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Open Poetry #32
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jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas

0 posted 2004-04-16 10:55 PM



When Hollow Sticks Sing


Watching dragonflies swinging
on the end of long grass stems
blowing in the wind
I seem to hear the long, mournful notes
of a long gone, wooden flute.
Closing my eyes I see a boy –
nude but for a cloth at his hips,
thong circling his head –
sitting on a rock,
flute to his lips,
and I wish I was he.

I wish I could blow into a hollow stick
and tell the world what I saw,
what I felt inside,
what I wanted to be,
who I am.

Watching dragonflies swinging
on the end of long grass stems
blowing in the wind,
eyes closed,
head swaying in unison
to the notes of a long gone,
wooden flute,
for a time I am he,
in reverie.

w. james beard, jr.
(c) april 2004


...was listening to R. Carlos Nakai's "Dreamer's Chant" and  - well, fell into "reverie"

© Copyright 2004 Wesley James Beard, Jr. - All Rights Reserved
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
1 posted 2004-04-16 11:03 PM


jwesley, this I adored!  And, I understand the feeling.  All my childhood I lived near ancient Indian mounds in Ohio.  In three of four seasons, I found myself in similar situations, communing with nature, pretending to be one of them, and sometimes, I think maybe I was, too!  See, I really, really liked your poem!  
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
2 posted 2004-04-16 11:25 PM


loved the ending lines there

incredible write!

muted
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2004-01-15
Posts 2949
Elapsing, Eclipsing, Evolving
3 posted 2004-04-16 11:50 PM


your "hollow stick" is full of ink, and it sings to the page...this is an enchanting write
Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
4 posted 2004-04-17 12:22 PM


Very, very nice.  I can almost hear the music.

Susan

garysgirl
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Laureate
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237
Florida, USA
5 posted 2004-04-17 05:48 PM


I wish I could blow into a hollow stick
and tell the world what I saw,
what I felt inside,
what I wanted to be,
who I am.


James, some folks can make musical
instruments talk, can't they? Memories
of a couple of my friends who played music
for our quartet when we used to sing
came to my mind.
Hugs,
Ethel

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
6 posted 2004-04-17 06:00 PM


Jimmy

Dragonflies are special messengers...I'm not surprised that one brought you this special reverie.

Grover
Senior Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 1967
London, ON, Canada
7 posted 2004-04-17 07:08 PM


This is an excellent write!  
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

8 posted 2004-04-17 07:27 PM


"nude but for a cloth at his hips,
thong circling his head –
sitting on a rock,
flute to his lips,
and I wish I was he."

me too, j., me too

that's an intiguing visual m'friend.



a lovely reverie you write...

jwesley
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563
Spring, Texas
9 posted 2004-04-17 11:48 PM


I really miss the simpler life - even if only of the 50's and I've always dreamed of sitting on a rock playing an instrument, making beautiful noise . . . but alas, the only music I can make is with the radio or it's like...

Thanks much, always, for all your wonderful comments, and the time you take to read my stuff.

walk easy...

jimmy

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
10 posted 2004-04-18 12:21 PM


James, we need a new photo
of you,
and that 'baby'

~*~

I seem to hear the long, mournful notes
of a long gone, wooden flute.

~*~

Yes, indeed...
the reverie is clear...

thank God.

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