Lemonade with ice in a tall sweaty glass
takes in sunlight on the porch where I watch
him for hours, creaking his rocker, holding
a transfiguring block of wood.
His pen knife challenges his wrist as a
violin’s bow curves into the will of emotion.
The brim of his hat hides his eyes
as the shadow looks down with
decades of memory.
Chipping and carving out the distressed
knots and splinters which were so a
part of the tree and with me,
silently sipping and swallowing
as the knife bears down again.
Long segments are shed and the
sorcerer only has muted foresight
as the sculpture takes form.
Captivated by the bare recognition
of a figurine with imperfection
and roughness to overcome.
The sun bakes my neck for I am still,
with dry eyes taking in dusty fragments
of history only to let them wash clean
in the wake of satisfaction,
which is still an unpolished hope
that his creation is beautiful.
Author notes
S t e v e S
A contest entry
- Metaphysical Poetry by aslanlight.
575 points, ended June 26, 9 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Phobic Rounds [auditions] by Kiss the girl--x.
400 points, ended October 29, 46 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 24 of 24
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oh i have only just began to read you and i find a wonderful poet inside you
with each line i read
isee images of
the creation
wonderful just wonderful
and your flow was perfect
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What a beautiful comment. Thank you.
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This is such a beautiful poem, it made me think of my father and not much takes me there. It was like watching or dreaming on a hot summers day. It put a lump in my throat and teas in my eyes.
Very well done.
Thanks for the comment on my poem.
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ap name in an?
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Excellent
Another very skillful and well worded write. Your images are always so stunning and masterfully done. Thank you for sharing.
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While Art Appreciation 201, or similarly numbered courses,
seek to foster that devotion, you achieve it under the hot sun,
if total appreciation. Knots and splinters and beauty----a perfect capture!
M-C
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Stunningly well versed light and sweet at first then came a knife to the second stanza which made the succeeding stanza powerful and rich in imagery. I could feel the words carving in my thoughts...Great craft!
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Steves. this is exqusite. Glad I came by. I was terribly distracted by my fear of cutting myself with a knife, and had to calm down a bit. Reading the other comments helped quite a bit. I didna like sorcerer; unless it is a word play on source...
Don't think a dark art reference fitting a pastoral leitmotif reinforced with porch, lemonade, sunshine, rockers, worth enhancing -
I really enjoyed reading this one. You have painted a picture with words.
Your outstanding imagery placed me at the scene describe.
Wonderful work my friend!
Hugs
~Lisa~
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YOUR POEM is pure and written with beauty of a real poet.
I wish you luck in the contest
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Well done!
I absolutely loved the way you shared this story in poetic form. The imagery is captivating as you slowly show the depth of what is taking place. I was right there with you on the porch and I too could feel the heat of the day. Very nice! joy
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I absolutely loved to read this.
I could visualize the scene of the apparition of an old man, sitting on this porch, whittling away on a block of wood. I can imagine that this man may have passed away some time ago, sitting on this porch while he worked on carving a pipe, and his spirit still lingers in that chair for decades. I can still hear him whittling away if I listen closely enough.
You're an outstanding writer/poet, Steve. It's not surprising you've received so many trophies in the short time you have been on AP. I've enjoyed every poem I have read of yours, and I will continue to read them (at least when my computer isn't getting constantly invaded by viruses like it has been lately).
Don
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oh wow...i wonder wat made you write this...its interesting and it shows you think alot and put hidden memories and feeling into it..idk if im write but i felt like it meant alot to you when you wrote it..like as if it has a deeper meaning or soemthing.
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I so love your work, the way you embroider your imagery like a fine tapestry, it really is incredibly good
thankyou
T
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I think your comment is very poetic indeed. Thank you so much for that.
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story poetry and you do it very well.
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an artist's delight,
good poem.
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bravo
great job with this piece, really good insight here.
intelligantly done my friend.
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Your imagery is breathtaking; you really capture the reality of the scene and the comparison between the man who carves and God mouding us is excellent!
Peace Georgia
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I rather thought 'father' or 'grandfather' but perhaps, really, it is God who is carving and holding your attention so utterly. I don't know. But this is wonderful. I can smell the fresh-cut wood. x
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Great imagery and a terrific poem that was a delight to read and ponder. Best of luck in the contest.
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Brilliant! Like the potter,we are blessed by the carver...delightful read, imagery is phenominal. BLessings.
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Outstanding
I am in absolute awe of this poem.
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OMG
This is absolutely stunning! Very much the kind of poetry my heart leaps to read. The story and the underlying truth are so clear and precisely drawn. Thank you so much for sharing. Lita
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