by Kushal Poddar
Member since:
January 19, 2008

a face off with life (Face Off Challenge)

April 15, 2009 09:37 PM EDT (Updated: April 15, 2009 10:35 PM EDT)
views: 177 | comments: 48

 

a face off  with life

(To Roger)

Have you shared fire with him, a vagabond

who does not talk of his hidden callous pains

because he stutters? As a tiny earthling moves

away from his burning questions made out of

packing cases, litters and splinters rise, rises heat; -

he drinks life from a cheap bottle which any day

can be poisoned like the eyes of a constable

who has left a cold wife back in his house of

warm summer nights. The country liquor charms him

and he wants to pass the bottle to a buddy

who will hang on to it as a thread, pick it up

and weave an one sided chronicle out of it.

The night on the deserted market comes alive.

 

 

 

Memories of the day are scrambled here and there.

The rumors of fall are whispering in the ears

of markets, buildings, edifices. Only he,

a vagabond, has no interest in them.

He drinks to his life again lamenting for a friend.

© 2009 - All Rights Reserved Kushal Poddar

 

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Comments: 48

Georgiana S. Apr 15, 2009, 9:49pm EDT
some people need very little excuse for drinking their lives away!
Ralph P. Apr 15, 2009, 9:54pm EDT
What a great write Poddar, He drinks to his life again lamenting for a friend...great
Christine G. Apr 15, 2009, 10:09pm EDT
Thanks for sharing.
Bard Constantine Apr 15, 2009, 10:19pm EDT
Liquor is the elixir to purge painful memories. Your storytelling is exquisite.
John F Walter Apr 15, 2009, 10:33pm EDT
Sharply honed descriptions flesh out this detailed character sketch of a poem--I am reminded of Manet´s post impressionist canvases of the absinthe drinkers, superimposed on an Indian cityscape.
You show tremendous empathy and skill, poddar, in observing the gestures, as well as the state of consciousness, of this sad figure of the marketplace who seeks refuge in his own futile nepenthe.

I have one tiny suggestion: ¨Only he, a vagabond, has no interest in them.¨ The line enjambs better with the very slight grammatical and punctuation changes I recommend.

To your health. I take a deep breath, and get drunk on full Presence.
Nancy Biri Apr 15, 2009, 10:33pm EDT
Nice
norene t. Apr 15, 2009, 10:42pm EDT
Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly Ripley Apr 15, 2009, 10:57pm EDT
This is so sad and occurs far more often than we like to imagine. You've touched upon a hard subject with eloquence. You are a master of poetry!
Dana W. Apr 15, 2009, 10:57pm EDT
Thank you so very much for posting to the New Stuff groups! Here to view comment and rate.MySpace Thank You Comments
MySpace Comments
Jennifer Lee Apr 15, 2009, 11:25pm EDT
I concur with Kimberly and would only like to add that I've known someone like the man you describe. Alcohol abuse destroys lives. Thank you for posting to our group. Your genius never ceases to amaze!
Jo N. Apr 15, 2009, 11:37pm EDT
Very nice!
Angie O. Apr 15, 2009, 11:44pm EDT
Sad but true, very good!
JOHN BECK Apr 16, 2009, 12:09am EDT
Those who have the least have the least to lose. He's made his bed.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Apr 16, 2009, 12:17am EDT
to tackle with rare subjects is your talent and you do it gracefully.
Shelbia C. Apr 16, 2009, 1:19am EDT
wonderful writing
Shelbia C. Apr 16, 2009, 1:19am EDT
Thanks for posting to Writing Reservoir
Kimber F. Apr 16, 2009, 1:19am EDT
You always manage to tug some type of heart string in me with your writing. This is no exception. Very well described and shared. Peace
Svetlana Goryacheva Apr 16, 2009, 1:59am EDT
Very, very good one, dear Poddar! :-)

Blessings and best wishes - S.
EDWINA (MISSIE) B. Apr 16, 2009, 3:22am EDT

Glitterfy.com - Glitter Graphics FOR SHARING
Connie H. Apr 16, 2009, 8:10am EDT
Thats great, thanks for sharing it.
Mary Ann S. Apr 16, 2009, 8:31am EDT
Very elegant.
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 16, 2009, 9:44am EDT
I love the last stanza. I can't think of a btter poetic summation of being stuck at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Ann M. (Site Scryer) Apr 16, 2009, 9:46am EDT
Hmmm... no one has featured this yet. That's unusual!

You are now featured at The Surreal Circus.
Gessy D. Apr 16, 2009, 10:07am EDT
Very nice
Kathryn E. Apr 16, 2009, 1:27pm EDT
I am often saddened when I read something of yours, Kushal, but I am often uplifted at the same time.

Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Elizabeth H. Apr 16, 2009, 1:54pm EDT
That was sad, but wonderfully written.
Terry Collett Apr 16, 2009, 2:39pm EDT
You are an excellent poet. This poem confirms that for me.
Chas Andrews Apr 16, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
thanks!
Sheila Deeth Apr 16, 2009, 6:03pm EDT
Sad, but so descriptive and sympathetically, beautifully told.
Nathan Schauer Apr 16, 2009, 8:47pm EDT
This is a mind blowing display of your expert handling of image - all of which weave into great poetry.

I think this is possibly the best work I have read by you - its remarkable - and shows clearly your talent.
Barbra L. Apr 16, 2009, 10:23pm EDT
Poddar: You have captured the identifying nature of the vagabond with insightful compassion coupled with entombed thoughtfulness. This hauntingly juxtapositional line below radiates with luminous intensity: He drinks to his life again lamenting for a friend...
Angela A. Apr 16, 2009, 11:07pm EDT
To live is to keep warmth with you at all times.
Love the poem, Poddar!
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting
EDWINA (MISSIE) B. Apr 17, 2009, 12:34am EDT
VERY NICE
Elsie Duggan Apr 17, 2009, 2:34am EDT
I echo all the comments above Poddar, excellent poetry and writing.
blaine d. Apr 17, 2009, 1:14pm EDT
very nicely done!
Haim Kadman Apr 17, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
Beautiful metaphors make that poem unique, your typical and exceptional style can't be mistaken.
Joan D. Apr 18, 2009, 7:08am EDT
Cannot add more, beautifully done, as usual. Always look forward to your works.
Susan B. Apr 18, 2009, 8:53am EDT
Very thoughty!
Barbara B. Apr 18, 2009, 5:53pm EDT
It seems that everyone has touched on what I was
about to say my dear friend. I will be waiting for more
of your marvelous writings.

Hugs, Barbie
Howard b. Apr 18, 2009, 9:22pm EDT
So many lives are affected by this. They not only destroy their lives but their familys. I know people that can't stop drinking to their lives. Great write poddar.
Barbara M. Apr 20, 2009, 6:16pm EDT
"he drinks life from a cheap bottle"
I like this line...well done, Poddar!

Thank you for sharing with READING BOOKS ONLINE!
Felicia R. Apr 21, 2009, 9:36am EDT
Thanks for sharing
Paula C. May 2, 2009, 2:43am EDT
I wanted to let you know that I had stopped by to check out what you’ve recently shared with all of us here at gather.
Since I’m in the middle of Finals week, I hate to admit, but I must give in to the temptation of leaving a generic comment
But to give it a little personal touch, I added some artwork for you to enjoy!


<font size="1">MySpace Glitters</font>
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Jul 10, 2009, 10:24pm EDT

very good
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Jul 13, 2009, 10:35pm EDT

Thanks for posting on Getting to 3000 Together
Richard Lynn Livesay Jul 18, 2009, 10:15pm EDT
reminds me of some "shady " places I've been where "less repuatable souls were sitting in the allies shadows, passing wine bottles. Your words touch the soul dear poet..

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