Geographically distant
And yet still close
She consumes him vicariously
Through his verse
Her phone call spurs
A delicate dance between,
More than friends…
But less than lovers
Like honey dripping
On a Kalahari day
This easy banter dissolves
Into an engaging waltz
Reminiscing about another time,
Another place, another poem
They stroke the edges of
Could be, what ifs and perhaps
With half his heart in far away Indy
He was lonely
It wasn’t the country that was foreign
It was his life
And she, so very married
Her heart a shackled compromise
In the cargo confines
Of a listing matrimonial ship
She recalls that day at Stanley…
You hid on me in the crowd
Only to reveal yourself
In a burst of heartfelt laughter
Emanating from the twinkle in your eyes
Needs being met, hearts seeking refuge,
Respite from seclusion, they were
Poetry pondering the pen
On the plains of solitaire
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2005
Author notes
It never ceases to amaze me how a creative muse manifests in my mind. A simple phone call from a long time friend triggers memories that flood my mind with vivid emotions of what at the time seemed like a rather innocuous moment. Years later and perhaps a more objective perspective allows me to put all that into verse. In gratitude for those times, the walks, the talks and the comfortable silence, I dedicate this poem to you.
Always,
Henri
Written February 1st, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 23 of 23
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I assume Indy is Indianapolis? If not that's alright. This is where I live and I was curious. In reading your work as when I read others I am always looking for 'differences' that I envy rather than places I can be critical. This piece in general strikes me as one of those things I wish I was better at. I have a sense of my abilities and am not ashamed of them to the point that I scoff at some criticism and accept other. I read this through a couple of times. I was curious if you intended to say you hit on me in the crowd or if hid is a vernacular I am not familiar with. Secondly, this piece must have hit home with anyone who has had a strained relationship and spoke with an old 'friend'. Finally for me, the most poetic part of this one is the statement that was, that it wasn't the country that was foreign but his life. That is what I mean by somewhere I can learn from you if it is in me to do so. You know really we are not writing for each other here, but writing to the world for those here to help us and we can help them not by blatant criticism but by lending our strengths to each others weaknesses. Again, I wish I could have penned this one and I suppose that is the greatest review one could receive. RC
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Your poem The Plains of solitare
I really feel the loneliness in this one. I think it is written very well. Thanks for sharing
trekkergirl
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"Her heart a shackled compromise
In the cargo confines
Of a listing matrimonial ship"
Outstanding lines!!
The imagery in this piece is amazing! I loved it!
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If one spirit allows another to feel comfort in silence and words are merely obstructions for feelings flowing freely, a level of communication has been reached that no physical distance can ever end. Both poem and writer's comment are saturated in a form of understanding has emerged that is beyond measure and time. I found it encouraging and wonderful to read. Thank you.
Rage -
Oh! Hmmmm... this struck a nerve or three with me! This poem takes one through many emotions, the longing, the sorrow, the can't be the what if - I am particularly drawn to verses 1, 2, 4, 6, and the final one. Well, hell, all of it is good, I just like the rhythym of the words you use, the places in my own memories you open up again. "her heart a shackled compromise in the cargo confines of a listing matrimonial ship" - oh! Superb imagery, my friend. Reminds me of my own seasickness!...And the tugging yet impossible threads that bind and cut in a long distance relationship... Another good poem, and thank you for writing and posting again.
Sheona
x -
wow! think i know how you feel as i am living so far away from home too with thoughts wandering around the globe, and really considering a face to face confrontation with situational relationships intriguingly difficult to understand...thanks for visiting my site...
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"It wasn’t the country that was foreign/It was his life"
Most have felt this sometime or another. It's wonderful that you've connected/bonded with someone who helps you better understand yourself and journey through life. Such relationships are rare. This poem is gentle, peaceful... and perhaps a bit whistful. Still, I enjoyed reading every word. Thank you for posting. Kindest regards, Helen
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sigh... simply beautiful.. really. Distance so easily bridged through words.. sometimes to a depth more than an eye to eye would bring. .. Strangely enough it can make some things less lonely and others lonlier still.. I had once thought that contact such as this could not occur but I witnessed too many who have found something a world away.. something they thought they may never find..
You manage to put an amazing amount of both depth in words that sound almost effortless.
~~Lisa -
Beautifully Penned in Passion
I love your rhythm rhyme
But I love your meaning more
I see more of you than before
I'm just beginning to see the heartbeat of you
I’m just beginning to see your beauty truth
Who know where love goes
When were all alone on a solitary road
I don’t need to butter you up
By saying this and that we naturally touch
You know I love you for you
Our solitary rose of truth blooms
You know I can express my self in rhyme
You know I love you within golden time
"Life is an ocean/love is a boat/when the water gets rough/yours keeps me afloat."
In love, did we miss the boat?
As your love sings me afloat
In the smoky haze
I found my way to your heart today
Touch me in your heartbeat
Touch me in your memories
As we sing in one silent spring
Of the happiness true love brings
Trysails of valentines in the moonlight
As your ship passes me by
Dancing by the North Star in twilight
You love is deep within the sunrise
As I touch the solitary twinkle in your eyes
Oh, two ships that past endlessly in the night
Oh the burning desire of our love on fire
As you reach up to take our love higher
I inscribed love as solitaire today just for you
I’ve sung my songs in threads of golden blue
Along the cobblestone byways of my soul
I see you soar and linger close in one red rose
Oh the happiness of love as this
Is pure divine port wine and bliss
Tenderness abounds in our silent sounds
Our melodies fill the atmosphere out-of-bounds
O Romeo you sing to me today
You step inside of my heartbeat
Until I can only hear, the drums beat
Along your lonely roads of soul street
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I'm glad your muse prompted you to write this. Very enjoyable and interesting read..especially the last stanza. You share your innermost thoughts and feelings and awaken thoughts and feelings in your readers. Very nicely done!
<3 Maureen
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Muses do pop out from behind the most innocuous events and thoughts at times, it is what makes them so intriguing in a way. The story travels, yet is written poetically. And, yes as I'm sure other comments have proven, a subject that many can relate to in their own ways. I'm no different in that respect.
"They stroke the edges of
Could be, what ifs and perhaps" I like the imagery of stroking the edges of these things, a wonderful way to describe it, more elqouent than some of my past attempts. Your writing does hold an elegance and eloquence. Yet you don't fall into the pit of verbosity and cryptic metaphor (I often do).
There is an openess to you and your writing. It's wonderful.
~Jan -
You know, I read this and it took me straight into it! the reasonings, it is very well written and comes home right in my heart. I won't say much for the sake of my ownself ( sounds selfish don't it? ) I really like this and will share it with a friend of mine. Thanks Ferg, this is very pleasent for me.
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Lovely words reminicing the past, provoking the future. The imagery your words have created add to the excellence of the work. Well written...mal
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Brilliant
Geographically distant
And yet still close
She consumes him vicariously
Through his verse...
I think without a doubt we are touched in ways we sometimes cannot define.Moments are triggered by a word, a sound, and of course a simple phone call. More than a few will relate to this, analyze the steps you took in creating this brilliant write! I always found that a moment of joy is followed by a moment of silence, between two people....I dunno, thats just my observation. I enjoyed this excellent waterfall of emotional awareness! Simply stunning!
~Kimberly~ -
Poignant
This poem is wistful but not sad,more celebratory in fact. It speaks to me of a love between friends that could have had the potential to go further since it blossomed at a time when the two people were seeking refuge but the true beauty of it is that the transience of the friendship lent it a magical sparkle of what could have been and it clearly was meaningful in recollection years later.A well written poem of some substance. camus -
liked this poem it wa swell worded and awsome i am glad you gave me the privlage to read it.
How long have you been writing? and how long on this site? you should keep writing poetry because you are very good and could go along way i garentee it? Any way keep posing me your stuff and i will replie
So have a very good day and make sure you keep safe
from cheescake
p.s keep posting you are an awsome poet
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i really liked this, the imagery was excellent, the only problem i had was the text, it clashed a little with the background. i got a bit of eye strain from it
otherwise it's excellent. keep up the great work
til
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So far and few between my friend, reading your words is like a cool drink on a warm day. This is absolutely delicious and she is a lucky girl
Red -
Beautiful!
As always, Henri your poems are filled with imagery and emotions - and yes, DEPTH of thought and feeling. What a lovely memory you've painted here....I think many people reading this poem will think...yes, now I remember some phone calls and someone special too. Strange (but maybe not so strange) I've had almost the exact same experience - a phone call out of the blue and how wonderful it has been to replay the scenes of long ago. Lovely poem - one that lingers and falls softly on the senses. I love the almost delicate, nostalgic touch you bring into your poetry - such a joy to read! You are also one of the few people on this site that knows how to match a picture with a poem. Often I feel that the pictures distracts something from the poem, but you, Haran and Oisin are the three people I know of that pulls it off so effortlessly and perfectly. Thank you for sharing this memory - the happiness that you remember and for stirring my own memories too!
~ Nicolette
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9/10
I have to say that as a DETESTER of prose, I was thoroughly impressed with this piece.
It was deep and meaningful, and VERY well written. The rhythm was excellent.
Will check out some of your other work to see if you can rhyme as well.
Well done.
Robin. -
you have a great memory and reminisce the things of past.. very well in this poem..
great write.. and also dedicating this to your friends is such a sweet doings..
love
rock faerie -
And made me a puddly mess. Such a delicate word play, Henri. When hearts connect, love transcends definition when it is between to true and honest hearts, wrong morphs into that need to find a comfortable common ground. Once found, it is solid,
and unshakeable.
Maddie -
The picture goes so well withthe words you have wrote.
You give the feeling of longing and reminiscence. I really enjoyed this piece
Mia
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