Found Poetry
Posted on November 29th, 2006 by desert ratPosted in Poetry, inspired by | 10 Comments »
Baked enamel finish. Color: Standard beige. Other colors available.
Cell walls have a number of functions
Attention must be given to the structural nature of the cell
The cell wall provides a porous medium for the circulation and distribution of water, minerals, and other nutrients
A pre-cast concrete cell can withstand extreme physical abuse, clever entry, concealment attempts, and repeated tampering.
The cell wall counters the effects of osmotic pressure, keeping the cell from bursting
Corrosive materials or bodily fluids can deteriorate cell wall systems over time, allowing for corroded areas to be used to hide contraband or be used as a ligature point
The cell wall bestows rigidity to the plant, maintaining the cell’s characteristic shape
The hostel was built in the old military barracks of the old Austro-Hungarian empire;
the doors and windows are still barred, the floors still sloped to accommodate drains
The cell walls of all bacteria are not identical. In fact, cell wall composition is one of the most important factors in bacterial species analysis and differentiation
The dungeon is kept as it once was, although a camera obscura has been placed in the wall so that the shadows of passers-by are turned upside-down
The relative rigidity of the cell wall renders plants sedentary, unlike animals, whose lack of this type of structure allows their cells more flexibility, which is necessary for locomotion.
A suicide prevention cell should
(1) not have joints at the ceiling and between the walls for the purpose of anchoring a
hook through the wall and committing hanging.
(2) Seamless floors should be used instead of tile that has sharp corners.
(3) Floor surface should be nonslip surface that can’t be removed.
“Perspective can be a prison,” say the architects,
The rooms have been transformed by guest artists. Beds hang in mid-air. Poems are scrawled on the walls. Artwork is made from cupboards. Doorways are turned into sundials.
“Too many things have a rational beginning. We need more mystery;
The struggle of man against power
is the struggle of memory against forgetting”
———
This found poetry compilation was inspired by the Poetry Thursday prompt, “If These Walls Could Talk.” For more PT poems visit www.poetrythursday.blogspot.com
The prison/hostel article (and its corresponding quotes) can be found at: www.villagemagazine.ie/article.asp?sid=1&sud=38&aid=3135
Ad copy from companies manufacturing concrete and modular prison cells can be found at:
http://www.opmg.com/e-mail/email2005Bsuicide/1-E-mail%202005BSecurity-Precast.htm
www.pxdirect.com/holding_cell.htm
Information on the biology of plant cell walls can be found by Googling “cell walls”
Can I just say my mind is reeling from the stimuli here, it’s lovely indeed!
I love the way you took the concept of wall and took it to multiple levels, all with this brilliant connecting thread that retains cohesiveness without sacrificing depth.
I’ve read and reread this poem, savoring something new each time, it’s incredibly meaty – which I love!
You’ve interwoven diverse topics and created a rich story. It takes poetry writing beyond frilly words and well-placed adjectives, this poem is substantial in a new way.
Excellent work.
That was cool. Lame comment I know, but that was cool. It reminded me of a cross between reading Foucault and listening to a mash-up album. All week I’ve been listening to The Beatles’ _Love_ and, oddly enough, this sounds like that. The juxtaposition of the found pieces is jarring even as it dovetails. I’m impressed no end by this.
Oh, I love how you’ve mixes all these elements together ~ and followed this week’s idea. Nicely done. I was planning on doing a “found poem” soon as a PT prompt. This would make a nice example of that type of poem.
oops. Just saw a typo. I hate that. I meant mixed, not mixes. And I am actually Dana, not Lynn.
~Dana @ poetry Thursday and @ sublimation
I’m always impressed by your writing. Its genesis is always sheer brilliance! I envy you in a most admirable way sir.
This is great! I love what people have been doing with walls. I’m a sucker for poems that take a sort of scientific text and respond in kind poetically as you have here. Great.
A good read! BTW, I am so proud of you for finishing your NaNo! Now what?
My hat is off. And cheers can be heard. Hear them?
Thanks everyone! It’s amazing what poetry lurks in the everyday.
Pepek: Now the task is to actually finish the story. At 50k it’s probably only about half way there. Too bad they don’t have an after-NaNo NaNo, to help keep up the incentive!
oh this s so well done..walls are just amazind..something we take for granted, however they are all around keeping our secrets or keeping us safe..no matter they just keep doing it..thanks always a pleasure to stop by..m