Sunday, November 02, 2008

One Single Impression: Disguise


This week's prompt for One Single Impression was "disguise." For some reason except for the last one, this week's poems are kind of dark. The first three come from the days of my youth. Don't think I have every published any of them before and I probably should have left it that way, but.... for better or worse, I'm going to share them. Guess that's it by way of apologies. Can't help myself.


25 comments:

sgreerpitt said...

There is I think something about the idea of disguises and masks that conjures up the negative in our culture. I don't believe that is true in all cultures. Many cultures use masks to evoke the spirits of the animals, the ancestors or the gods. But in ours, when we think about masks or disguises on adults we think about hidding something negative. Even the sweet kitty is masking something is mischieveous.

sgreerpitt said...

I came back to thank you; I had not had any inspiration for this weeks prompt until I read your poems.

Anonymous said...

Very powerful; and there's something very cathartic about writing and reading poetry this deep! Thanks for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

I really like the first poem. The soft flesh and rain-filled eyes-- what a wonderful line.

Anonymous said...

I am struck by the boys dressed in Halloween garb. I am amazed at how creepy the costumes have become. Love the cat poem...reminds me of my own.

Jim said...

Hi Katherine, I'll choose the 'naughty cat' for my fave. I can identify with that cat!
I could identify with the wolves as well, I grow fangs and bite when the full moon comes.

I do have a serious question, did you do the artwork when you were in your youth? They are good, very good. I'm jealous of your ability.
..

Raven said...

Thanks for the kind words, everyone...

Jim, the "art work" (thanks for calling it that) is a gift of the wonders of Paintshop Pro and photos of my own or things I have found through google. It allows me to fake talent I only wish I had.

Carletta said...

I think all of us in our youth right deep and dark at one point or another.
I usually read your work two or three times because they make me think and afterwards I usually find a part of myself either of the present or the past.
My faves are the first and the last one of course.
Glad to see you back posting for this meme. :)

anthonynorth said...

Some fantastic poems there, dealing with all manner of disguises.

SandyCarlson said...

The young boy's face quite caught me by surprise. That is sad, indeed. These are well done, Raven. Thanks.

Dr.John said...

Over all you have some real insights into the why we act as we do. Put them in a poem and they are safe to contemplate.
"How much we fear loneliness and each other."

gabrielle said...

I love the first poem, especially the last line. "No monsters but only dressed up children."

A poem lives only when it is read.
Thanks so much for airing them out.

I accidentally pressed a key and the photo of the cat filled the screen.
So expressive, she is flanked by amethyst and schist.

San said...

Raven, I always appreciate your reflections, your looking beyond the surfaces.

And these pieces and their accompanying images remind me of a dream one of my professors told our class years ago. He was at a party (probably with other departmental faculty, although he didn't say that). It was a costume party and someone said, 'Time to take off our masks.' Everyone took off their masks. Underneath each mask was another mask. They removed those masks. Underneath each mask was another mask...

He found the dream disturbing.

Anonymous said...

..'how much we fear -both loneliness and each other"_
"the other lambs..who also wear a wolf skin"_
"no monsters..but only dressed up children"_
..perhaps 'adulthood' is also a disguise..for the 'child' always remains-many thanks
for these lovely 'youthful' poems..

Gene Bach said...

Cool pomes. Nothng wrong with dark poems either. Seemed to work for Poe.

Tumblewords: said...

These are some of your best! IMHO. You used the prompt well and carried it deep.

Angelica Chua said...

This is the first time I've come across your site. You have good stuff.

I really like Sheep in Wolf's Clothing and At the Commonwealth Tavern.

Many put on a tough image to protect themselves from getting hurt, but end up not enjoying the good things in life.

The other poem is a powerful one. I'm not a party person, but this does remind me of one particular party I went to. Parties can give people an escape to lose their selves and forget their troubles for a night.

gabrielle said...

More reflections on masks.

I think the scariest masks are not the ones we intentionally wear in the world. Sometimes they are necessary.

As long as we know why we are wearing them and slip them off when they become redundant. (This is something it has taken me a long time to learn, since I'm somewhat of a purist.)

The scariest masks to me are the ones we don't know we are wearing, because we have convinced ourselves that how we are defined by family, work, our own limited vision is who we are.

Quiet Paths said...

Well you have, as usual, a wonderful assortment of verse and images. Disguise is such an intricate part of living I've discovered! Great post here and I love all the pictures.

For tomorrow friend: Here is a link I wanted you to see in case you hadn't: fivethirtyeight http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

DeLi said...

the cat poem is so tender and cute. i like it a lot!

maryt/theteach said...

Katherine, come see my prediction for the 2008 campaign and me and my husband, Vinny, voting this morning...:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Raven, sorry I've been away... It's been crazy at MommyWizdom. I wanted to invite you to Election Blog Party. Sign up to win a giveaway just for voting. Also, I hope you'll join us for a live watch party tonight, at my blog, at this post.

I hope you'll stop by...

qualcosa di bello said...

raven, you always manage a lovely array of offerings to prompts. i am taken by your words on the 'bar scene' & your mention of the fear of loneliness & at the same time, others. & following that offering with the boy's inability to disguise something that is too much...you really have a gift for tugging at the heart.

& capping it perfectly with sweet chuckle of your kitty's 'disguise'!

Felisol said...

Dear Raven,
Your Poetry pin pointed a variety of human issues. Hope you will reveal and share more, that is, if you've got some.
"pretending not to sense our lack of mirth/and trying to forget how much we fear/both loneliness and each other."
Thank you.
From Felisol

Anonymous said...

Katherine, these are some of your best. I read down the page, saying true, true, true....