We clean away
The way we clean—
A clear path to oblivion—
Dust removal.
“Don’t touch please.
I’m waiting for it to dry.”
I’m waiting for it to dry.”
How sly.
Wouldn’t want me to dry.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: July 13th, 2025 07:27
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 36
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, Poetic Licence, Friendship
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Comments10
Many interpretations here don't know which one to start with. As a race we clean off nature in our path, as humans we clean off other fellow beings enemies, in genocides and wars, as individuals we clean off those not important to us by ignoring or slighting sometimes murder. Would we want to dry and let everyone step on us? Good write Tristan I am sure that others will see this differently with other interpretations but this is the most obvious to me at the moment.
Soren, my friend—first off, sincere apologies for the delay in responding. My schedule has been all over the place and was without consistent Internet connection. I was connecting via a hotspot when I could. I’m just now re-emerging. Thank you for such a thoughtful read. Your interpretation is razor-sharp and haunting...especially that middle lens: how we “clean off” fellow humans in the name of convenience, power, or detachment. That question you posed...“Would we want to dry and let everyone step on us?”...honestly gave me chills. Exactly, my friend. Thank you again! Your time and your analysis are always appreciated 🌫️🧼👣🙏
Hello Tristan,
This is a strange one; one could take it as it is, at face value, as it were, or open to interpretation. It's very clever, quirky even. What I reap from it is: 'Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.' As an off the cuff remark, sly-like as you have expressed. Intriguing, my good fellow.
You are in fine spirits, I trust,
Tony.
Tony, my good friend...apologies for the delay in responding! My schedule’s been a bit unruly and I was without steady Internet, hopping on via hotspot when I could. Just now catching up with comments.
I love that you picked up on the slyness here...there is a bit of smirk beneath the dust cloth, so to speak. And yes, your read is on. Always appreciate your thoughtful eye and support. Thank you again! Your time and your analysis are always appreciated. 🌫️🧼👣🙏
Our fresh washed floor signs are yellow here in Chicagoland, printed in English and Spanish saying, "Caution, Wet Floor." But your illustration is a warning, fiery red. Fascinating. Beautiful in brevity, encapsulating more than what appears, the most eerie fact is our utter inability to cleanse ourselves before the LORD, which painful fact drives the latter herein addressed, methinks. Haha, and now I am at a loss for words. Excellently rendered with pointed imagery and a very haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
Missy, first...my sincerest apologies for the delay. My schedule’s been upside down and I was without steady Internet for a bit, checking in only through my spotty hotspot in an area with not the greatest cell service. I’m slowly getting back into the groove now.
Your comment gave me so much to sit with. The contrast between yellow caution signs and this red, metaphorical one…yes. You honed in on something I hadn’t even consciously realized—the fire in that “don’t touch” moment, and how much weight it can carry, both spiritually and emotionally.
You’re right: it’s about more than what we can or can’t cleanse. The piece was sparked by a very personal, human moment—one that stung a bit more than it should have—and it turned into something that surprised even me. Your reading gave it even more resonance. I always cherish your insights, my dear friend. 🌫️🧼👣🙏
You're entirely too kind. Thank you, Tristan.
You are most welcome, Missy!
This is like a can of worms with the many interpretations there could be , mine the destructive nature of man constantly cleaning what is front of him or he doesn't like or agree with, very intriguing write
Tobani, my friend...so sorry for the delay in getting back to you. My schedule’s been out of sync and I’ve been without steady Internet, checking in through a spotty hotspot when I could. Finally getting back on track. 😅
I really appreciate your read here...“constantly cleaning what is in front of him or he doesn't like or agree with” is such a potent frame. That impulse to erase, remove, sterilize… even when it’s emotional or ideological. You caught a major nerve in the poem, and it means a lot that it resonated. Thank you again, my friend. 🌫️🧼👣🙏 Hope you have a great evening!
You are very welcome
Excellent write Tristan
Tony...my apologies for the delay! My schedule’s been crazy and I didn’t have consistent Internet access for a few days. Just catching up now. Thank you so much for the kind words...I really appreciate your time and support. 🌫️🧼👣🙏
You're welcome
This is short and soft, but it feels strong inside. The last lines are a little mysterious, like there is a hidden feeling. Very nicely written dear Tittu 🌹
Dearest Salvia...apologies for the delay in replying! I’ve been without reliable Internet the past few days and only just now getting reconnected. Your comment. Thank you so much, my dear friend, for your time and your insights. The last lines came to me as I was being told not to touch something before it dried. Those words came into my head and a poem was born that, of course, becomes open to interpretation and is, as you rightly put, a bit mysterious. I really liked that about it and I am glad that stuck out to you too. Again, your time, your insights, and your friendship are deeply valued. 🌫️🧼👣🙏🌹
i don't suppose I will get any cryptic meanings there may be in this poem! When do I ever? lol.
Orchi! Sorry for the delayed reply...my Internet was dodgy (like a certain US President's hair) the past few days, and I’ve just now caught up. As for cryptic meanings, I keep them down in the crypt, directly beneath a Popeye and Obi Wan sky. Bring the brolly and don\'t ask why! Kinda like Noah...just build the Ark/bring the brolly. 😂 Always appreciate you stopping by—even when the poem’s a bit slippery. 🌫️🧼👣🙏🌹
Excellent work.
Thomas...thank you so much, and apologies for the delay in replying! My Internet’s been a bit of a mess the past few days, and I’m just now getting caught up. I truly appreciate your time and kind words, my friend. 🌫️🧼👣🙏
Well said. The poem captures a tension between the desire for cleanliness and the fear of losing something valuable in the process.
Thank you so much...and apologies for the delay in replying! I’ve been off-grid the past few days with unreliable Internet and only just now catching up. I really appreciated your take, my dear friend. That tension you named...between wanting to clean and the fear of erasing something essential...that’s exactly what I was getting at. Grateful for your time and insight...always! 🌫️🧼👣🙏
Welcome Back,,,,,,,,,,,,,😊❤️👍
Thanks!
Though I'm not sure the original intention... I only say my own thoughts. For how often I do my best to keep wet so no hands will pry at me.
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