That’s true — I try to shift from the literal a lot. And the use of photos makes that more even more interesting when I am writing, particularly this concept of stumbling upon the unexpected (I don’t know what Bud has chosen)
Kevin
A light stood in the corner of
Grandma’s living room
for as long as I
could remember.
It was nothing fancy—probably
a purchase from the ’70s
that found it’s way
into a comfortable home
and lived a
full life.
Oh, the things that light saw–
children playing in front of the
wood-burning stove on
Thanksgiving, sucking down
deviled eggs and
laughing.
Aunts and uncles drinking
High Balls in funky glasses,
sharing stories from a
long forgotten
past.
Neighbors passing through
on their way to the
country store, grabbing
a Black Label on the
back porch and
breathing in the
sun for awhile.
Moments of tenderness as
Grandma was dying, lungs
ravaged by cancer, Pop
by her side and her children torn,
wanting her to live but praying
for a painless passing.
A light stood in the corner of
Grandma’s living room
for as long as I
could remember.
It was nothing fancy—probably
a purchase from the ’70s
that found it’s way
into a comfortable home
and lived a
full life.
Who left the light on?
Turn it off!
Pick up your toys!
Sit down and eat!
Brush your teeth!
Close the door!
Hang it up!
Take off your shoes!
Hurry up!
Slow down!
Hard to remember all this?
Don’t worry, I’m here to remind you.
Oh, one more:
I love you!
Andrew
I love the “Ralphie peeks” phrase. Something innocent, and yet not-so-innocent, about that (maybe it is the fishnet stocking image in my head that comes before Ralphie)
Kevin
As a teacher
I tried to shine the light of knowledge
on my students
I worked so hard to enlighten the lowest performing
and enrich the highest performing
that sometimes
sometimes
the average kids
who knew enough to pass the test
enough to get by
didn’t get lots of my time
or my light…
photo credit: gomattolson #
(Just a note: I am happily married.)
I’ve felt you twist me like a light bulb
one too many times
not think that I am about to be replaced
with someone whose a bit more efficient.
You know how many hours I’ve burned brightly,
just waiting for you here?
Or how long I have sat plunged in the darkness,
waiting to be turned on?
My phosphorous burns for you;
my filament, just a flimsy metaphor for
how fragile life can be in this glass-enclosed space.
Like a child of the Sun, I cast light,
and amidst the incandescence, I create shadow silhouettes to remind you
of how much you need me.
http://vocaroo.com/?media=vdvrgyyeKDMY35CP1
What I love the best about your poems, Kevin, is that you can move from a tangible object to an abstract feeling pretty easily.
When I see a light, I’m stuck writing about a light! When you see a light, you’re writing about relationships.
Very cool.
That’s true — I try to shift from the literal a lot. And the use of photos makes that more even more interesting when I am writing, particularly this concept of stumbling upon the unexpected (I don’t know what Bud has chosen)
Kevin
A light stood in the corner of
Grandma’s living room
for as long as I
could remember.
It was nothing fancy—probably
a purchase from the ’70s
that found it’s way
into a comfortable home
and lived a
full life.
Oh, the things that light saw–
children playing in front of the
wood-burning stove on
Thanksgiving, sucking down
deviled eggs and
laughing.
Aunts and uncles drinking
High Balls in funky glasses,
sharing stories from a
long forgotten
past.
Neighbors passing through
on their way to the
country store, grabbing
a Black Label on the
back porch and
breathing in the
sun for awhile.
Moments of tenderness as
Grandma was dying, lungs
ravaged by cancer, Pop
by her side and her children torn,
wanting her to live but praying
for a painless passing.
A light stood in the corner of
Grandma’s living room
for as long as I
could remember.
It was nothing fancy—probably
a purchase from the ’70s
that found it’s way
into a comfortable home
and lived a
full life.
You nicely capture the cacophony of life. I see the light in the corner of the room, of the family.
Kevin
Who left the light on?
Turn it off!
Pick up your toys!
Sit down and eat!
Brush your teeth!
Close the door!
Hang it up!
Take off your shoes!
Hurry up!
Slow down!
Hard to remember all this?
Don’t worry, I’m here to remind you.
Oh, one more:
I love you!
Gosh
That sounds just like our house. (three boys)
Kevin
Living room window,
Fishnet stockinged, centre stage.
Ralphie peeks. It’s gone…
Andrew
I love the “Ralphie peeks” phrase. Something innocent, and yet not-so-innocent, about that (maybe it is the fishnet stocking image in my head that comes before Ralphie)
Kevin
reference:
Subplots (“major award”)
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Story?wasRedirected=true
Of course!!!!!
I knew I had a cultural reference floating around somewhere in my head.
Nice one
As a teacher
I tried to shine the light of knowledge
on my students
I worked so hard to enlighten the lowest performing
and enrich the highest performing
that sometimes
sometimes
the average kids
who knew enough to pass the test
enough to get by
didn’t get lots of my time
or my light…