The Escapist

  after C. A.


Skillfully you lick your woman's blood.
Dream leaping at the moon. The
clock stops ticking.

Hot. You adorn her with indelible cream.
Kill heaven in present happiness.

Your love is like kissing danger
in the street. It quickly fades

when the minute's game dies.



- ksm / 2015

20 comments:

  1. Oh I love how you combine the darkness of death and blood with love. Passion is so all consuming. I need to check out Chairil Anwar.. The world is full of good poetry.

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  2. Thank you for introducing me to a new poet - handsome fellow too, judging by the pictures! Shame he died so young and was censored by the Japanese. You might be interested in the book 'The Investigation' by Jung-Myung Lee, which is about a (real) Korean poet who died in a Japanese POW camp. All about beauty and creativity even in the face of torture and death.
    The opening image is so startling that I was unsure how to read the rest of the poem. A nightmarish quality there, in slow motion, clocks stop ticking.

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    1. At 26, yes, he was, indeed, too young. But he remained to be an artistic icon for Indonesia without a doubt. Thanks for the recommendations. I have noted it, as I think I have never heard or known any poetry from Korea. It would be interesting to read something from Korea other than "k-pops, k-dramas, and.."

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  3. What an intriguing verse. Love is a risk, a dangerous game - perhaps that is why it is so alluring, or another reason why. Ha. The second stanza for me, the hot and cold contrast, also the giving up heaven for this moment speak very strong. Solid piece.

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  4. Depthfully crafted and metaphorically intense work here, Kelvin. You always challenge me with your writing, making me want to dig deeper into the source of your inspiration! Nice to see you...smiles.

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  5. Each line is a killer specially:

    Your love is like kissing danger
    in the street. It quickly fades

    when the minute's game dies.

    I am checking on your artist and enjoying his original words ~ Good to read you kelvin ~

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  6. Loved the comparison of danger with love.. of death and darkness.. an excellent write :D

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  7. I do not know what line I like best as the whole of your poem has striking imagery, Kelvin - maybe the second stanza. Thank you for the introduction to another poet.

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  8. After re-reading this several times, I get different vibes & reactions each time; an existential bent, lust, drug-induced haze, bad company, werewolves, cads & con men, & poor choices secondary to shallow cravings. It is good to read/see you again. Hope you finally were able to listen to my recitation of my piece; it enriches the poetic experience.

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  9. I love "Dream leaping at the moon - the clock's stopped ticking." This poem has impact. And intrigue.

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  10. I think love changes as we age - the ferocity of need is replaced by gentleness - I have lived this poem as a young man. Nice

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  11. True love does change as one matures but it is still a bond of flesh and blood and bone, even when the consuming passion is cooled into gentleness. Hayes Spencer is Kanzensakura

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  12. Love this:
    "Dream leaping at the moon---the
    clock stops ticking.
    Hot. You adorn her with indelible cream.
    Kill heaven"

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  13. people will kill for love, and some have died for it. Incredibly dark imagery... but dammit, this is true.

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  14. Layered in imagery! Lovely work, thanks for sharing.

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  15. dark...but passionate piece. Nice!

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  16. Ah.. only if the minute lover can
    taste the honey doing of
    Unconditional Love.. tough
    as nails.. soft as heart..
    living always now as
    present.. where minute
    or time is nonexistent
    life living always Love..:)

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  17. The imagery is shocking and takes the reader by surprise....much the way that the intensity of love can. I read this multiple times and enjoyed it thoroughly.

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Thanks for the kind words!

- kelvin s.m.