Friday, December 1, 2017

The Violent Bleak


Quicksand thugs my backbone with struggle
and I grieve October took you.

I can hold your voice in the palm
of my hand, raise a fist in rebellion,
rally against hell’s gate, but
fear brings a loaded weapon.

The Violent Bleak keep growing
an army of the demented.
Let me drink courage from your echo.

©Susie Clevenger 2017



Saying goodbye to Tom Petty was tough. I need an infusion of his grit to not back down.

Friday 55 ~ 12/1/17     &   Real Toads ~ A Skyflower Friday ~ Goodbye
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23 comments:

  1. hedgewitchDecember 1, 2017 at 3:52 PM

    This is as honed and sharp as a flint skinning knife--and as eloquent as the wrinkles in an old woman's face. I especially love the title, Susie--so apt, and this line: '...fear brings a loaded weapon..." and it fires point blank. Such a distilled taste of loss, and of the dismay we feel these days at each new dawn, wondering what will be taken--I grieve for the man, too. Thanks for showing us once again what 55 words can do.

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 3:57 AM

      Thank you.. It really hits when we lose such vital voices in these volcanic times we live in.

      Delete
  2. Magaly GuerreroDecember 1, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    Such a powerful last line. How good it would be to feed from the histories and examples of those who once were, to arm ourselves with the shadow of their courage, and then nurture it until it is pure energy.

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 3:59 AM

      Thank you.. I often go home to voices of those who have left this world for the courage to live now.

      Delete
  3. RommyDecember 1, 2017 at 4:53 PM

    Never underestimate the power of music to keep you motivated to fight the good fight. I Won't Back Down is one of my favorites in these troubled times too.

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:00 AM

      Yes, music can make us stronger when everything around us wants to tear us down.

      Delete
  4. Sherry Blue SkyDecember 1, 2017 at 6:43 PM

    The Violent Bleak and the army of the demented - yikes. Wonderful description. So many musicians lost in 2017.

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  5. Kerry O'ConnorDecember 1, 2017 at 8:26 PM

    Wow, Susie. Such passionate phrases! I love the ruthless brilliance of this monologue.

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  6. JimDecember 1, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    A very nice, heartfelt tribute to Petty. It oozes with a message of genuine loss.
    .. I like his "I won't back down" a lot. I dillied a bit to read up on him again. I hadn't realized your pick was released in 1989. I thought it was older. He and I had a lot in common, an abusive father (I haven't forgiven him, he reconcilled with his), a free spirit loosened (I had long hair, rode a motorcycle, which I parked under the trees in the park and listend to the various bands playing there, did things I don't mention, and finally was rescued by a loving second wife.)

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:08 AM

      Thank you There are songs that are so much of our personal history that when we hear them they take us back to when they were the music track of our lives. Music is so powerful.

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  7. Kim M. RussellDecember 2, 2017 at 12:54 AM

    There is something flinty and cutting about this poem, Susie, which made me sit up sharply and take notice on a dull winter morning when everything seems blurred. I love the opening line and the use of 'thug' as a verb, and the gestures in the second stanza. But I am disturbed by
    'The Violent Bleak keep growing
    an army of the demented'.
    Chilling.

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:10 AM

      Thank you When I started this blog, I wanted a place where I could get raw, get angry if needed, find my way through the jungle days we are living.

      Delete
  8. kaykualaDecember 2, 2017 at 2:18 AM

    I can hold your voice in the palm
    of my hand, raise a fist in rebellion,
    rally against hell’s gate, but
    fear brings a loaded weapon.

    Even though one wants to react in anger, it takes a braver heart to be more restrained as shown here. Brilliant reaction Susie!

    Hank

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:13 AM

      Thank you Anger has power, and it is necessary to vent it constructively.

      Delete
  9. Sanaa RizviDecember 2, 2017 at 4:49 AM

    There is such wisdom and power in your closing line, Susie. It's beautiful and something to hold on to in times of struggle.

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:13 AM

      Thank you I am certainly feeling the struggle these days.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousDecember 3, 2017 at 2:52 AM

    Quicksand is a raptor of a metaphor for the drowning sands of time -- or as you put it, the Violent Bleak of our times. But the fist remains raised -- we don't back down. Amen. - Brendan

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    1. Susie ClevengerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:14 AM

      Thank you I have too much of my mother in me to not fight against what assails us every day.

      Delete
  11. grapelingDecember 3, 2017 at 12:03 PM

    superb

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  12. FireblossomDecember 3, 2017 at 1:59 PM

    Tom Petty is always a fine choice. I want you to know that I really, really appreciated your comment on mine. Nothing makes me as crazy as someone who won't say SOMETHING.

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  13. MargaretDecember 5, 2017 at 10:20 AM

    great last line! May we all leave an echo that inspires!

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