a strong chair to sit in
almost far away
she found
an almost disaster
supported by almost
anything but hope
and she saw
with eyes almost open
an (almost)
ordinary life
filter down
through the years
sing song and
pretending
everything
is okay
almost good
almost bad
almost pretty
almost happy
almost broken
almost beaten
almost
turned inside out
almost drunk
almost delivered
angry
almost bitter
hurt
almost fragile
vulnerable
almost hopeful
invisible
almost old
deprived
and
hanging there
in between
every almost
that existed
growing round
like a vine
clinging hard
hanging on
was always
the white space
almost never
of escape
.
.
.
I found this photo on flickr and was immediately, almost creepily, drawn to it.
The original is here. Poem title is a line from a favorite Cowboy Junkies song.
.
A poem a day for 30 days. In honor of National Poetry Month, this post is
part of NaPoWriMo. see more here. And also dVerse poets Open Link Night, join us!
April 24th, 2012 at 9:15 am
The tension lies in the almost. Fantastic reflection of all those things we were, we are and we will be…but almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades… 😉 wonderful weave for OpenLinkNight…and we’re in the home stretch for NaPoWriMo…go Poet go!
April 24th, 2012 at 9:50 am
the pretending is like sitting in a three legged chair feeling secure…horseshoes & hand grenades of ‘almost’ in the air already…
April 24th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Wow. That white space will haunt me; this poem will linger in my mind for quite a while. Surreal, sets the mood exquisitely.
April 24th, 2012 at 11:14 am
where you find these words and thoughts simply amazes me and leaves me spellbound.
in my fondest…
April 24th, 2012 at 11:15 am
Had me catching my breath…That “almost” space is hard to negotiate, an d so many humans do so.
Beautiful, Kelly.
April 24th, 2012 at 11:32 am
you have no idea how much this speaks to me…loved it
April 24th, 2012 at 11:35 am
This is great…an (almost)
ordinary life
filter down
through the years
sing song and
pretending
everything
is okay…..loved it!
April 24th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I’ve seen so much of the almost, and didn’t recognize it until now.
April 24th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Many of us lead ‘almost lives’, don’t we. I found myself thinking are we nearly there? and then wondering about nearly versus almost and thinking, thinking…all sorts of things.
Very intriguing poem, Kelly.
April 24th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
In addition to the images and ideas expressed in this piece, you tied it so well (no pun intended, really) with its design. Like that twining vine. Really great, Kelly!!! 🙂 xo
April 24th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Wow, I love the picture and poem, how poignant life is a bit like that chair…on edge almost. I love this and the title is terrific!
April 24th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I found this a refreshing view on what many days are like for most of us.This resonated big time as a wonderful write.Thank you.
April 24th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
the almost concept got to me too
apollo and the two muses
April 24th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Oh, this just moved. I love it, a list with motion. Great technique. Very effective and flows so well. Thanks
April 24th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
When you think about it, there are so many who do live this way. Such high hopes and dreams and the reality is, almost a nightmare for them
I could almost feel the sadness in that chair.
April 24th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
You make it clear just how almost is all we have, too damn much of the time, yet that some things would be beyond our ability to stand if we had them in their fullness, and how we somehow survive in that zone in between. Fine poem.
April 24th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
“almost…” has stopped so many of us going beyond just that… powerful poem.. and that pic is creepy and beautiful all at once…
April 24th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
What a brilliant write this is! It evokes many emotions, all in response to the chair hanging in time, like so many lives. A piece of creative bliss.
April 24th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Excellent, the repetition works, drives the point home.
April 24th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Wonderful poem. Clever idea, movingly written. K.
April 24th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Very effective use of repetition… and that white space.
Well done.
April 24th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Almost didn’t leave a comment, almost had to much fun, as I almost didn’t know what to type. Almost but not quite..haha…really liked the playful yet deeper meaning, at least I almost did.
April 24th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
I almost didn’t make it here today. And now am glad that I did. xo
April 24th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
crap. you made me cry. that’s how good you are – you see right into me.
April 24th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
I think this is wonderful. I really like how everything is “almost” just like the wheels are going to come off any minute now. Great!
April 25th, 2012 at 5:58 am
This was wonderful. The repetition adds great power to this.
This was very frightening…
Playfully done yet at the same time speaking of something darker and deeper…
I am too familiar with that “almost”.
Eek. Giving me shivers here.
Great write!
April 25th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Love the form and repetition here. I really enjoy “list” types of poems, and yours is very moving.
April 25th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
“Almost”… what a simple yet beautiful concept, and therein lies the brilliance of this piece. Nice write.