And the word is...

[PrinceMyshkin]

Thank you, thank you prince. That was exactly the feeling I was going for. Tell me though, did you know right from the start that I was talking about lightning bugs? I just HAD to use names for them when I saw how close Coleoptera was to Cleopatra. What that has to do with anything I have no idea.

Would you like to choose the next word?

Well... how about a phrase: "sinful desires"? If you don't like that please choose anything else, I won't mind.

[ampoule]

I like that. Okay everyone, "sinful desires" it is...for you to write about not to act out...but of course, that's up to you isn't it....oh never mind, let's just 'hear' what you have to say.

[Adolescent09]

.............

[Adolescent09]

-for Carol


What fear hides in our skin has no faith in steel or design.

Through years it moves like water colors in rain,
mingles itself in moonlight, and gravity has its way,
pulling us into the dream where we have no wings.

And then there is the retrofit crew, the rusted plates
that bark like some ancient dog as the car passes over them,
a blessing in a way, drowning the Pacific waves
that sound so much like rushing air or the last whispers
of the day as we fall into sleep, hiding in the ear
like the ocean in a shell, the dark closet of falling.

Below the magnificence of the coast is a postcard,
but strength does not come from the book of splendor,
it is the breath of independence that takes in the world
and floats the blue palette of the sea in your open eyes.

I can swear I haven't seen a picture in words even half as aesthetic as this. You have a tremendous piece of work here, fire.

[ampoule]

Sinful Desires

He stood behind the counter, flashing his tricky smile.
"What can I get for you today?"
Thirty years later, she swallowed, and answered him.
She stood there like her great aunt Maude, starched and priggish,
"Your samples, please, I would like to see your samples."
Another smile, "But, of course."
She watched, without looking, as he knelt to gather a gadget-filled box.
When he arose she was saying something about supple knees,
But it was far back, behind her breath, behind her real thoughts.
Holding her pocketbook, she leaned slightly forward, "May I see? Can you place them on the counter here for me?"
His smile was different now, not from the bother, but from the care.
He watched her face as he carefully placed each fragile sample in front of her.
No sound left her mouth.
No expression changed her face,
But he was sure he saw her eyes well-up and the breathing in her chest stop.
He continued his explanations, his expert salesmanship.
She watched as he hovered over one exquisite piece and the nuance of his fingers made her say, "That one........yes, that one. I will take that one please."
"Let me wrap it for you."
When he returned, she had all of the bills straightened, all of the coins stacked in perfect order.
As he took the final payment from her, he could not help himself.
He touched her finger so very, very slightly.
She did not withdraw it like he thought she would,
But slowly, she gathered her bundle and said thank you.
"Thank YOU," he replied.
Not wanting her to go he quickly said, "Is there anything else?"
"No, not really." And thirty years later she said,
"I must rush home now and think about this."

[PrinceMyshkin]

Sinful Desires

He stood behind the counter, flashing his tricky smile.
"What can I get for you today?"
Thirty years later, she swallowed, and answered him.
She stood there like her great aunt Maude, starched and priggish,
"Your samples, please, I would like to see your samples."
Another smile, "But, of course."
She watched, without looking, as he knelt to gather a gadget-filled box.
When he arose she was saying something about supple knees,
But it was far back, behind her breath, behind her real thoughts.
Holding her pocketbook, she leaned slightly forward, "May I see? Can you place them on the counter here for me?"
His smile was different now, not from the bother, but from the care.
He watched her face as he carefully placed each fragile sample in front of her.
No sound left her mouth.
No expression changed her face,
But he was sure he saw her eyes well-up and the breathing in her chest stop.
He continued his explanations, his expert salesmanship.
She watched as he hovered over one exquisite piece and the nuance of his fingers made her say, "That one........yes, that one. I will take that one please."
"Let me wrap it for you."
When he returned, she had all of the bills straightened, all of the coins stacked in perfect order.
As he took the final payment from her, he could not help himself.
He touched her finger so very, very slightly.
She did not withdraw it like he thought she would,
But slowly, she gathered her bundle and said thank you.
"Thank YOU," he replied.
Not wanting her to go he quickly said, "Is there anything else?"
"No, not really." And thirty years later she said,
"I must rush home now and think about this."

How STUPID I feel because I truly don't know what those samples are, and without that am I qualified to say how bloody marvellous I think this is?

But wait! Don't disclose what those samples are until a few of the other folk have had a chance to say if they care to and hen you wuill know whether you need to hint more at it or not. BUt let me mention again: this is so good!

[PrinceMyshkin]

That certain spot
to the left of your left breast...

The way you’d regress
to the manner
of a sexually precocious girl

The way you turned off the bedside lamp
the first time you undressed for me
and let me turn it on again

The time I first entered you
too soon
but no matter when
it would have been too soon

and never soon enough...

[firefangled]

Oh you are a tease!! I won't sleep tonight trying to figure this out.

[firefangled]

It's those samples I'm talking about. What an intriguing poem....hmmmmmm

[firefangled]

I think it is more intriguing not knowing what the samples are. A wonderfully captivating poem. In its mystery this is like some of Wallace Stevens' poetry, where you are not sure what he is getting at, but you are hooked nonetheless.

I will have to think about this for thirty years before I dare post something in its wake.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Oh you are a tease!! I won't sleep tonight trying to figure this out.

You mean number 21 surely, not mine?

[ampoule]

How STUPID I feel because I truly don't know what those samples are, and without that am I qualified to say how bloody marvellous I think this is?

But wait! Don't disclose what those samples are until a few of the other folk have had a chance to say if they care to and hen you wuill know whether you need to hint more at it or not. BUt let me mention again: this is so good!

Well, I had toyed with the idea of including the samples in some way but I had to go to a meeting. Maybe I will work on that.

And, thank you.

Yours did leave me a little breathless.

[firefangled]

You mean number 21 surely, not mine?

Yes I meant Ampoule's poem. Yesterday evening my posts were not showing up and for some reason all my settings were acting up, so I was not only confused about the samples, but what was going on with my posts.

[firefangled]

Well, I had toyed with the idea of including the samples in some way but I had to go to a meeting. Maybe I will work on that.

I think I know, but please don't reveal anymore. It is so perfect as is with not only the samples, but the time distortion as well. I read it again several times this morning and I'm still not sure.

I also have to say your timing in the poem is very well done.

I find it hard to believe we are left with this exsquisite puzzle because you were called away to a meeting.

[PrinceMyshkin]

I think I know, but please don't reveal anymore. It is so perfect as is with not only the samples, but the time distortion as well. I read it again several times this morning and I'm still not sure.

I also have to say your timing in the poem is very well done.

I find it hard to believe we are left with this exsquisite puzzle because you were called away to a meeting.

In the wake of that wondreful poem and all it implied, can you doubt what sort of "meeting" it was?!