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Coalmined Collateral




No singing birds
in this darkness ~

gaping, gasping,
rasping breath wretched,
heinous & sulphorous as it
swallows souls, hiding
cinders, embers, diamonds & death.

Profits are maximized
at the company store
while Prophets are taunted
with dismay & destruction
gathering for the feast.

We kneel before the altered altar 
of this ancient crevasse
& pray

these fiery gases
won't steal
the marrow
from our bloody bones.




          ~ July 12, 2006
               11:50 p.m.


Author notes


Written July 13th, 2006

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Comments

1 - 42 of 42

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    I hear ya, Z. ~ that's called "runnin' a great defense"

  • Zayra Yves gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    Thanks Dear Wanda. And, believe me I have been called every name in the book. In fact, I think a few nasty names have been made up in my honor, just like a few good ones too. And, what they dont' call me, I just might call myself before they get to me.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    "Witch bitch betty"??? Oh, my God...surely no one has ever called you something so horrid... If they have, tell me; I'll kick their ass for ya. Sweetheart, you are Infinite Grace itself. When I worked at the college library, a few of the professors referred to my "genius"...funny...my family always thought I was an idiot... I am like you in that, Zayra; I fluctuate from somewhere in the middle. People often comment on my "style change"...not just lately, but periodically. We must evolve as writers or perish, I think. My work has changed so much in the past 2 years, largely because of reading such great writers such as yourself, Nicolette, shewolfnative, Pinhead...ohhh, so many others...For your contribution to this, & for your friendship, I thank you profusely, Lady..couldn't have done it without ya, Z.

  • Zayra Yves gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    Oh, I know what you mean about not being "pollyanna's cousin" and not wanting to be put in a box. The problem around here is people just have a tendancy to polarize into good verses evil. But what is real about that? The reality is most of us live somewhere in the middle of those polarities. I am not pollyanna but I am not witch bitch betty every day either. I like the choice of the word "limiting" in your last comment too. I am also shaking off the limits in my life and writing, otherwise I am so bored that I get into trouble1

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    Expect the unexpected & you shall have it, Lady. Thank you for your kind words, Sapphire Sky. I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    Thank you kindly, m'Dear. My newest in your other contest, "Bitter Roots", will surprise you, too, I think. Rob was a bit surprised by "Howling Across the Horizon" yesterday. I've done a few lately that have defied my previous "definitions", which were limiting & inaccurate anyway. I am not Pollyanna's cousin, contrary to popular opinion. I appreciate your gracious words, Zayra. "Not that anything you write lacks passion, mind you, because it is so full of passion that it could get up and walk down the street all by itself"??? Ohhh, I love you even more now... Thank you for hosting another great contest, my Friend... Wanda

  • Zayra Yves gold member
    July 18, 2006
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    You are on to something here Wanda and I like this idea you have of jumping outside of your box and writing something with more umph under it. Not that anything you write lacks passion, mind you, because it is so full of passion that it could get up and walk down the street all by itself, so much as you seldom express the venom or anger in life. It is refreshing to read something like this from you. I have noticed at AP it is easy to get pigeoned into one style and the favorites only want to read that one style, so kudos to you for breaking your own mold with some punch.

  • July 17, 2006
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    this is not what i expected from you lol...but it has been awhile since i have read your poetry this closely...this poem is tight and full of burning irony, like a lot of pain too...thank you for sharing it...i really enjoyed it....

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 16, 2006
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    Thank you for seeing so well, my Sister...Very few have your gift of sight, Dear Lady... Wanda

  • CarolDesjarlais silver member
    July 16, 2006
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    OMG, this is powerful. You absolutely open up your wounded palces and make something of beatuy in the marks that are left. Incredible, gf, simply incredible.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 15, 2006
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    Thank you, Robbwindow.I appreciate your time & thoughtful words. Be well, Poet. Wanda

  • Robbwindow
    July 15, 2006
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    Deep down I see the marrow affected, nice.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 14, 2006
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    High praise, indeed, from one who inspires so many so often, Scribe...Thank you, Rich...I appreciate ya, my Friend... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 14, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Lone Wolf 97...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your thoughtful comments, Walt...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, devotionemotion...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda
  • Turtledove
    July 13, 2006
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    Excellent

    Worst Catastrophy known to man...his own self destruction...so beautifully, yet sadly recited here. Gives me the creeps. I watched a film on the making of the Bomb last night, the first one exploded in New Mexico back in the forties. To think we used that horrendous thing on our fellow man. Now, we are threatened not so much by the bomb...but mankind itself. People so bloody well tired of our baneful leadership and existence that they want to destroy each and every American alive. Catastrophic proportions of reality that is here in your poem...alluded to in every sense of the word. A very sobering write. Beautifully worded as always. But frightening to me. Walt.

  • Rented Emotion
    July 13, 2006
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    interesting poem. I like the flow and the way you chose to place your words. Diction was lovely and the background fits so well...
    Edited on Jul 13, 9:54 p.m. because 'forgot a T'.

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, breakingXwithXwords...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, LadySirena...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, neoladyem...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you, David...I'm pleased I could surprise you a lil', my Friend... Wanda

  • kaibab silver member
    July 13, 2006
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    Sixteen tons of fossiled flesh
    to squeeze life into energy
    to move the thirst forward
    in our growing emptiness...

    a thought provoking write...
    from a thought inspiring lady...great job...

  • Lone Wolf 97
    July 13, 2006
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    Excellent

    “We work the black seam together” I really enjoyed this write. It brought to mind many things and many possibilities. Nicely done… Thanks for that…

  • breakingXwithXwords
    July 13, 2006
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    great

    very dark. i love the images and how the words flowed. you really captured darkness. well well done. thank you for sharing and keep up the writing!

  • RavenChild
    July 13, 2006
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    WOW impressive! great imagery the flow smooth. I love this write very deep and disturbing well done

  • neoladyem
    July 13, 2006
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    Whoa! This poem is creepy. It makes me want to go hide under bed with my favorite stuff animal. You did a great job combining a lot of dark elements to it.
  • Stu Pididiot
    July 13, 2006
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    powerful

    Passionate and powerful, Night hope. I didn't expect this dark and disturbing piece from you, but that just shows your versatility. Best of luck in the contest!

    David Michaels

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Sighhh... I love ya, Muddy. I'm sorry if it hit a lil' too close to the bone, my Friend. I hear about coal mine disasters & find it hard to believe that anyone would descend into the pits of Hell, but we must do what we have to in order to survive, especially if it's "the only game in town", as it usually is. I was also thinking about the pits of despair. Unrelenting depression that won't release us from its interminable bonds. There are a lot of variations on darkness, a lot of examples of Hell on Earth, as you well know. This is just a glimpse of one of 'em. Your words mean a great deal to me, Richard, especially in light of your familial experience. Thank you for your consistent kindness & support, Scribe. I appreciate you immensely. Wanderer

  • MuddyKing silver member
    July 13, 2006
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    I like the images you used to bring this to life. I am letting this build inside me for a bit before I enter. My papaw died from the black dust and I'm just home from a family reunion, where we all shared stories about miners. I was raised in coal country and I think you have done a marvelous job with this piece.
    peace and hugs
    Richard

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    From being considered as Pollyanna's cousin... People are accustomed to my consistent messages of Light & Hope, so I thought I'd throw a kicker in the mix... Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, kuliraga...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Toni...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...As I told Annalise, I get the feeling sometimes that (certain) people seem to think I'm Pollyanna's cousin or somethin'...Welllll...I'm not... I have a few "tricks" up my veritable sleeve... Fortunately, or unfortunately, as the case may be, I tend to post so many all the damned time, ya gotta watch for 'em...blink & ya miss 'em & all that... I appreciate ya, Lady...& get yourself on in here, Girl...you're a grand writer...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • kuliraga
    July 13, 2006
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    Fire and brimstone. I don't know the character from which you are departing, but you've descended into this particular pulpit rather readily. I particularly like the last stanza. Well done!

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for reading & for your kind comments, Shattered Existence...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you for your kind comments, Azul Mariposa...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...I'm trying to stretch my literary wings a bit...I don't wanna get entrenched in the same old routine...I'm glad you thought I succeeded in that on this one...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • July 13, 2006
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    A very powerful and descriptive piece Well done ...
  • Azul Mariposa
    July 13, 2006
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    you show that you are a versitile writer here......very well done. You capture the reader with your intense words and make them feel the fire with this piece. Awsome job.

  • Toni A Christman
    July 13, 2006
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    This is a very powerful poem, Wanda. And, yeah.. it's a little bitsy shocking coming from you. I don't want you to think I underestimate you, though... LOL. My favorite parts are the altar and crevasses - great images! Kind of like the gates of hell would be (not that I've seen that ). The whole poem is full of great images. I'm thinking of entering, but now that I've read yours... I'm going to have to think harder to come up with a suitable poem. Best of luck in the competition. Toni

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Thank you, lynn...I'm pleased you enjoyed it...Be well, Poet... Wanda

  • July 13, 2006
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    well said and point extremlely well written!!!
    so sad and yet so true and your words speak
    volumes and with such passion of the consequences
    of greed.
    incredible writing and a very important read!!!
    lynn

  • Night Hope gold member
    July 13, 2006
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    Yeahhh, I kicked 'er to the curb for awhile. Thanks, Meli. I think I've shocked most of my Friends this week. Wanda

  • Annalise
    July 13, 2006
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    Well, it seems as if Pollyanna has been banished to the corner for a while.

    Ooohhh! I really like this.

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