Sunday, February 11, 2018

Purple

Purple

On faux seas
float
with no hope to sink
and no need for wind.
The hull carries the loot
of 1000 mardi gras beads.
Potholes on the road
crash as waves on the bow.
Planks of paper
soften in the rain,
revealing the dark machine
underneath.

-Robert L. Jackson III




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18 comments:

  1. Magical Mystical TeacherFebruary 11, 2018 at 6:27 AM

    It seems that under many gleaming exteriors darkness lies in wait.

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  2. brudbergFebruary 11, 2018 at 8:10 AM

    So many times we find that life is just a stage set hiding damp and darkness... may we find the sea with words.

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  3. DonnaFebruary 11, 2018 at 9:10 AM

    Perhaps because purple is a favorite color, I am reading this a bit differently....seeing a Mardi Gras parade described in beautiful metaphors...a warning of the darkness such revelry can bring.

    Donna@LivingFromHappiness

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  4. Sherry Blue SkyFebruary 11, 2018 at 9:19 AM

    What a beautiful ship model that is. I enjoyed the poem very much.

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  5. ZQFebruary 11, 2018 at 11:55 AM

    Cool!
    ZQ

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  6. TruedessaFebruary 11, 2018 at 1:05 PM

    on faux seas - darkness may or may not lurk, perhaps it is all about perspective. Interesting read...

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  7. colleenFebruary 11, 2018 at 1:11 PM

    I was surprised by the entrance of mardi gras beads. I just went to a mardi gras party last night.

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  8. Rosemary Nissen-WadeFebruary 11, 2018 at 1:15 PM

    But – as Sherry also says – what a beautiful model ship! It inspires me immediately to conjure imaginary seas. Maybe "imaginary" is not the same as "faux"? But life and adventure, I suppose, must include the risk of sinking or being becalmed. Well, may our planks of paper have poems on them which, even if rain-softened or tear-stained, may act as magic charms to keep us afloat.

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  9. ✿February 11, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    This is fantastic. I understand how you mean it, but I choose to read the title as hiding "pure play" as your float hides a machine. But so what? That doesn't have to be sad or fake; that can also be to the children's/leaders' credit for being imaginative and excited to have fun, even if it rains and even if there are bumps in the road.

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  10. Wendy BourkeFebruary 11, 2018 at 4:45 PM

    'man and machine' seems to be a somewhat recurring theme that informs much of your work - which I find fascinating, intriguing and really, really cool. Another brilliant piece of writing, Rob.

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    Replies
    1. Rob JacksonFebruary 11, 2018 at 6:08 PM

      It could be the engineer in me revealing itself. Thanks for the encouragement.

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  11. tonispencerFebruary 11, 2018 at 6:12 PM

    The darkness under the softening paper...

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  12. Myrna R.February 11, 2018 at 6:26 PM

    To me purple is the color of mourning. So I thought of the paper softening to expose the machine and for some reason this made me sad. Still, I like your poem because sadness is such a part of life.

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  13. Old EggFebruary 12, 2018 at 3:16 AM

    What a satisfying hobby is modelling usually tried as kids then when older and keener produce such wonderful models such one illustrated. Curiously my son is an avid modeller so I can enjoy his work without worrying about the fiddly bits myself.

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  14. Sanaa RizviFebruary 12, 2018 at 3:56 AM

    Brilliant write!!

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  15. Gillena CoxFebruary 12, 2018 at 7:08 AM

    Perfect capture of the Mardi Gras with its yin and yang qualities

    much love...

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  16. Gillena CoxFebruary 12, 2018 at 7:08 AM

    Monday WRites is live Please link in

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  17. Susan AndersonFebruary 12, 2018 at 12:27 PM

    A dark reminder of the seamy side beneath it all. Well captured.

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