black as the bellies of crows
full and stretched and without
need

black as Orion's shadow
crouched under the moon
where purple flowers
grow

black as tire marks
on freeway walls

black as the smell
of coffee

black as life
when death is not available

I would love to hear you read this one Tiko

what a collection of images....nice ending too - Michelle

imagine if Mr. Snuffleupagus was reading it.  that's me!
'heeey biiirrrrd'. :0)

thanks for the read and input.

tiko

It's a pick for me, but I won't be greedy and take it yet - I should let some others read it...lol

M

i blush like 'Telly' too.

thanks,

tiko

Just bloody great, Tiko. If I weren't on leave I'd be apicking of it. But, of course, Michelle or another will send it up to where it deserves to be.

milner

This is fine, very fine.

Gentlemen,

i am honored! 
it's time for a cigar!
except it's raining!  :-\


thanks for the pick, Jay.

thanks,

tiko

wow, tiko, what great compliments, and it's an awesome poem, the last two lines quotable.

good job,
cheryl

thanks, Cheryl. 

quotable...such a fine thing to say.

thanks,

tiko

to quote milner, "bloody great" tiko... my friend you've penned a gem... a black diamond.  those last lines are flying round my house like bats on a mission!

what a stroke of genius to lead in to those incredible closing lines with the familiar tang of coffee  :)

k

there are no short memories here.  :)

thanks Kevin.  glad this connected with you.

i'll be expecting pictures of those bats! 
I hope they find their way into one
of your poems.


thanks,

tiko
 

Tiko, love that S1 here too. Being "without need" has brought something beautiful tugging at my memory but I can't quite put my finger on what it is, or it may be one of those phrases that just seems like it's always existed. Tom

Tom,

thanks.  glad you liked it.
and, you will have to bring
the memory to my attention
when you've reeled it in

thanks,

tiko.

My first hunch took me to the Song of Solomon, but though the spirit of your S1 does reverb well with SoS, the closest line I see there is "Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor"!

tiko -- ditto all praise above. 

thanks, Lynn.

tiko

Very pleased to have found this.  Love the biblical title, the voice, the language...it's fab.

a most enjoyable writ that left me wanting more in the end

cheers

james

congrats, Tiko! Tom

Thanks, Tiko

D




.

excellent

Sue,

oh my.  thanks.  i'm honored.
i thought i was on the wrong page for a sec.
 
thanks everyone for the kind words.

tiko

Congrats on your Front Page placement, Tiko.

Best Wishes,

d

Tiko,  Nice to find this poem on the front door this morning - I love this one - M

Love how all this darkness leads to light.

Desiree, Michelle, Doris,

thanks so much.  

FOR A VERY LIMITED TIME, i've posted a recording (as Michelle Requested).
you can click just click on the link.

http://home.comcast.net/~klewis012/i am.wav



tiko

Thanks for that experience, love the accent again! Really makes me hear how flat expat accents get.

Big smile from me

much enjoyed this piece
congratulations, tiko


Stella

Fantastic Tiko!  Thanks for posting it - M

tiko, a delight to find this on the front page..... it is a precious gem

k

Stella,

thanks.

and, thank Kevin and Michelle for
helping me build collect the marbles
to record it.

tiko

that's a great reading of this poem, Tiko, inflecting what needs inflecting, muting what needs muting. Tom

There it is!  I knew it would be.  What a wonderful front pager.  And the reading is great.  I think Tom's right about the inflecting and muting.  Wonderful job!

cheryl

I like very much to see this poem on the front page, Tiko. Congrats! And the line "...when death is not available" is very effective.
Vasile

Tiko, this is splendid, deserving of Front page and hearing your rich, deep voice made it so very much more!

tiko the weight of your voice that accompanies the piece fits well.  really dig that final stanza, especially the use of 'unavailable' in that instance.  sharp pick for the front page, a much enjoyed poem tiko.  lawrence

an excellent delivery through and through

cheers

james

just realized there was an audio link ~
superb reading, tiko

Stella

thanks all. i was very leery about adding the audio.
i'm glad it worked out.

thanks,

tiko

Fabulous

Pam