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Open Poetry #47
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JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-04-11 08:23 PM


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sightless eyes
staring at what his mind thinks of
at this particular time
he thinks of the notes
he can see them as he strums
something melancholy
mesmerizing and comforting
still, like a naughty child
every so often
he breaks out with a hard rock riff
just for the hell of it
to shock the standers and lookers
smiles the smile
of the blind
much too wide and showing too much teeth
overcompensating
Ray Charles comes to mind
to him though
being sightless is a comfort
he's happy with it
that's all he has ever known
his music is his world
when people bring up his blindness
he shakes his head
gives 'em that Ray Charles smile
and answers with a strum of the Gibson
Fifth and Pine
he is there every day
playing for himself
music takes him anywhere he wants to go
that people drop money
in the guitar case
is not the reason he comes every day
rain or shine, cold or hot
to Fifth and Pine
no
it is because he feels he owns
the corner
been coming for so long
eight years old
to now is a long time
he's seen much
yes, he sees
better than us most days
even when the punks come to rob
he always tells them
give some of it to the poor

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

© Copyright 2011 Jerry Pat Bolton - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2011-04-11 08:31 PM


The title drew me in;
my next thought was "Neil"

and then my heart opened,
to all of them who never were
except for those in loving
neighborhoods...

and then this one became
my brother.



Thank you!

FYI....have I shown you the Dobro?


JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2011-04-11 08:37 PM


Thank you, Sunshine, and no you have not showed me the Dobro.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

faithmairee
Senior Member
since 2011-01-05
Posts 1441
Poe Haven, USA
3 posted 2011-04-11 08:54 PM


beautifully written, JerryPat...a compassionate and skillfully penned poem

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2011-04-11 08:59 PM


Hello Faith, and thank you very much.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

dreamgal
Member
since 2011-03-17
Posts 442

5 posted 2011-04-11 09:33 PM


I loved it, truly, the picture the poetry
all of it. One of your best for sure.

Dreamgal

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
6 posted 2011-04-11 09:41 PM


That was nice of you to say, Dreamgal, thank you very much.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
7 posted 2011-04-12 03:30 AM


yes, he sees
better than us most days


This beautiful, compassionate and realistic poem tugs at my heartstrings, dear Jerry, for it is extremely well done. And the picture is very appropriate. A man who clings to the music, not only that of his guitar, but to his inner tunes.

Love,
Margherita



JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
8 posted 2011-04-12 07:26 AM


Thank you for your lovely response to "Guitar Man," Margherita.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
9 posted 2011-04-12 08:15 AM


This is a favorite of mine too Jerry. You seem to have captured the seeing heart of the blind man brilliantly.
Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
10 posted 2011-04-12 08:29 AM


Good morning, Lori. Good to see you this a.m., and thank you for your nice comments and for being here.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631
West Coast
11 posted 2011-04-12 08:35 AM


JP...it often amazes me, the blind folks keep their eyes open when they play and the sighted folks close there eyes when they strum...there must be a message there.

Enjoyed the ink guy!

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
12 posted 2011-04-12 09:06 AM


Come to thing about it, I do believe you are correct, DS. Who knows, something cosmic maybe. Thanks for stopping by.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
13 posted 2011-04-15 04:04 PM


I enjoyed the poem very much - a beautiful illustration of the painting (or vice versa! Smiles).  I find fascinating what Dark Stranger said and you discussed with him about blind people opening their eyes and sighted people closing theirs as they play.  Quite a point to ponder on . . .

Owl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
14 posted 2011-04-15 04:08 PM


Hello Owl, thanks for checking out this poem and for the comments. Hope you are well.

~ At the siege of Vienna in 1683 Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. We are in a new phase of a very old war. ~

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