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Open Poetry #50
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jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2018-01-29 10:30 PM


Transmogrify

Very respectfully,
I buttoned
the top button
of my old dress shirt
the baby blue one,
washed so often
it is now, really,
just a hint of blue.
I did the thing you do
to ties,
the paisley one,
hanging around my neck, and
it actually became presentable.

I brushed back
the medium-length hair
on my temple,
the left side first,
and then the right
as it was more temperamental,
was always obstinate,
never wanting to lay
like the left.

The top of my head
I left alone –
it was bald, after all.

The mirror showed two,
deep-set blue eyes
that always seemed to elicit
one comment or another,
depending upon circumstances;
a beard from ear to ear,
following my jaw-line,
going half-way up both cheeks,
two inches down the neck
and very grey,
as is my hair now.

Age doesn’t so much show,
as does wear,
permanent laugh lines,
and a pensive sadness
missing all
that has come and gone.

I look at that old man staring back
from the mirror
and try to match him
with the exuberance
and vitality of the memories
flashing behind my eyes.
I try to understand who he is;
from where he came
and how he kidnapped my face . . .
but I’m interrupted by gleeful laughter
filling the space between my ears.

I see . . . You!

Heat flushes my skin.
My heart throbs with abandon;
the old man in the mirror transmogrifies,
and there I am,
a young, thirty-something,
calling over my shoulder
as I assign perfection
to the knot in my tie . . .

I’m coming, honey.


I’m coming.


© wesley james beard, jr.
January 2018

© Copyright 2018 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved
Bluesy Socrateaser
Member Elite
since 2002-11-07
Posts 2417
In The Mirror
1 posted 2018-01-30 12:55 PM


Something everyone does, but many without the articulation, my friend.

BTS

...just bein' Bluesy

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
2 posted 2018-01-30 10:12 AM


"articulation" Lori said, and you, my friend, have it in spades.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Bluesy Socrateaser
Member Elite
since 2002-11-07
Posts 2417
In The Mirror
3 posted 2018-01-30 11:58 AM


Ha-ha-ha! Jerry thinks I look like Lori Rhoden! Now that's "articulation" for ya! Ha-ha-ha!

Tell me, Mr. Bolton...is it my long hair or my cute smile that got the final vote? :V

...just bein' Bluesy

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2018-01-30 12:06 PM


Heh.Heh Neither one got my vote, my friend, it is your basic sincerity I've read in your poems lo these many years. THAT always gets my "final vote."

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
5 posted 2018-01-31 05:26 AM


Jimmy,
Jimmy I really enjoyed this poem! But I must confess I kept expecting a funeral or something heart wrenching at the end. I loved this 'slice of life' as our friend would say.
~L

Poet In Pink
Senior Member
Posts 1066
MI
6 posted 2018-01-31 02:28 PM


You know what they say Jimmy...Your only as old as you feel This is a great write! Much enjoyed ~ Alana
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
7 posted 2018-02-03 12:08 PM


Great write as always, Jimmy.


Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
8 posted 2018-02-03 12:09 PM


Great write as always, Jimmy.


insect
Senior Member
since 2000-04-22
Posts 1014

9 posted 2018-02-10 07:04 PM


I hope your honey is taking you dancing now that your in your "thirty-something" again!
...thanks for transporting me back to a wonderful time in my life...

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
10 posted 2018-02-13 08:09 AM


Man! I just love this, as I have been there.
Like Lori mentioned, all of us have one way or another.
However you captured it very well!

Eric

true love never looks after it's own interests

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