Photo by and copywrite Fee Easton.
It began with little Indians
rolling crude
puffing psychoactive spirituality
in lieu of peace signs in the sand.
Pet plants petted
coughing Camels patronizingly,
coaxing out life
one voice at a time.
Every breath breathes history
says the shaded mammal;
it sucks it up in fossilized harmony
and spits it out, in yellow –
it’s just shades of grey anyway
where humanity soars
out on a lung.
* My submission to this week’s edition of the One Shoot Sunday Photo Prompt, with that emotionally charged picture provided by one Fee Easton. I’ll be honest, this one’s still a work in progress; not entirely satisfied with how it turned out, but for the moment, it will do for this week’s prompt. As for Fee, well, she’s a fantastic photographer – be sure to have a look at my interview with her when you get a chance. You won’t come away disappointed…and while you’re there, check out all the other poets inspired by the prompt!
The Waking Den 
i love that you start this with the little indians – quite a stroll through history
love the..sucks it up in fossilized harmony
and spits it out, in yellow..
Every Indian smoked a pipe and every cowboy rolled their own or chewed the tabacco, i’n the 40’s it was good for your health lol now? Yes a grey shadow on the resources of our hospitals
Well played ending “out on a lung”! The c-alliteration that occurs around coughing and the b-alliteration on breathing adds an excellent technical layer to this piece.
Nicely done, I like the way you go back to where it started.
Anita.
Someone awarded me and I’m paying it forward. I love reading your blog and wanted to express my appreciation for your creativity and what you do. Thank you! http://colddeadheart.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/versatility-rules/
I like the blend of narrative tale and imagery, and the last line is just perfect. An excellent interview also–lots of striking photos any one of which would have been a good prompt.
you did a great interview with Fee and i like your poem, especially ~
“it sucks it up in fossilized harmony”
nice. stark startling imagery…like the color play in the last little bit…smoking fossilized harmony
I’d say you’re well past the draft stage. Beautiful writing, Chris. Not an easy photo to work with…xxxxj
I love the historical context here. For it’s very recently that smoking has become a vice. Not too long ago it was a virtue.
Thank you for sharing this and thank you for introducing us to Fee’s excellent photography.
Kind regards, James.
Chris, this is fantastic.
You certainly have a talent for crafting words
Clever, telling work.