Tag dVerse Poetics

Gas Street Basin

freyathewriter 27 Comments

Bypasses and ringroads

motorbikes and cars

modern modes of transport

leave their gaping scars upon this land

so green and pleasant,

we yearn for times gone by

but gazing at the narrow-boat

I wonder if our eye has rose-tinted

our view of the water-born

workhorse, now driven for pleasure

coal-carrying forgotten as we

pursue times of leisure and joy.

The canals were our highways,

industry was fuelled by these watery

paths – fumes, dust and noise

clogging the arteries of England’s

long spine.

———–

This week on dVerse Poetics, Shanyn would like us to write about the rhythm of transport. This long weekend, I have been staying with my family who hail from what southerners in England refer to as The North. Well, I was born and brought up in the West Midlands, which is hardly The North, but we do have a lot of industrial history of which to be proud!

Apparently, my birth city of Birmingham has more canals than Venice, and they were used for commerce in support of the the Industrial Revolution. I imagine that they were dusty, noisy, smelly and very, very busy. Traffic jams of narrowboats would have been commonplace, especially in places such as Tardebigge, which has a flight of  30 locks. Taking a boat through a lock system is not to be taken lightly! These days, the canals are used for pleasure, and I think many people tend to to forget that they were the motorways of their day. So, this was my inspiration! Oh, and Gas Street Basin is where a number of canal systems meet in the centre of Birmingham – very pretty now, not so lovely back in the times when it was a working hub of the canal system.

I hope you enjoy this – please pop over to dVerse to see how my fellow poets have been inspired!

Revelation

freyathewriter 43 Comments

Here, take a look at this book.

The truth lies within, we promise you

No, we can’t share who we are with you

We’ll take far more than we give to you

You’ll realise this once we’ve utilised you

We have two faces, we promise you

Here, take a look at this book.

 

jacmel-kanaval-preachers

———–

This week on dVerse Poetics, our bar-keep Anthony has asked us to respond poetically to the stunning photography of Phyllis Galembo. As Anthony tells us ‘she documents mythic figures of the spirit world within the culture of masquerade in Africa’. Out of the generous selection that she has allowed Anthony to share, I chose the image above. Since we have been given free reign to respond in any way we feel, my response should not be taken as any kind of comment on the religious beliefs of the people Phyllis has chosen to photograph – it’s just how my gut responded, mainly to the masks! I think I might have trust issues….

I hope you enjoy my offering, brief as it is, and do take the time to pop over to dVerse to see what other creative juices have created! No two will be alike, I can promise you!

Saluki

freyathewriter 41 Comments

My faithful friend
has soulful eyes and wisdom
beyond her years.
Aeons of understanding
are ensconced inside
that domed and silken skull.
Knowledge pulsates with every heartbeat,
each inward breath absorbs my fears
and calms my concerns.
Oh noble beast, traveller through time
companion of pre-history
right-hand protector to monarchs
and serfs alike.
Continue with me now,
humour my desire for a silent witness
to my trifling joys and tribulations.
I know you are so much more than this – a pet –
be here for me and I will re-pay you a thousandfold.

 

Saluki

*****

MarinaSofia is another new host here at the dVerse Poets Pub. She debuts tonight and as she polishes the glasses, inspects the optics and makes sure the pumps are working at their best capacity (we’re a thirsty lot!), she asks us to ponder on animals. We have free reign to approach our chosen beast in any way we wish – how generous of her!

I have chosen a dog – not because I have one (although, as you may remember, I am sharing a residence with Fuji-sensei), but because I would really, really like to own my own dog someday. Whilst writing this piece, I pictured the noble Saluki, which is one of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dog. Perhaps that will be my breed of choice, one day when I am lucky enough to be able own one?

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my poem – please do visit dVerse and marvel at the talents of my fellow poets!