Demented Confessions 10 – Neighbors

Neighbors

And here we are neighbor,

living our city stories,

stacked and layered

side by side,

above and below

each other.

 

The walls are thin,

floors and ceilings creak

like old Dracula movies.

We share our ecstasies and tears,

our celebrations and deaths,

whether we want to or not.

 

Once a month or so

we meet in the elevator

or by the mailboxes

and exchange pleasantries

like speech bubbles in comic books,

colliding.

 

We sit broody in our boxes,

each one of us a beautiful stranger,

a strange beauty in a strange land,

each one of us a gorgeous mystery

waiting for someone to open the lid,

open the door.

                                                                           ~~~~~~

Art and poem by clinock.

‘Neighbors‘ – 20″ x 12″ (50.8 x 30.48 cm) – wood box with mixed media.

~~~~~~

“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”  /  Bilbo Baggins ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

21 thoughts on “Demented Confessions 10 – Neighbors”

    2. I would certainly second Robert’s remark. As you probably already know, mixed media art always has a special place in my heart and art radar! Looking at this “ensemble”, some might even have the slight impression that the assembler is somewhat possessed (if not demented). The poem is nicely done too.

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    1. Now it’s funny you mention that Jana! When I began composing the post I strongly considered beginning a series that involved a short narrative about each character in the box. I also considered creating narrative links between connecting characters by chance dice throws: i.e. Even # connects horizontally, Odd connects on a vertical axis and Doubles mix diagonals together, etc. etc. I also thought to announce it as a web ‘Challenge’, each participant using their own dice throws to create a narrative, one paragraph at a time…I digress but you’re right, it does tell quite a story…and dearest Felix, well, that’s another story…

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  7. This is another wonderful piece. Both the poem and the art provide an allegorical description of modern day urban living. We have become so sophisticated that we each have to adapt to the restrains and isolation that we describe as social living. We have actually found an escape though- social media, where we have imaginary friends, acquaintances and fans. I guess that compensates for what we miss in the human touch. Amazing work!

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    1. Thank you GA for your visits and thoughtful comments. I must say that, for me, nothing compensates for the face to face and the touch on touch of human connection. However, yes, you’re right, social media, these words between you and I for instance are far from meaningless. It’s the new frontier of exchanging ideas and expressing who we think we are.
      I am old enough to still have and value my pre-internet brain. I grant that it may already be changing but I remember vividly love letters written in ink on paper. Well, that’s another story….
      I have made efforts over many years to connect more closely to at least my immediate neighbors. There are those who love to stop and chat; there are those who pleasantly say good-day but no more, and there are those who wear cloaks of invisibility.
      Why did I ever think it could be more?

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      1. The reference to the “cloaks of invisibility ” got me laughing really hard today.
        I am all for the human touch too but at the same time, I am grateful for the social media post-experiment. Think of this mind-blowing question: in the absence of social media, what are the chances in life and in eternity that you and I will ever have a conversation? The probability is close to infinite impossibility. Yet talking and sharing ideas promotes the idea of a global village. It removes the walls, borders and prejudices that separates us. It helps us see the human side of strangers and it helps us know that we have more things to appreciate in one-another than we could ever imagine. Having said all that, lest you get me wrong, I believe that our first responsibility is to interact with the people in our communities.I always enjoy reading the wisdom in your words.

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  8. And I enjoy the wisdom in your words GA. I hear you and cannot disagree with your observations. I have made many dear friends through blogging and hope to meet many more. At the same time, if I had my druthers, I would rather meet for a pint and a chin-wag at my local brew pub 😉

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    1. Thanks Ina. Colourful yes! Sometimes I invite neighbors into my studio for coffee and ask them which neighbor they think they are, within this art piece. The choices are always so very amazing to me. Good to see you my friend…

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