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Reminded

Moving through
night urban landscape,
taste of hydrocarbons
heavy from thick traffic
I exist within,

the glow of dashboard
blood-red
on my gripping hands
and steering wheel,

Slick music hard
and oozing heavy
from ubiquitous technology
to fill reality,

power windows down
to feel new night's fresh chill
left over from old bones of winter
moving serpentine around full moon,

Stress quick pounding in my blood
steeped in modernity
and slow-boiling anger
at fate of modern life
I find myself imprisoned in;

there's suddenly a scent,
a smooth and spiced aroma
ancient even when our
species was newborn;

woodsmoke on the evening air,
redolent of home and hearth,
filled with promised warmth,

and somewhere someone's curled up
safe, relaxed, at peace,
staring into flickering captured flames
the way we did on cool spring nights
a thousand centuries ago,

and I grin,
caught in wonder once again.

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
Is the internal logic consistent?
Last few words: 
I'm BACK.
Editing stage: 

Comments

I haven't seen you around for awhile. I hope you are well and happy. This poem starts out stressing in all kinds of ways. Unsettled feelings while driving down the road. Trepidation is thick in the gripping of the steering wheel. Then memories gentle and warm are remebered. I like these lines best:

woodsmoke on the evening air
redolent of home and hearth
filled with promised warmth

and somewhere someone's curled safe,
relaxed, at peace,
staring into flickering captured flames
the way we did on cool spring nights
a thousand centuries ago,

and I smile,
caught in wonder once again.

I have no suggestions, just appreciation for the work.
always, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

I am well, I just needed some time off from everything!
Thanks for reading and enjoying. I was all stressed out this particular day, and the smell just hit me, and made everything right.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

author comment

The imagery and texture is rich and the primal comfort of smelling a hearthfire come through clearly. The only thing I wonder about is the inconsistency of talking about the smell of hydrocarbons then the fresh night..............stan PS how have you been?

You are absolutely right, I changed the line to change the meaning.
I am good; I just needed to get away from computers for a bit!

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

author comment

Thanks man! That's how it was, a sudden revealing of something ancient and welcome!
Glad you like this one.

Respectfully, Race

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" - Race-9togo

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Race_9togo

author comment

Pay attention to the road before you find yourself
Paying more tothe good hands people. Lmfao

Oma real note: I have been there remember things of the past while driving by myself.
Enjoyed this write

Eddie
...

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS
IT'S ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.
VIVIAN GREENE

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