An Inventor’s Finest Plan | Teen Ink

An Inventor’s Finest Plan MAG

June 16, 2009
By Madeleine Barnes BRONZE, Wexford, Pennsylvania
Madeleine Barnes BRONZE, Wexford, Pennsylvania
4 articles 0 photos 0 comments

As though the arena of this page might release you

I remove you of type, of the empty pen barrel, it would be
blasphemous to act as though your self
is of my own devising – you are too lovely

to come from my imagination. Even as I write this
I am weary of creating. Not the thinnest tendril of
lightning would suffice you. The most forbidden

alchemy could not outshine (no matter
what scientist has memorized his formula)
or devalue your delicate shape

as you lean to cradle what aches. This way
you might lay your hand over the womb of
joy and its bloody kicks, its shimmering foil that

shreds your open stare charming serpents,
venom cooling into a tempered dance. Your trick
is one that hardly any can perform,

turning poison to your paint. No king’s
triton could command you from the
smokestacks, an inventor’s finest plan,

no conveyor nor arm of perfect factory
could replicate the inertia that gathers with your
swinging in close and reaching for the vaguest

threads of elsewhere, or for me, my outstretched
brushes. Nothing is so real as your artistry.
I could not design you if I was condemned to it.

I would shake this page until you walked from it, I would
pry the sides of knives to meet your face. Otherwise
the damage circles. Otherwise the devastations triumph.

With this pen I proclaim them dead.



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This article has 8 comments.


on Jul. 22 2011 at 9:48 pm
HannahMarie17 BRONZE, Pasadena, Maryland
2 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." - Anonymous

Your work is amazing and inspiring! Just...WOW! Please keep gracing our eyes with your writing!

wespired GOLD said...
on Dec. 24 2010 at 4:27 am
wespired GOLD, Circle Pines, Minnesota
10 articles 0 photos 28 comments

Favorite Quote:
"God has given me the ability, the rest is up to me, believe... believe... believe." -- Billy Mills (Ox Lake 2008)

I've read some of your other work and I think this one should have made it to the top. I think this is awesome and should be more accredited.

Rabaya GOLD said...
on May. 8 2010 at 1:38 pm
Rabaya GOLD, Jamaica, New York
17 articles 0 photos 18 comments
You are an amazing writer!

on Feb. 9 2010 at 7:43 pm
abeatlesfan65 GOLD, Stillwater, Minnesota
19 articles 0 photos 55 comments

Favorite Quote:
"My greatest trouble is getting the curtain up and down." - T.S. Eliot

I can only hope that you find a vast audience thay may proclaim your works worthy of all eyes.

In other news... I can't belief you've gotten all four of your poems published in print! Way to go! I didn't even think that was possible!

on Dec. 1 2009 at 3:50 pm
purplemusician SILVER, Columbus, Indiana
7 articles 3 photos 41 comments

Favorite Quote:
"those who matter don't mind, but those who mind don't matter" ~ Dr. Seuss

i love this! this can relate to writing and drawing and tattoes lolz.

keep writing! maybe if u have time check my stuff out to? :)

on Sep. 10 2009 at 7:19 am
Inkspired PLATINUM, Whitby, Other
26 articles 0 photos 493 comments

Favorite Quote:
"If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff?" - Mario Pei
"I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die." Isaac Asimov

Really great. Slightly confusing, but written so well, so original! You really feel something when you read this poem. Love it!

on Jun. 20 2009 at 12:45 am
ShernayB. DIAMOND, Southfield, Michigan
62 articles 1 photo 881 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Some things will never change"---Tupac

This is truly amazing. You are a great poet and I sense a promising future for you. Great job!!

Lainee said...
on Jun. 16 2009 at 11:07 pm
What depth, what soul, what wonder.

Even what I don't get, it's under

My skin, thunder in brain, dark chills of beauty,

I feel it's my duty

to tell you: Keep It Up:>