From our porch we knew him, a six-foot heap,
Though neither voice nor sound was heard;
Secure we felt atop stairs so steep,
Should he utter a single word.
"Nick", his name, or so they said,
Feigning circles around their ears;
"Loco", said one, pointing to his head,
At least "loco" to one appears.
And oft I thought those Summer days,
Of "Nick", in coveralls of blue;
His gait most strange, and stranger ways,
Much thinking for a boy to do.
Then, one day, ensconced in Summer thought,
A shadow fell and loomed;
It was Nick, I quick an exit sought,
"Dear Mother", I was doomed!
Surprise it was, the voice which came,
Quite gentle, still and warm;
"C'mon to the park", and asked my name,
"Won't do a boy no harm!"
A thousand shades of green it seemed,
Those shaded, bowered lanes;
Fields rife with Summer people teemed,
The Winter's loss, the Summer's gains.
And Nick would sift that resonant sound,
From those thousand parts of air;
From trill to bass did that place resound,
The calliope holding our transfixed stare.
They counted our nickels two by two,
For our fare was well esteemed;
The ticket taker giving Nick salute,
And I, as Nick's eye beamed.
And so in motion they set us spinning,
On that stationery yet rounded course;
One horse whinnying, the other winning,
Lord we screamed till we were hoarse.
I learned a lesson that special day,
To dreams fulfill though small;
To each and every their special way,
And their learning ever recall.
JF Johnson
Allpoetry-bluffininlv
Author notes
I think I mentioned everything in this poem but the brass ring you get on the merry-go-round. Perhaps that is a poem of its own.
Regards-John
What did you think
Comments
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very entertaining
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Thanks a lot RZ
This has been in features a few days now and I'd nearly forgotten I'd posted it.
I guess during low tide a lot of things that were under water show themselves.
Thanks for your note on this, made my day!
John-Nevada USA
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This piece has a whimsical air to it and makes me think back on the innocence of children and the magic that was held in every little thing. The way you phrase all of your lines is something unique, I've never seen anything quite like it. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Well done.
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Dear DE
Thanks a lot for your note on this poem. I guess I chose this to feature because back then, it was a sunny day not unlike this that we are having today.
Again, I'm glad you liked reading it, truly made my day!
John-Nevada USA
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A brilliant read once again from the pen of a great poem. You don't write many very much now but what you do is magnifiscent. This being one of your older ones i had missed. I am going from one end to the other to read all. A lovely piece you have penned here and one which shows that a little innocent child can see through the misconception laid out by society for them. A little fear and then understanding came to pass in this wonderful write. Thank you for this.
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Hi Condor
Glad you liked this poem. It is something that actually occurred when I was a teenager. I thought that something that stood out in my mind for so long needed a poem written. It is a little sloppy in places, maybe one day I'll spend a few minutes with it and make it smoother.
Wish I had a brass ring to give you for your troubles!LOL
Oh, and thanks for the other one as well!
John
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this is a very good write from you today, one i am extremely happy to have read. i thank you for sharing this with me and i am looking forward to reading more from you in the near future. viyanna rosemarie
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Thanks a lot Viyanna...
for taking a look at this. I'm glad you liked it. It is a true story of one day in Summer a long time ago. They don't make Summers like that anymore.
Thanks for your comments on this.
John-Nevada USA
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WELL WRITTEN...!!!
WITH GOOD USAGE OF SHORT CONVERSATIONS...
THE MESSAGE IS POWERFUL AS WELL...
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Dear Rinzususanrajan
Thank you very much for your kind comments on my calliope yesterday.
Sorry for the tardy response to it, but it seems I've gotten a cold.
I'm glad you cared for it. It is one of the first that I've attempted to tell a little story.
Again, thank you very much! It is appreciated.
John-Nevada USA
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I love this, I could hear the calliope music, and Homer's muse, in the same voice. I like the way you showed how unearned judgement can be so easily proved faulty, and the recognition by a child of shared joy as an important event - to the extent that this has become a treasured memory.
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Hi Mercedes
Thanks a lot for your kind appraisal of this poem. It happened exactly as I wrote it. The lesson I learned then as regards Nick, did not really blossom till many years later in a more broader sense. But thank G-d it did!
Again, thank you very much Mercedes, made my day!
John
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really beautiful imagery...the underlying message also struck a chord with me...don't judge someoone before you get to know them is something a lot of us can identify with...well written
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Thanks a lot!
I'm glad you liked this poem of mine.
It did actually happen as I wrote it.
You are very kind to say!
John
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wonderful..
and yes.. I'm glad you linked me to it
'as if' although we do,
it just takes an open eye
and one that will see through
I love the image I'm left with at the end of yours.
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Thank you Liza
You did like it? I'm glad! One very learned lady on here told me that there was a sort of goddess named Calliope who was a real muse of poets and of poetesses.
Happy you did not think I was taking advantage of your kind spirit.
Regards,
John -
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Calliope, yes, daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, and probably more commonly known now as Homer's (that Odyssey guy ) muse.
I did like it, yes, very much in fact, and did not take it as if you were at all.
Best,
Liza
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To each and every their special way,
And their learning ever recall
These two lines stood out the most for me. Well penned
Mylee -
"Loco" I'm afraid we've all done that with the circles.
A touching picture of Nick and the poet on the calliope. Nick seems happier than a lot of "normal" people.
Thank you for entering. -
I have thoroughly enjoyed this read, I was beginning to wonder where the calliope would enter in to it. It seems it takes a child to overcome prejudice. Line 32 was a bit of a stumbling block to me. The imagery in lines 21, 24 and 26 are stunning. A poem about grabbing the brass ring would be perfect, although in a way they have each already found theirs.
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Thanks a lot!
Yeah, I was only eight or nine at the time, but it stayed with all these years.
That line you mentioned kind of gets to me as well.
It's like, "What? What did that say?"lol
I'll have to look at it and see if I can say something just as germane there.
Thanks again!
This is the second time you commented on this, you know?
Next time you do, you get a set of Copenhagen China!lol
Thanks Nichtmich, means a lot!
John-Las Vegas, Nevada
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This is an enjoyable read, seen through the eyes and experience of a child. It's the sense of freedom to take decisions and develop trust without fear, that is so lacking in the world today. The ability of the child to explore the world and people from his own perspective and instinctive drives.
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Thank you very much
Yes, a child is very much like a brilliant scientist! He will not abandon any truth unless he's found some greater truth to hold onto.
A appreciate your taking a look at this poem of mine!
I wish I had a brass ring to give you!
Regards,
John
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this is a very beautifully penned poem, i enjoyed reading it, thankyou for sharing.
keira
liloven -
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Thanks a lot!
I'm glad you liked my poem. I'm also glad you let me know!
I went to your page to see what you are about and see that it is under re-construction! Good luck with it!
John-Las Vegas
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Reminsicing much here.
Calliope, Muse of epic poetry as well, and this is no exception to the epic variety as here, we have maybe a childhood memory and an epic also in reminisce and good old days, as I feel there is much regret about the modern times, when now, indeed winning is at all costs. And it was the sheer innocence as well which goes on in our hearts and over a 'nick'el or two was well worth the trip, in memory and otherwise, greatly appreciated this read. Best Wishes. Tony
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There is a man in our church who is very slow and has sort of a vacant look about him. When we first started going to church here, we kind of avoided him; he was a bit scary. One day our pastor challenged us to stretch ourselves and get to know someone who would not normally be in our circle of friends. We invited this man to our house for dinner - and have been fast friends ever since. In some ways he is a child still and small children are drawn to him. In some ways he is wiser than I will ever be. I thought of him as I read your poem.
I know you were trying to limit your words, but in one place, I think it would be better to add one or two. 'Though voice nor sound was heard;' What you actually mean (I think) is that neither voice nor sound was heard, but that's not what you said. It is implied with the word 'nor' and if that's sufficient for you, then okay. Personally, I would feel more comfortable with the word neither in there.
To each and every their special way,
I really like the sound of this line. In fact, I like the sound of a lot of these lines. Very nice poem. cq -
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Dear CQ
I am looking at your recommendation on the "neither" in the second line and will mull it over. As it is now, I like the sound of your choice there. Just going to think it over a bit.
Thanks again,
John
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This is so beautiful and deeply thoughtful. I enjoyed reading this tale with its wonderful imagery and the well thought out message. So nicely delivered. Well done.
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I too like many others enjoyed reading this wonderful tale, with its rich imagery that goes hand in hand with the message within the lines so deftly written,many thanks for sharing.
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To give a misunderstood or maligned person such a Nick the few hours of a child's innocence to see he is not the monster painted, the carousel and calliope is just a lovely childhood memory with a message that even if the person is not the same as us, we should view him kindly and find out before we pass judgement.
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Oh I enjoyed this John...How long ago was it I heard a calliope play at an exhibition,,,But how interesting, this misunderstood Nick. He had a secret he wanted you to know...tho others thought him strange..loco! This man had a gift,and you were there to lift, his spirits by showing you his worth! A lesson that day as you heard him play...That every person is loved, from their birth! We all have something to give this world, and you had found it in Nick.....A lovely poem John...Love you for sharing it! Wonderful!
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Very good!
Its a very good poem filled with nostlgia, joy and the childish view we all miss now. The imagery is awesome and your words are confident. Wonderful! -
Thanks on behalf of Calliope!
John -
This was a wonderful and thought provoking poem. Quite different from the poetry I usually read.. Unique and a message all its own. I enjoyed reading this, loved it to no end. I am afraid that I did not know what I Calliope was, but liked the word anyway.. it kind of pulled me into the poem.. maybe because I did not know what it was and was curious of what the poem would revolve around. Wonderful job, my friend and I thank you for entering such superb poetry into my contest.
Amy -
Thank you princess for your comments on this poem yesterday. Means the world to get nice feed-back.
Thanks again,
Bluff -
Thanks Gran for (re)reading my poem yesterday! I had posted this a while back and had gotten some luke-warm responses, so I tried it again.
Gran, I'm looking at how many comments you've made, and it looks more like the national debt than anything else!LOL
Thanks for remembering Gran!
John -
Dear BabyD,
Appreciate your taking the time to look at htis poem yesterday.
Glad you liked it. About that "oft" word, I guess I was trying too hard to make it sound poetic. Am going to re-think using it since you brought it up! THANKS!
Bluff -
Dear Clovis,
Thanks a lot for your comments on my poem. Made my day!
John -
Dear Soulful Woman,
How kind of you to comment on my Calliope poem yesterday.
You are the very first person to mention the character in my poem!
Awesome!
Thanks so much!
Bluff -
Dear Vivela,
Thanks for taking the time to read my Calliope poem. I'm thrilled that you liked it!
Bluff -
Dear OTG,
Thanks for your kind comments on my Calliope poem the other day. Means a lot!
Bluff -
"Sorry... I am babbling..."
No, brooks babble. But to see/hear you on my pc screen was just as much a joy.
Dear Vera,
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence here with this, as
I'm a bit fearful any time I post it.
Some people have commented that I might be plagiarizing Of Mice and Men, or To Kill A Mockingbird, though to be even mentioned in the same group of text as those is an honor. Actually, the story is a true one and just thought to put it on paper, as it were.
I trust you are doing well. I had been looking for you on the "on-line" list and hadn't seen you for a while. To tell the truth, I got a little afraid. No, not for you, brave heart...afraid for poetry!
As you can see, I've not written anything in many, many months and am posting poems I've written, two, maybe three years ago.
I feel like an actor in the retirement home reading and re-reading his credits!LOL And that is maybe what I am doing! I must snap out of these doldrums soon before I atrophy.
My younger brother passed away two weeks ago, and it hit me harder than I'd anticipated given that I knew it was coming as did he.
"How strange it is
With so much gone
Of love and life
To still live on!"
BTW-I mispronounced it as well!LOL
Bluff
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Some interesting insights here...
And how excellent to see that you pronounce "Calliope" in the proper fairground manner" "Cally-ope!" = rhyming with "pally soap".
I remember back in the 1950/60s hearing one of the big names in poetry - could it have been John Betjeman - reading at The Poetry Society a poem called "I am the Cally-ope!" - which satirized the Oh-so-sophisticated poets who pronounced the name of the fairground engine "Call-eye-oh-pay!" - as if they were speaking about the Muse.
I really love these demotic pronunciations - like "Bully Ruffian" for "Bellerophon" (the ship during the Napoleonic wars) or "Ure-dice" for Eurydice (another famous ship - late 19th century - sunk by a sudden squally off the Isle of Wight after her top-hamper had been sighted from Portsmouth - Winston Churchill as a small boy walking with his Nanny on the cliffs actually saw her go down - and my great-great-uncle Harry was among those lost on her!) Incidentally: Gerald Manley Hopkins wrote a poem on the wreck of the Eurydice - and got the pronunciation wrong!
Sorry... I am babbling...
Keep up the good work! -
Thiis was an iinterestiing wriite. Very good though and enjoyable. Keep up the good work!!!
Soon to be queen but now stiill the...
Nubiian Priincess -
Remember reading this a long time ago - it's one that ticks in your mind for the message it sends.
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this was neat to read, just one question was oft, suppose to be like that or did you mean to say often, just seemed a little off there, the rest of it well, It brought me back to grade school, and the fear of the girl down the street. I realy enjoyed it
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Excellant
Well done. quite enjoyable. -
I thought this was a very thought provoking piece. I am amazed at how people can write so wonderfully and just capture you from the first line. I also love Nick...Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece
Soulful Woman -
What a great philosophical poem. The calliope is a tool for teaching that we make judgments we shouldn't make. Don't be too fast to size up people. I love your poem!! Warm Regards..vivela
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absolutely beautiful!!!!!!
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Hey You!
What's happening, dudette?LOL
Haven't you seen this? I've got your fingerprints all over my things and was sure you'd seen this one.
How's things? When you going to put up your D'Maggio-Monroe poem?
I love that thing. Even posted it myself a couple of times in the favs box.
Hope your doing well and feeling well.
Went to your page the other day and read for the first time your "Don't Call Me Paddy". My brogue is in the shop right now, so that is the best I can do!LOL
Thanks again Pat! If I haven't gotten back to you as often as I'd like on your e-mails, it is because I have to take a really convoluted course to get on aol mail and do not check it too often. Do not stop though, as I love the stuff you send, just don't have a lot of things to return to you.
Love
John
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Great
Love this! -
This is really sweet.... Aha... the simple pleasures of childhood. We sure did see things different back then...
Great poem and wonderful imagery...
Hugs & Laughter
Pat -
I love it I can close my eyes and be there, I'm saving this one. Thank you good write
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You certainly have ALOT of talent! I loved pretty much everything about this
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this poem has a wonderful flow and is simple to understand. however, though simple to understand, it also is thought-provoking, especially because at some time or another we have all met that person that we fear due to prior judgments and misunderstandings.
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A very well written poem with such meaning and truth. Thank you for sharing this all of us. Very strong and wonderfully done.
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Super
Most excellent story of our human nature. As children we fear the "boogey man", and as adults we realize he is a serial killer, our ex's or that neighbor with the needle tracks.
Boogy men change, buy they never go away, Well-done!
I am out of points or would have applauded this. hugs WolfHeart -
The themes people are picking up on here only feel real because that's what good works of art do - great songs sound familiar the first time you hear them. The same applies here: the only themes that are being repeated are the ones already in the readers' heads just waiting for someone to write them down.
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This has nostalgia, atmosphere, retrospection and a great flow. I like this very much John.
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Cameback to view this again.
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Seeing as how nice you are, I'm e-mailing you some carrot tops to nibble on.LOL
John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
I thought this to be a very good poem. Very descriptive and well thought out. It reads easily and I like poems that I can follow.
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"a six foot heap" is a seriously bunny-funny phrase. My rabbitty friends have been giggling about that for hours! Squeak squeak!¬
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now that was a good poem i'm book marking this. a truly wonderful write thanks for sharing
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amazing
Beautiful. Simply stated true story. Wonderful imagery. Sadly we too often judge people by their looks--not their deeds. Thank you for such an uplifting piece. Kudos! -
i like the quaint language this poem speaks in and the moral lesson it teaches (don't judge a book by it's cover or something similar)
this has a truly admirable rhyme to it to
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Dear Sinfiend,
First, thank you for reading and commenting on my poem this evening.
Secondly, yes, it was a factual event, or series of events,
that occurred one Summer afternoon when I was a boy in New York City. I'm so glad you thought that this was a pretty good poem as it was my first stab at a poem of more than four verses.(I have one now that is 26 verses)LOL
Again, Thanks and Regards..............John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Princess Peach,
You're not the first one to tell me about To Kill a Mockingbird. I assure you that I didn't borrow the theme from anyone. Someone else suggested it was quite like Of Mice and Men. Negative again! I would never knowingly do that.
Coolies!(What are coolies?)LOL
Thanks for taking a look see at this poem!
Best Regards...........................John -
Dear Grossmutti,
Thank you very much for considering to read this tonight.
It was an eventful, and true, couple of hours one Summer afternoon when I was a kid sitting around with nothing but time on my hands.
Glad you enjoyed the read.
Thanks and Regards................John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Dear Granny,
I was looking for a poem to post today and was really reticent about posting this one. To my way of thinking, it has been the "black sheep" of the poems I've written thus far. Reason being, that on average, it has only gotten a sort of luke-warm, or half-hearted reception in features.
Today, the people who clicked on it, yourself included, appeared to like it pretty well. I'm pleased with that, but no less confused.
Well, thanks for your input and I hope things are going well for you.
Thanks and Regards..................John -
Wow, this really is very uplifting. Touching, I think is the word I am looking for right now.
The high point of this write is the incredibly realistic and personal feel to it, I'm almost certain that this was an actual event in your life, and if not, you are a hell of a storyteller.
Very well written, good rhymes, flow, everything was great about this. Keep at it. -
coolies
It reminded me of that man from To Kill a Mockingbird -
Extremely Good
A pleasant nostalgic stroll. I truely enjoyed it. Yes, a person should judge for themselves instead of following the herd. I think you expressed that very well
My favorite line was "that stationary yet rounded course" we can learn a lot even if we are only going around in circles
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So much has already been said about this poem. It does flow lovely and the
rhythm and rhyme is so natural. Kind of tells a moral in a way too, that appearances and gossip can be wrong, and you should make your own judgements of a person based on facts. Thanks for your comments too. -
Hello D,
Appreciate your taking a look at my Calliope poem earlier today. glad you thought my rhyming was OK. I looked at that typo and really don't think there is one there, but then I'm kind of fond of this poem, as it has been the least well-received of the few that I have.
Appreciate the candor in your comments.
Regards........................John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Dear NWJ,
Thank you for taking time out to read my Calliope poem this morning.
What you said about your yearbook sounds familiar to me too, but I cannot connect to the author either.
Glad you liked the poem! Means a lot!
Regards..............................John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Dear MxR,
Thanks for taking time to read my Calliope poem this morning!
It was a true account of what happened one Summer afternoon.
I didn't think it very poignant at the time, but later.
Thanks again! Means a lot!
Regards............................John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
Dear Lady U,
Thanks for reading my Calliope this morning. It may need some fine tuning but I really appreciate your kind words on what I've got so far!
Regards.............................John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
There are some excellent lines in this poem, some of the phrases look little choppy too...but I can see a purpose for that, which gives the setting and perhaps narrator's background (or am I stretching too much??). I liked it, (is there a typo in S4 L1?)
D -
very good
there is a famous quote, but i can't recall the author, which I featured under my 1973 yearbook photo..."I am part of all whom I have met." this is certainly the case for your poem, the special man Nick and the special moments he brought to you. he is part of you, and you part of him. lovely poem and glad i was able to read it. -
Wow, this is very interesting, it teaches a great lesson. I must agree your rhyming was amazing. Great job, and keep it up.
~MxR
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first of all...perfect rhyme on this
it's a pleasure to come across one who can rhyme so well
the idea of the poem is a good lesson for all and you've put it very well.
you've much talent as this poem shows
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i enjoyed this very much .... loved the message of winning through risk and learning from memory, something remembered ... the rhyming was natural , flowing unobtrusively through the piece ... enjoyed it >>> EM
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Hi
I actually wasn't expecting to enjoy this piece (sorry, but it's true), but I did! A lot! Thank your lucky stars that you are someone who can rhyme in a natural way. So many people abuse rhyming to no end. You used it. Well. And you stuck to your rhythm for the most part, good job. A few lines that did seem a tad forced were:
"From trill to bass did that place resound"
and
"One horse whinnying, the other winning"
They just...didn't fit well with the rest of the poem. If you can try to reword them or just...I don't know, fix them somehow, you will be adding a great deal to the already apparent strength of the piece.
You seem to do well with memories and personal experiences. Remember that.
Keep writing
Edited on Jul 07, 2:51 because ''. -
this is a nice prosey write that is very discriptive it was a soft read that gives the reader a serenish feel
love and light
blaze -
Dear Brandon,
I'm glad you liked this poem. It was an actual memory for me and I thought I would put it into writing.
Thanks so much for taking a look at it and commenting on it as well.
John-Las Vegas -
Hey Friend:
Well I will have to say that I did like this one quite a bit. It kinda gives me an innocent child hood memory style flashback. Its good that you are outcoming with what you have to share in a poetic mannor.
Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing
Brandon -
Thanks TP 07,
This was more a memory than an idea as it actually happened this way. Some things just refuse to stay dormant, huh?
Glad you liked it though. Thanks for giving it a look see!
John-Las Vegas -
bravo
very good. this was cute and sweet. i liked reading it and i think your idea was creative. greajob with this and keep it up. always keep writing. -
MoK,
It's a merry-go-round or carousel silly rabbit!
Thanks for reading it! I'm going to fine tune it a bit in the next couple of days so it is easier to read.
Hope you are fine and all is well at home!
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Ok, so I'm an idiot, but what the heck is a calliope? I understand what's going on in this poem, but I have no clue what a calliope is!!??!
This poem reminded me of the relationship that takes place in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD between Scout and the neighbor.
Good job with this piece! -
mua hahaha...i have my ways, and ill never tell.....
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Excuse the uninvited intrusion, but I re-read some of the earlier comments on this poem and found that the halfhearted comments on the poem was between my ears. I did take another read of it and I can make it better sounding but I can't change the significance of the narrative. Thanks for reading it and for your shoulder!!!LOL
John -
Dear TPC,
I've been told I don't have any imagination.LOL No it is true!
Thanks for giving this a look see, though how you found it I'll never know!
I've really only gotten halfhearted comments on this poem. Maybe there ARE at least some things you shouldn't make into a poem. At least that's what I've been told.
I do thank you though TPC!
John-Las Vegas, Nevada -
completely not what id expected, but nonetheless a pleasant suprise.
true story or entirely from the realm of your own imagination? -
This was a joy to read. Your decorated, overthetop style of writing combines perfectly with the theme of the calliope. Bravo!
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this is a great piece, its verylovely, and i thik it teachs us all a lesson. its beautiful...and the picture just kinda sets the scene. great job i really liked it alot.
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