O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Having Survived Myself I Lean Away

Posted on May 3, 2017 by robert okaji

Having Survived Myself I Lean Away

You know that
but not
why

the mockingbird mocks,
or how one note

marries others,
forming blissful

chords. And the skies
flaring each night

betraying your willful
ignorance,

while you paint
the words for love

in seven languages
you can’t
speak.

Where are you now,

whose bodies
have you denied,

wrapped in linen,
bagged or boxed,
arriving unseen?

Sagging, I observe your
counted victories, the
smirk claiming

exceptionalism
and destiny or
nobility of purpose,

as even your own shadow
recoils.

This first appeared here in October 2015.

24 thoughts on “Having Survived Myself I Lean Away”

ダニエル・シュネー on April 30, 2017 at 10:34 am said:

A shadow “recoiling”… fantastic imagery. Once again, the Master speaks!

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- robert okaji on April 30, 2017 at 11:06 am said:
  
  If shadows only had choices…
  
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  - ダニエル・シュネー on May 1, 2017 at 12:11 am said:
    
    when shadows have choice… Amaterasu will rejoice…
    
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TheFeatheredSleep on April 30, 2017 at 4:37 pm said:

One of my ABSOLUTELY most favorites

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- robert okaji on April 30, 2017 at 4:44 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Candice. You’ve made my day!
  
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Cate on April 30, 2017 at 7:13 pm said:

It loses none of its power and beauty in the repeat, Bob.

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- robert okaji on April 30, 2017 at 9:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Cate. I ‘m glad it still works.
  
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Rosemary Reader and Writer on May 1, 2017 at 5:14 am said:

Go and visit the war cemeteries in Northern France. They are gobsmackingly beautiful and strangely peaceful.

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- robert okaji on May 1, 2017 at 7:04 am said:
  
  i’ve seen them in photos, but not in person. Maybe someday.
  
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johnsmithiiimxiii on May 1, 2017 at 10:09 am said:

Even in darkness there is a light.

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- robert okaji on May 1, 2017 at 12:33 pm said:
  
  But a good flashlight helps. 🙂
  
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Leigh W. Smith on May 1, 2017 at 12:23 pm said:

Superb, from title to diction to line breaks and enjambment. Seems rather prophetic that it appeared in October 2015, not October 2016, too! Very nice, Bob.

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- robert okaji on May 1, 2017 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Leigh.
  
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Carolin Messier on May 2, 2017 at 1:42 am said:

Thank you for reposting; I missed it the first time. “the smirk claiming exceptionalism” has always disturbed me.

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- robert okaji on May 2, 2017 at 6:14 am said:
  
  We, the people, are so easily duped…
  
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  - Carolin Messier on May 2, 2017 at 8:17 am said:
    
    Unfortunately, yes.
    
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Carrie Birde on May 3, 2017 at 8:06 am said:

This is both beautiful and sad. Will we ever learn?
(Incidentally, when I speak to the Mockingbird, he cocks his head and listens…!)

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Carrie. I like to think that we can learn, but…
  I adore mockingbirds!
  
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nicolelannertone on May 3, 2017 at 6:06 pm said:

And so it’s been said, shadow recoiling, what a piece of history.

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- robert okaji on May 3, 2017 at 7:56 pm said:
  
  Thank you. The shadows know…
  
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Alan J. Blaustein on May 25, 2017 at 9:10 pm said:

The key words, “mocks,” bagged or boxed,” “smirk”…The “you” here is a collective you. Plug in any name or names. Excellent work!

Thank you for liking my “Self” poem!

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- robert okaji on May 25, 2017 at 9:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much, Alan.
  
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chaosgatebook on May 27, 2017 at 6:24 pm said:

I admire the chances you take in the transitions between images!

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- robert okaji on May 29, 2017 at 10:07 pm said:
  
  Thank you. All I can do is try!
  
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