Today I wanted to write a poem but there was not a single word or phrase to form even the tiniest spark. So rather than put down my pen, I decided to find an image that triggered my interest. The image I found was a photograph looking down at CBD/downtown area taken from a vantage point removed from the actual scene. The image of the city was framed by a broken chain link (aka cyclone wire) fence. I image that the person who made the photograph has their back to an abandoned factory. The image used on this page is quite close to inspiration image – the biggest difference is that more wire was visible in the one I used.
The poem below is the result of this exercise. Apart from spelling mistakes and punctuation changes, it is presented as it flowed.
Through the wire Wire twisted back on itself, a fading sheen frames the rust where metal connects. Generations of spiders have engineered open air kitchen homes amongst the web. Traces of former house guests are still visible. A city sprawls out behind the broken wire fence Oblivious to the life, decay and death overlooking the cars and suits and lattes. Like overachieving ants we have built mounds higher than ever while our social structures devolved. We have forgotten how to protect our queens and walk without stepping on each other.
Angele Toomey Poetry 