Many years ago, a sigarette
an extension of my arm
running from routine
clouded by smoke
evenings filled with
dance and disco lights
Smoke on the dance floor
Filling the emptiness
Not knowing how to feel
how to deal with life
not knowing where to go
knowing why and how
living in the now,
not a child
not a child
anymore
Graving for that one beau
to drown in brown eyes
Or deep blue would do
To dance, laugh, levitate
on the release of blissful butterflies
velvet red wings spilling into the air
till the prince disappeared into the dark
till the prince disappeared into the dark
love spell broken
leaving me with booze in one
Tobacco in the other hand
living in la la land
I think the coolest people smoke(d) - you have captured that spirit here wonderfully
ReplyDeleteThanks Jae Rose
DeleteYes, they were cool, but at what cost?
DeleteThose Dutch guys are very cute:)I think we all lived in la la land in those days. Memories !
ReplyDeleteThey are actually from Belgium :) Yes great memories
Deletethere's a kind of joy of freedom in the lines, and also that dark reality...well portrayed...
ReplyDeleteThanks As susan pointed out back then it didn't seem dark but powerful
DeleteI can see that person, trying to be gay while waiting for the prince to appear........nice to meet you at Poets United.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry
DeleteWere you aware of the emptiness then? Your poem brings me back--so vivid--but back then it felt to me like identity and power. Later I realized how empty the act and how big the stage.
ReplyDeleteGreat point You are right. I wasn't aware of the emptiness back then. It is my current reflection :)
DeleteA spot-on depiction of youth and fun times.
ReplyDeleteThanks Khaya
DeleteThose were the days...carefree and ignorant days of smoking, dancing and "living in the now".
ReplyDeleteYou've done a good job in picturing life in la la land of 30 years ago.
Thanks lalaland had it's charms :)
DeleteThis took me back. The words successfully did their work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin
DeleteHi Marja - lovely photo ... while the words from days gone by - so true ... thank goodness I never smoked - but some vino yes! Good to read - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteA good time had and yes youth does things they shouldn't
DeleteAah, La La Land :)! The entire sequence was mapped out so beautifully, Marja! " ...release of blissful butterflies
ReplyDeletevelvet red wings spilling into the air" Beautiful lines...You took me back to my university days!
Thanks Panchali :)
DeleteAch ja wie rookte niet in die tijd, allemaal om er bij te horen. Ik herken dit wel, we zijn allemaal jong en onzeker geweest. Leuke foto!
ReplyDeleteDankje Die goed oude tijd Veel schik gehad
ReplyDeleteA sort of sad poem but well written.
ReplyDeleteLove your write Marja! The things we do in our youth! I believe we were under the impression that we were having a good time, having fun....thinking nothing of impermanence. I remember my very first time trying a cigarette behind the delicatessen that belonged to my father's friend. She procured the smokes, we were never caught and I never smoked again until an adult, which I have long since stopped years past. Hope you are doing well and nice to see you writing.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you are entering some of your poems into competitions Marja.
ReplyDeleteThey are very visual! Love the photo too.
Take care
Peggy xxxx
thank very much :) All my poems are on my blog and therefore have been published which means you can't enter them for a competition.
DeleteI've been there myself, Marja, but I could never write about it like that. Thank heavens those days are behind us!
ReplyDelete