Tag Poetry

Jazz Man & Views – dVerse Jazz Poetry

freyathewriter 28 Comments

– Jazz Man and Views –

brother believe in your silver-spangled skill-set
stand on the shore, survey the scene
let your guitar sing, reverberate those rhythms
play it again boy, play it with ease

brother believe in your power and your glory
step all aboard, anchors set free
dive into those oceans, manipulate that music
play it all night boy, play with the breeze

brother believe, bring back your tall tales
return to the harbour, head held high
hold fast to the memories, they’ll last you a lifetime
play with your youth boy, play and believe.

*****

This is in honour of my young brother Doug, who sets off today for Barcelona and beyond, playing his guitar and delighting cruise passengers aplenty.  He’s a jazz muso, so this fits perfectly. Dead proud of you little bro, dead proud.

Thank you, dVerse for the timely inspiration. Enjoy many, many more jazz-inspired poems here.

 

The Old Life – dVerse Open Link Week 113

freyathewriter 12 Comments

Because I need to write these days in the same way that I need to breathe, because today has been different and because I like rules, but not too many, here’s my first (and not my last) entry into the dVerse Open Link. In honour of everyone who has lived a life.

*****

The Old Life

Today, we reminisced about old times:
Remember when
and
I’d forgotten how
and
Can you really believe?

Today, we laughed about how they
looked down on us
and
sneered at our clothes
and
told us to behave.

And yet as we shared our memories
of a hotel with ideas above its station,
I held a picture in my mind’s eye 
of a carefree girl with curly brown hair.
Giggling, wearing a shapeless shirt
and those jeans with the broken zip.

And I wonder where she went.
And I wonder.
And I wonder.

Exoskeleton – Līgo Haibun Challenge

freyathewriter 10 Comments

I have really enjoyed the past two weeks of writing a haibun – a piece of prose followed by a haiku poem. The Līgo Haibun Challenge is hosted by Penny, Ye Pirate and Nightlake – why not take a trip to their blogs to find out more and check the InLinkz linky to read other offerings?

This week’s two alternative prompts are the quotes below:

“Not only the thirsty seek the water,

the water as well seeks the thirsty.”

Rumi

 

“If your heart is a volcano,

how shall you expect flowers to bloom?”

Khalil Gilbran

I have chosen Khalil Gilbran as my inspiration this week. Let me know what you think!

*****

– Exoskeleton –

My heart is a desert. I have dragged and hauled my body through the past days and months, every cell and sinew focused on survival, on existence, on staying alive.

My first thoughts on waking turn to food; where to find it, is it safe, how will I cook it, will it keep the hunger pangs at bay?

Next; staying away from dark alleys, empty buildings, yawning mouths of doorways, shattered windows. Shadows threaten. Instincts rule where logic has abandoned us.

Finally; a roof for the night. Crowds hide the worst of all predators, sheltering under tents of sweat-stained blankets tide-marked with mud. I have learned to be solitary. I need nothing except my wits.

Muscles atrophy through lack of use. Our jaws have slackened as chatter recedes. Talking is superfluous. Walking is necessary.

My heart is deserted, shrunken by turbulence, assailed by violence, scarred with misuse. Have I lost you?

carapace keeps safe

but hides my starving heart from

love, for which it yearns

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