The Word Grey

[Grace Eitzenberger]

The word grey.

rattling-empty-can.
blind uncertainty and
irresolute beginnings.

beheld in the eyes, an
unseeing gaze.

beheld in the mouth, the
sound of Numb.

breathe deeply.
feel life tainted by
death's Secondhand Smoke.

yearn, and sigh,
reaching out for

nothing.

[Geri]

[snaps]
I like it.

[Nelson Cowan]

Grace, i really enjoyed this poem. If you don't mind(and if it's not too personal), what was you're inspiration for writing it? What thoughts were coming up as you were composing it? Also, i'm trying to understand the significance behind capitalizing "Numb" and "Secondhand Smoke."

Help me out!

Great stuff though!

[Grace Eitzenberger]

i wrote this sometime last semester. i guess it was inspired by the idea from another poem called "the world plum" - though mine is entirely different in the interpretation of a word and what word i used. i kind of worked backwards in a sense that the poem was written and then found the word grey fitting. then added that first line to my poem. the artist who wrote "the word plum" started with the word and built around it.

the capitalization is for the reader. in attempts to achieve an emotional effect on my audience. it can mean anything you feel it is. it can mean nothing or it could send a shot through your heart or simply make you think about why i used what i did (which i think you did) haha
but i wont tell you my exact intention, because whatever you got from it is exactly what i intended. it'd be cool to hear your take on it, though. either the poem as a whole, or the way i wrote it. what went through your mind as you read it?

and thanks!