The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Sun 1/1/06) [View All]

[RetroLounge]

Ode to Sadness

Sadness, scarab
with seven crippled feet,
spiderweb egg,
scramble-brained rat,
bitch's skeleton:
No entry here.
Don't come in.
Go away.
Go back
south with your umbrella,
go back
north with your serpent's teeth.
A poet lives here.
No sadness may
cross this threshold.
Through these windows
comes the breath of the world,
fresh red roses,
flags embroidered with
the victories of the people.
No.
No entry.
Flap
your bat's wings,
I will trample the feathers
that fall from your mantle,
I will sweep the bits and pieces
of your carcass to
the four corners of the wind,
I will wring your neck,
I will stitch your eyelids shut,
I will sew your shroud,
sadness, and bury your rodent bones
beneath the springtime of an apple tree.

Pablo Neruda

**************************

Since I watched the movie, Il Postino, last night, it is only proper to post a bit of Neruda. And this poem speaks to me today. Many thanks to all of you who helped me get thru a bad night last night, and for the emails, PM's and phone calls that reminded me that I am never alone and the world is full of good, loving people. This morning I am full of gratitude to be part of such a great community of souls. May sadness go away for all my friends here on DU and may it not be allowed to cross the thresholds of our homes in 2006.

Happy New years everyone!

RL