The instruction was
“Erase me from your life”
But should I delete you
Or send you to the recycle bin?
Perhaps in the old days of VHS
You could record over things
With something new that’s
More fun and better quality.
But what we all know is
The reused video will wear thin,
Parts of the old film will show through,
And it will probably get stuck
With long tangled spaghetti loops
That ruin the mechanism,
And eventually something will snap.
I need to find me a blank tape.
oh..definitely mp3 for me, so much easier...couldn't be doing with tapes now!! great poem.. x
ReplyDeletenice piece Libby! mp3's are much better :)
ReplyDeleteDig the metaphor here, and the candor. Also, the payoff at the end is super. Excellent work! :D
ReplyDeleteoh i like it...cant tape over everything it seems, best just to start over fresh...
ReplyDeleteWonderful analogy. You need a rewritable DVD. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLOL..you better do! Clean slates are the best. Freedom to do whatever...and hey, be careful what you record on your new blank tape, so you dont go looking for another in no time.
ReplyDeleteBless!
A blank tape -- great metaphor!
ReplyDeleteOh the blank tape was a great idea to use
ReplyDeleteGlad you used it for your muse
Never really thought of it that way
But with a movie plug you can't stray
Like the one shot you decided to evoke
Enjoyed very much by this bloke
Don't you just wish!
ReplyDeleteFun play with words...
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome....
ReplyDeleteYes, a fresh start is better for sure. Too hard to tape over when the old might bleed through. Nicely done :)
ReplyDeleteGreat metaphor Libby. Clever poem with your signature stamp. Clean, clear, metaphor and images. Well done as always. Excellent. Gay
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Perhaps I'm a bit of a romantic. The metaphor for me says, you can never erase anyone or any experience from your life completely. Surely you would not be who you are now without those someones or somethings regardless of how annoying or painful they might be.
ReplyDeleteAs usual besides having a special gift with words, Libby, you have made us think, made us think about your poem, about our lives and we would erase if we could... or perhaps something we thought we had erased but still lingers...
I love this. Thank you for sharing.
Store to file, not erase - then life lessons stay with you! I read your words as relating to people and memories, same as the commenter above...
ReplyDeleteThis is so fabulously creative! Love this.
ReplyDeleteKeep the memories. Great write.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an instruction at the beginning of your poem - a tall order. Some instructions should be ignored. But I enjoyed your detour through the days of VHS tapes.
ReplyDeleteRichard
This is a well-sustained metaphor that shows discipline and skill. It works partly because it reminds us of something we used to know that is now obsolete, replaced by other technologies, just as we all have been replaced in the heart of someone, just as we all will replace someone in our own heart. Beautiful metaphor. Your work is getting stronger, much stronger.
ReplyDelete"Parts of the old film will show through"---so true. I missed this wonderful poem somehow, glad I found it when catching up while making rounds for One Shot Wed.
ReplyDeleteincredible.
ReplyDeleteinvite you to join our poetry picnic today,
1 to 3 random poems are welcome for first time participants, you can also write for our theme,
best.
hope to see your participation.
Neat! this is a word-wise poem; the metaphor is keen. Good luck finding an unused & fresh human being.
ReplyDeleteenjoyed reading this.
a thoughtful piece, smiles.
ReplyDeletekeep it up.
welcome sharing a piece with poets rally today.
best.