Anne-Lise Andresen | + Follow Poet |
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- The Unsupervised Stop Sign -

  Purple spots buzz by
  Chatter inside his head
  The air is quivering and thick
  - no rush
  "Stretch out your tongue"
  "why, give me seven reasons"

  Blessed cogs
  on the grandmother clock
  a legacy from the age of the fathers
  Every heartbeat, clock ticks on
  Searching for connection
  screaming mayhem in the hospital
  Deep coma, these locks he's afraid of

  Red stop sign ... foolhardiness
  the smoke of zeal
  sound exploding launches fireworks
  Nothing could stop him

  Perseverance, trying to map the unknown
  Nuns in freshly ironed uniforms washing his face
  he can't move a single muscle

  Childhood memories, smell of warm sheets 
  When the forsythia produces buds
  - maybe, his second chance

Copyright © Anne-Lise Andresen | Year Posted 2023

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Beata Agustin Date: 11/1/2023 12:26:00 AM Wow! Congrats! Thank you for sharing this. God bless you. Login to Reply

Karen Jones Date: 10/29/2023 2:23:00 PM Very well written. Congratulations on a win! Login to Reply

Brian Sambourne Date: 10/18/2023 9:32:00 PM Superb poetry here. Such a creative take on the topic of an unsupervised stop sign - something halting + controlling to a troubled soul. Congratulations on the write! Brian Login to Reply

Sam Kauffman Date: 10/13/2023 11:32:00 AM A story skillfully told, Anne-Lise, through powerful, evocative images. It is haunting and so well done flowing easily through many transitions like a series of waterfalls! Best wishes for the contest! Blessings and hugs! Login to Reply

Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/12/2023 6:07:00 AM Skillfully rendered piece. I expect it will do well in The contest. Thanks for visiting this morning. Hugs Rick. Login to Reply

Ink Empress Date: 10/12/2023 2:29:00 AM This is brilliant! What a picture to go with your write. I found this prompt very interesting but wasnt sure what to come up with for that. But yours is excellent! I love it! Deep and intriguing! And your words flow very well too! Poignant poem that i think craig will like. Goodluck for the contest dear talented soul! You are so creative! Login to Reply

Jerry Brotherton Date: 10/11/2023 6:16:00 PM Such a wonderful poem my friend. Filled with so many memories. Login to Reply

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 10/11/2023 12:33:00 PM Chaos, mutilation, great sadness, each human being has a story to tell brilliant poetry Anne-Lise. Hugs and blessings Jennifer Login to Reply

Sotto Poet Date: 10/11/2023 11:56:00 AM Such a wonderfully crafted poem brimming with heartfelt emotions and memories about parents that have been in similar situation. Aging is not always a good idea, better for me to leave before causing devastating damage to loved ones. Hugs dear friend Login to Reply Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/11/2023 12:23:00 PM - Always think positively, Las :) - What old age does to us...we don't know, my friend :) - Many thanks for your sensitive comment :) - hugs