Extinction

Jo Bryant

do not sit at my table

of blood soaked earth

for I will devour you

and cast your bones

into the fog

filling the void

I possess

alone

image source: Google images, unknown photographer

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This is my offering for Magpie Tales 91

where each week Tess provides a photo prompt.

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And is also part of Poets United: Poetry Pantry #75

Published by Jo Bryant

I was born in the land of Banjo Paterson, gum trees, and weather extremes. I am a freelance photographer. I love to make images that make people happy. To capture forever a precious moment. I am also a freelance writer/editor. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, but still like to claim my Australian heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2008. I am writing my first novel. I love to write poetry, short stories, and also write for the web. And there is nothing that is on a par with a sunny summer's day spent at Waihi Beach.

78 Comments

  3. Some photos function very much like Rorschach inkblots. They’re so ambiguous, so indecipherable, even a few words can skew our perception of them.

    After reading your words, my first thought was, “Hmmmm… I wonder what she did do with all those first-graders?”

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        1. I’m thinking that someone really NICE wouldn’t persist until the Cap’n gave way on certain matters pertaining to the need to come out on top…

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  9. I didn’t take your words to mean danger from the young woman but rather danger coming for her. There does seem to be something there, in the fog.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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    1. I believe that poetry is whatever the reader sees in it – as Freddie Mercury once said far more eloquently than I ever could: “Does it mean this, does it mean that, that’s all anybody wants to know. I’d say what any decent poet would say if anyone dared ask him to analyse his work: if you see it, darling, then it’s there!”

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  13. Yes, there definitely was a scary aspect to this photo. For me, oddly, it was the shoes! Great take on it. K.

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    1. Don’t you just love all the different aspects people see in a photo prompt ?? I never saw the shoes…never saw the black bra until I read anothe Magpie…fascinating.

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  14. This is such a powerful and affecting piece of writing; I really admire it. The first two lines in particular are stunning. The image is certainly original and arresting, but your poem doesn’t need it. In the UK, we have ‘tube poems’ – poetry by various authors that is published in the underground where a large advert would usually be displayed. Your poem deserves a public platform of that kind.

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    1. Thank you – what a fabulous comment for me to find on here – i wish we had something like tube poems – imagine how you’d feel seeing your work up where thousands could read it !!!
      Who thought that up ? How does it work ? Love to get something going like that here…

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  18. You definitely brought the picture to life with your darkly spoken words. On another note, I note your dog at the top of your blog. Looks similar to my own dogs (photo on my site). If you visit my site, tell me…is it a chihuahua (sp) or toy fox terrier or..? (Mine are TFT’s.

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    1. Thanks Mary. Chevvy’s parent’s were actually quite large Fox Terriers, which is why we are constantly surprised at how small she is. But then our girl is an odd duck on lots of fronts. Thant’s why she fits in perfectly here !!

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  22. On the surface, I decided not to ask her out… But then between the lines, I sense that Mother Earth will dispose of us in due course!! Like this poem!

    Rick

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    1. Click on the Magpie Tales link above. That is for this week. If you click on home then RSS subscribe you will see the new feed every week that Tess puts up for it. And away you go – you can come and go as the mood stikes.
      I made your hairs stand up – oh yeah !!!!!!!

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  33. This picture has been used on another posting that I have
    commented on but I like your offering Jo, a very nice piece 🙂

    Androgoth XXx

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