This Atmosphere
Do you like this poem?
Then check out my poetry book, Digging to China, released by Sweatshoppe Publications. This poem is in it, along with fifty others. Signed copies are available through Sweateshoppe Publications. It's also available on Barnes and Noble and 
This Atmosphere
is foreign to me.
It's
heavy--
nay, suffocating!--
like being buried
beneath
a fleece
blanket in
one hundred percent
humdity.
I'm not sure
how I got here but I'm
frantically looking
for a ship to fly
me back
to gentler
environs.
all rights reserved. Copyright Justin W. Price November 14, 2011
Thanks for Reading.
Thanks for Reading.
A FREELANCE WRITER, HONORS STUDENT AND GOVER PRIZE FINALIST, JUSTIN W. PRICE (AKA, PDXKARAOKEGUY) CONSIDERS HIMSELF A POET FIRST AND FOREMOST BUT IS ALSO A SKILLED SHORT STORY, BIOGRAPHER AND HUMOR WRITER. HIS POETRY COLLECTION,DIGGING TO CHINA, WILL BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 2ND, 2013 BY SWEATSHOPPE PUBLICATIONS AND IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AS WELL AS YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER.
HIS WORK WILL ALSO BE FEATURED IN BEST NEW FICTION (2014 EDITION), AND HAS APPEARED PREVIOUSLY IN THE RUSTY NAIL, EFICTION, EFICTION HUMOR, THE CRISIS CHRONICLES, THE HELLROARING REVIEW AND THE BELLWETHER REVIEW. HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS MANAGING EDITOR OF EHORROR MAGAZINE AND THE BRIDGEONLINE NEWSPAPER. HE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE POETRY AND CORRESPONDENCE EDITOR FOR THE BELLWETHER REVIEW.
HE WORKS AS A FREELANCE WRITER, EDITOR, AND GHOST WRITER, AND IS WORKING TOWARDS HIS PH.D. HE LIVES IN A SUBURB OF PORTLAND, OREGON WITH HIS WIFE, ANDREA, AND THEIR LABRADOODLE, BELLA.
PLEASE VISIT HIS PROFILE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION. THANKS!
More of My Poems
- Human Still
a poem of self righteousness - Mentality
the first poem I ever published, 13 years ago. - The Mouth
a short poem about laughter - Pastels for Versace
a perhaps unfinished poem about conformity - The Beach Umbrella
an old man on the beach, enjoying his daily routine and his afternoon nap
Comments
AUTHORLucky Cats, that's quite the interpretation! I like that idea very much :-)
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Happyboomernurse... I was certainly feeling down that day.
Very interesting, PDX! My first impression is that this is an alien speaking; oppressed by our atmosphere having come from a much dryer, more arid environment. Then, I thought, 'maybe, this is someone experiencing human trafficking and is helpless in the horrific conditions under which he finds himself. Again, it might be the words of a person in the depths of extreme depression; looking for escape by any means..the symbol "ship" could be just about anything.
In this, you have created the perfect prose for someone like me!! UP Interesting Awesome
You perfectly captured the mood of depression and the photo reinforced the dark heavy feelings.
Voted up and interesting.
- AUTHOR
Thanks so much Marissa. I'm pleased that you enjoyed this. It's certainly not a fun feeling
I felt claustrophobic just thinking about being suffocated by such an oppressive depression. The heaviness of it...well captured. Love it!
- AUTHOR
Rebecca, someone said something one time about the brevity and wit, or something. I like my poems short and sweet. I'm glad you enjoyed this!
I like your Haikus very much. I like this one, the Atmosphere. It is a strong poem of few words. I like ALL your Poetry PDQ! I always enjoy them all.
- AUTHOR
Fennelseed, I appreciate the visit and the comment!
Molo, thank you. Hope is important, but, also important, is embracing your feelings.
Malchiah, thank you for reading and visiting and commenting. The idea of symmetry is an important one. I'm glad you took notice!
This piece speaks to the idea of the appreciation for air to breathe, particularly after a point where it's been taken for granted. Love the symmetry that it brings and the reality that it envokes. Nicely done!!
The imagery conjured up is stifling and oppressive and yet in the end a glimmer of hope.
Nice one Justin.
Your words ooze heavy oppression, longing for air and freedom. You create that simply and beautifully with words. Skillful writing PDX. My votes to you.
- AUTHOR
Sue, I'm sure you're not alone! That prospect is horrifying! Thanks for the compliment and for reading!
Hi PDX
"like being buried
beneath
a fleece
blanket in
one hundred percent
humdity."
That would be my definition of hell.
Great poem. Well expressed.
Voted up and awesome.
- AUTHOR
horseback, thank you. I appreciate your input!
Yup ! I like it Too........:-}
- AUTHOR
Cred, indeed. Last night, when my wife came home, we sat on the couch, with just candle light and watched out our window as the wind played with the trees. It was glorious!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Food for thought, I am reminded of the several occasions where my and my spouse lie of chaise lounges and look up and explore the vastness of the universe at night, protected and conforted within the transparent womb of our heated nitrogen/oxygen envelope maintained at a comfortable 70 degrees. There is always a great deal to marvel about, thanks Cred2
- AUTHOR
April, what a kind thing to say. Thank you for reading. I have a 100 hubs and usually add new ones every couple of days, so, reading my hubs could be considered a full time job :-) Thanks for taking the time!
I have so many things I need to do and yet here I sit, caught up in your writing, reading your hubs one after another, enjoying every one...will i ever get my work done?
- AUTHOR
Movie Master, this poem for me helped PROVIDE the fresh air I needed. it's great to have a creative outlet for those days when you're down in the dumps and I pity those that don't!
Penmepretty and Jen, thank u very much. I appreciate you guys and your comments!
Very powerful poem, awesome PDX.
So expressive and real. Good job!!!
This poem was so well written, it made me crave for fresh air, love the picture.
- AUTHOR
Racin and Gypsy, I appreciate your interpretation of this poem. I can totally see how what you said fits and, yet, it was the furthest thing from my mind when I composed this.
Cloud, indeed. that's what makes poetry so fun to read and write. It leaves much to the imagination.
Willstar- thanks for saying so! I slaved over that line for a long long time. Glad at least one person appreciated it :-)
b. Malin, thanks for the kind words. great compliment coming from u!
Ruby, yes, I was having a really lousy day. Much better now, though!
@ Minnetonka, thanks for the compliment on the word choices. I spend a lot of time chooses the right words. Thanks for noticing!
Thanks for all the reads and the comments
I love your word choices for this poem- Powerful and I feel as though I can't breathe. The picture you chose gives me the willies. I sure hope this wont be mother earth in our future.
Feeling a wee down are we? Made me wanna go outside for a breath of fresh air. Brighter day tomorrow..Cheers Oh, i forgot to tell you this is unique and quite interesting..
Lots of meanings to this Lovely Poetry...and I also agree, a Very Interesting Picture. Ode, to the Air we Breathe
"like being buried
beneath
a fleece
blanket in
one hundred percent
humidity."
Very good!
Unique usage of words here, this is why I love poetry. I read it three times over and got differing meanings each time. Awesome indeed voted up.
Pollution will do it to you every time. Well put.
it's so sad to think what has happened to our air...thanks for the reminder...
- AUTHOR
Audrey- thanks. I loved that picture when I found it
Alastar- perhaps indeed. Thanks. I love being concise.
Andrea- thanks. We all have, I'm sure. That's life.
Ardie- thanks for writing. Always nice to see you here. I'm not usually down in the dumps so, when I am, it's worth writing about.,
wow, lots of "A" commenters.
Jill, thanks for reading. I'm glad you enjoyed this piece :-)
Short but effective! Makes you feel the desperate need for air!
I've been there and feel it more often than not. But for those infrequent visitors the door out is the third on the left.
Seriously, though...the heavy feelings pass. Excellent cramming so much feeling into so few words
I've sought that same ship many times myself. Well written and so relatable!
Hmm, perhaps the suffocating atmosphere snuffed our sufferer out abruptly- on his wish. Concise, different-thumbs up.
Cleverly done--and the picture works well---
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