A brief explanation: This is my own tribute to a young artist and poet who died long before her time. Angel Yates was pronounced dead after a steady decline in health characterized by extreme fatigue and exhaustion. I never got to meet her in person but her work really spoke to me during a rough time in life. This one's for you kid.
Eulogy for Angel Yates
I'm just a traveler here.
I wished for a new life,
for painted stories,
new friends,
dancing away my strife.
I'm just a prisoner here.
Although I'm free in mind,
bound by remorse
so sweet
that willingly I see blind.
I'm just a sinner here.
I'll tell you anything I can.
Strange fascinations,
enticing,
Lies we'll spread across the land.
I'm just a watcher here.
Read words from far away.
Thoughts collide and shatter
and echo
and glitter and decay.
I'm just uncertain here.
Ethereal truths we built
to spark thunderous
applause
but the thought inspires guilt.
I'm just a dreamer here,
Imagining her rhyme:
"I'll leap through air, and
if I die,
It's only in my mind."
She was a dreamer here.
Pixel skies never strange,
even when torn by
hurricane;
frozen dreams never change.
-Jay
This definitely resonates to me more than it did previously. The imagery in it is really gorgeous. I like it.
ReplyDeleteI never knew Angel in life but knew of her from her website mutedfaith and then later, onnachance. I always wondered why she stopped updating and today, nostalgic for the hilarious quizzes she had on her site I went on a web search to see if she made a new website that I wasn't aware of and then found out she passed away in 2009. She was a wonderful and gifted artist and had a great sense of humor. The world is a sadder place without her. Your poem really moved me. I'm glad people still mention her and keep her memory alive.
ReplyDelete-Christina
Hi Christina, thanks for the reply!
DeleteThat's pretty much what happened to me, too. I found out she passed on in 2010 and was pretty floored by the news, that's when the idea for this tribute first sparked. I'm glad she was able to make such a great impact on her fans that we're still talking about her years later.
Also, if you use the Way Back Machine (http://archive.org/web/web.php) you can actually go back and see a bit of mutedfaith and onnachance. Not all of them, but a lot of the text bits (like the one liners!) are archived, which is really nice!
I have moved this to my new site if you are curious. I definitely was pretty inspired to make my own site because of how great hers' were and hopefully people will stumble upon my corner of the internet like we stumbled on her's and find something interesting. Here's the poem on my new site:
http://keepcalmandjouston.com/2013/03/08/creative-work-eulogy-for-angel-yates/
Thank you SO much for telling me about the Way Back Machine. Not only are her one liners still available here, but the quizzes, funny away messages, riddles, and some art work are still there too! The internet never ceases to amaze and surprise me. Also, I took a look at your new website. Interesting stuff! I especially liked "How to be Rude: A Guide" 'You look like a flustered T-Rex' is my new favorite thing to say. I could NOT stop laughing about that. :D
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