I deleted my inbox today
the inbox, the outbox
the sentbox, the drafts
at the click of one finger
gone.
I am virus expunged,
no horse left to hide in
house keeping done
history wiped
rationalised,
purged, purified,
sanitised.
Now I’m light as the ether
all albumen and froth
floating in my own fluid
the past, a severed cord
the future, no gravity
I’m an empty bottle
bobbing in the sea
I am Spartacus reborn.
I should probably give extra reasons for my choice of words Alvin. Meaning of words is often more important to me than their poetic appeal. In an ideal world, what you want to say would go hand in hand with poetry - but it just doesn't always work that way.
Rationalise has two meanings - to get rid of something unnecessary and to apply logic and reason. Both meanings were important to me. I didn't see purge and purify as too unpoetic and there is some alliteration.
Sanitised is probably an odd choice but there again, I wanted to tie in 2 meanings. One - cleansing, two - returning to sanity - which I accept isn't exactly a meaning of the word but could be assumed poetically. I accept that verse 2 is probably weaker than the last - I just write to express things sometimes and then move on.
Thanks for the comment Alvin. Maybe I wasn't in a singing mood as I deleted my inbox.
Thank you again Steve - I read a tad faster than I would have liked and I'm working on trying to get my voice softer but I appreciate your opinion - I think I have come a long way since first joining the site. Amazing what reading other people's work can do for you.
My next recording will be something totally different - and my voice will be as low and slow as I can get it. LOL xx
<Deleted User> (6534)
Mon 20th Sep 2010 20:14
Why rationalised
Why purged purified sanitised
It doesn't sing like your other work
I didn't really think about whether Spartacus was or wasn't a cliche. I wrote it quickly and just wanted something that expressed immense power and liberation. I loved the Gladiator film - think it's the only one I've seen where I actually found that Ozzie actor attractive. Maybe I'm born into the wrong era - I should be a blood smeared warrior or a mad Bodicea...
Deletion is empowering for all of 5 minutes. I imagine that is why lots of poets remove themselves from WOL. That is one step too far for me. Email is one thing, WOL another - think I'm bedded down here for good now - no matter how many clangers I drop or how many are dropped on me. Thanks for your comments. xx
A deliberate cliche is a well-accepted poetry ploy, the more widely known the cliche the better. I really like your novel imagery with the 'egg' that can fling off into all kinds of ideas. An explosion of freedom much appreciated for its wit and its message.
I accidentally wiped all my wife's emails the other day. Fortunately my daughter managed to retrieve them. It wasn't quite such a liberating experience.I like the poem, especially the 2nd verse, first 3 lines of which are excellent, I think.I do think the Spartacus thing has been done to death, though.
Mmmm - sometimes it feels like that's all I've got...
Lovely to hear from you - I'd have left something on your profile if I could have found it. I used to enjoy your stuff - get yourself back up here! xx
Great poem and thinking through process, love it.... very well done.
have you perhaps considered the fate of these deletions...??
You are no doubt aware that they are not GONE ... they are out there or are they still here??
...an micro electronic scar in orbit of Isobeltronic files and savourings ... and little black book notations ... all this industrious husbandry alighting upon some far distant galaxy.
Once again superb poem.
Gus xx
excellent stuff, Isobel.. very clever stuff indeed.. would love to see you read this sometime defo as it would carry a huge amount of power I think live x
I am Sparticus....
But not the blood and sand sort thats just been on Bravo!!! Too much blood and gore fascinating though it was!
Another good one Isobel... clearing out my inbox is not too difficult for me, but clearing out my wardrobe of all those things Im always going to diet back into is another matter altogether!!
Cate xx
<Deleted User> (7212)
Wed 15th Sep 2010 11:23
Fuck me ! - I'm Spartacuss
Thanks for the comments everyone. The poem is also about the need to live in the real world. Electronic transfer of laughter, emotions or just tittle tattle is a very poor substitute for direct interaction. Without proper human relationships we all become slaves to our inbox and a very unreal world. x
I am Spartacus!
Strange how liberating it can be.
Like in Master and Commander when the mast is cut free in the storm.
Nice one
Dave
I also love this idea of releasing yourself from the attachments and contraints of the past...
I recently did just that with all of my work e-mails - deleted everything - and what an amazing, powerful feeling it was too!
Everything has its time though - you must be in the right emotional state of mind in order to let it go...
<Deleted User> (7790)
Tue 14th Sep 2010 16:47
Spartacus (radiators) Blood and Email -- you have entrails. Hope the severed cord wasn't your firwire, umpire, high-flier, wolf-cryer, moth-flyer, horse-buyer. Thumbs up from the last of the Mohicans of Thrace. It's fab. x
loved the sense of freedom in this and the escape from the mad society we rattle around in. Like a potted poetic retreat. Liked also the Trojen / Sparticus thing, Very nice Isobel. Incidentally I have also just writen an poem with the word albumen in! Win x
i am most tempted by this thought at the moment, get rid of all technological ties...
I love the last stanza. good stuff. take care.
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chris yates
Tue 21st Sep 2010 14:27
Delete delete delete love it throw of the past and hello future bring it on xx