Accumulating Days That Lead To The Grave Poem by Uriah Hamilton

Accumulating Days That Lead To The Grave

Rating: 4.4


In my mind,
I value the Easter Sunday life:
The resurrection
Of the spring sunrise,
The flowery parks and paths,
The children dressed
In their church school best.

But none of that life is me,
I’m the solitary soldier
Of the decaying urban streets
Breathing in the car exhaust
Of the common defeat;
I’m the midnight observer
Of dark poetic scenes:

I’ve seen violent dykes
Take off theirs tops
And threaten to fight
Until they kissed and made up;
I’ve seen a female wino
Face a storefront and scream
And then say her rosary,
Then retreat with boyfriends,
The bearded man with the mousy squeak
And the cowboy Elvis wannabe
To a dirty car
Where sexual transactions did transpire.

I’ve stood in oil and urine pools
Flirting with the saddest prostitutes,
I’ve patiently listened to the same snow job
From the same con man three times
In the same disoriented week
And fell for it at least twice.

I don’t make judgments
About any of this vice,
I just keep looking for meaning
In the accumulating days
That lead to the grave.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Mahnaz Zardoust-Ahari 26 August 2005

Very dark....maybe a little shock to some....But very true.

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Mary Nagy 26 August 2005

Uriah, I am always suprised when you write of such things. Very vivid. It is such a contrast to the beauty and love you convey through most of your writing. I'm amazed at your ability to see such beauty that you normally write about while living among such things. (Since we are practically neighbors!) Take care, Sincerely, Mary

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Allan James Saywell 26 August 2005

this is a raw look at human life and a great write your talent shine like the sun keep up the great work uria Warm regards Allan

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Jerry Hughes 26 August 2005

Uriah, mon ami, you're a drummer with a different and positive beat. Good to read, never trite, and never boring. Cheers, Jerry

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Enemacles Redux 29 August 2005

This is brilliant. Like many of your poems, it has a gritty 'urban' feel. Kindof reminds me of American movies.. like Dirty Harry or Streets of San Francisco. Makes me long to buy a hotdog from one of those guys who sell hotdogs by the side of the road and see those things you describe.. Brilliant vibrations of life! I love!

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Will Barber 18 May 2006

Well, some of us can't take place in the Easter Parade, but a peek at it is always nice - before we go back to unmade bed. I admire your gift. It seems that beauty is hurting you into song. It's worth it. I found much to envy in this write. (Why didn't I say that?)

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Brian Dorn 08 April 2006

Wow, powerful message... that's all we can do is keep searching for meaning in the time we have left. Brian

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Shannon Chapel 29 December 2005

Wonderfully written. The last three lines really pack a powerful punch. S

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Joy Vanderhelm 14 November 2005

Very well written! You are an extremely vivid writer.

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Amberlee Carter 09 September 2005

wow uriah, this is so amazing...honestly, I'm at a loss for words..

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