Can't Get There From Here

[eeyore_grrl]

    

               Can’t Get There From Here



there were discussions and decisions on the american dream
	a white dress wedding, two cats, a house, two kids
		(you know the drill)
there were plans 
and discussions
	but we can’t get there from here

three miscarriages later, we have only one child

but we have the house and the cats
      we have the stay at home parent
      and, at my wedding, i’m gonna wear an ivory wedding dress
					with purple shoes

you can’t get to the american dream when your womb rebels
you can’t
	    get 
	          there
		        from 
			     here
		        from where we are
			      where *i* am

so, who created this dream anyway?

we can’t get there with a womb that refuses to sustain

so fuck it

we are creating our own dreams
		    our own life
	from what we have
	        what makes us happy
	       what makes us smile
	
		our dream

video reading at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDBXit1ROWg&feature=youtu.be
This was written for LJ Idol Exhibit A http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/

Comments

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

*grin*

I really like this video version. I like what you hit and what you emphasize and the way that I know that is okay to be sad, wistful, happy and content here.

[tatdatcm.livejournal.com]

So much thought and emotion packed into these few words. Who created the dream indeed? I liked the video version as well and how you emphasized the different parts. I really admire your ability to write poetry.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Years of studying and writing. You should see some of my crappy poems that never make it public... on second thought, no one should. :D

[kandigurl.livejournal.com]

Very sweet. :)

[lilycobalt.livejournal.com]

I still don't know much about the craft of poetry, but I liked the written structure of your verse--the visual of the separated lines "you can't get there from here" expressed a kind of frustration that it wouldn't be possible to communicate if the words were all in one line.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

When I write poetry I have certain ways of reading it, obviously, so I try to write it so that other people can recreate some of it in their minds. There isn't always video...

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

My womb is on strike too! I think everyone needs to have their own dream, not just the so-called "American" variety.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

[audreybuttercup.livejournal.com]

I never understand that whole American Dream bit. Who decided what the dream was? Why did they get to decide?

If you're happy that's the dream. And it's not American, it's yours.

[theun4givables.livejournal.com]

I liked the structure of the poem and how it brought about emphasis on certain words and failures. I'll have to watch the video at a later time, but I think the structure you have here conveys how this should be spoken rather well.

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

Tell me if you think it does after you watch the video. That's what I go for in my structure.

[phoenixsansfyr.livejournal.com]

Your dream is your dream. Rock the eff on :D

[beldarzfixon.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful, more-so in the video version.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Your one child must seem such a miracle, after all you've been through. Such a heartbreaking journey. But choosing to love the destination has such power in creating happiness.

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Definitely create your own dream. The only dreams truly worth living are the ones we make or find for ourselves.

[myrna-bird.livejournal.com]

Lovely, both ways. :)

[fourzoas.livejournal.com]

Great use of line breaks and structure here--gives a sense of movement and interruption. I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm intrigued that you did one; I've considered providing audio for my poems on a few occasions, but never have (mostly due to time).

[kehlen-crow.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed you poem :).

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed getting to hear you deliver the poem, and the sound of your child in the background is a beautiful extra!

[eeyore-grrl.livejournal.com]

I thought of re-recording it, but thought the brief kid noise worked with it. :-)

Thanks.

[kittenboo.livejournal.com]

As a person who believed for a very long time that babies were not possible for me, I really loved this.