There's a mystery in this that I like, Janet. My slash n burn version:
{title: mood-swing}
black cockatoos land on the barest branches
and call: Maria! Maria!
ravens hide, waiting until later to show me their
shined-up black leather
so much beauty available
I'm writing about real birds
like anyone does when that's what there is
but this is as close to depression as a mind like mine can get
because I looked at something dark and kind of lost
I like the smell of it in my eyesockets and want
to go off into it
I leave the dirty dishes to the cockroaches
and go out trying to see the shape of it
in other people's faces and bodies
but the dishes just wait for me
and there's washing to hang
toys to pick up
and people wanting to love me
and money to earn
and spend
on food
and clothing
and
maintenance
----- Original Message -----
From: "Janet Jackson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 11:22 PM
Subject: poem 'maintenance'
> something I'm working on. comments welcome!
>
> *maintenance*
>
> The weather mood-swings. The Australian bush and
> English gardens, jarrahs and marris and
> autumn-acorned oaks, drip and glisten in
> this morning's filtered fire
>
> The magpies carol to it,
> wagtails chirrup to it,
> black cockatoos, widewinged, soar,
> land on the barest branches and call: Maria! Maria!
> My favourites the ravens are hiding,
> waiting until later to show me their
> shined-up black-leather stealth.
>
> So much beauty is available
> and I'm writing about real birds
> like anyone does when that's what there is
> But this is as close to depression as a mind like mine can get
>
> Because I looked at something dark and kind of lost
> and I liked the smell of it in my eyesockets and I wanted
> to go off into it
>
> I leave the dirty dishes to the cockroaches
> and go out trying to see the shape of it
> in other people's faces and bodies
>
> but the dishes just wait for me
> and there's washing to hang
>
> I've been reading and reading
> trying to find the words of it
> playing and singing
> trying to hear the noise of it
>
> but there's toys to pick up
> and people wanting to love me
> and money to earn
> and spend
> on food
> and clothing
> and
>
> maintenance
>
> --
> Janet Jackson <[log in to unmask]>
> www.proximity.webhop.net (Poetry)
> www.myspace.com/poetjj (Includes occasional arts & culture blog)
>
> The Line Mine, bulletin board for Perth poetry & spoken word:
> [log in to unmask]
> groups.yahoo.com/group/thelinemine
>
> Breastfeeding info & help: www.breastfeeding.asn.au
>
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