Lou Reed--Skinny, City, Poet

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ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

0 posted 2011-09-13 08:11 AM

"I'm no urban idiot savant
spewing paint without any order
I'm no sphinx, no mystery enigma
what I paint is very ordinary"
(Lou Reed.....from "images")
*
*
Dealers start their evening shifts,
On streets, made clean by fallen snow;
Closeby, at home in cardboard dorms
(Villaged over sidewalk grates)
Homeless people bathe in rising steam.

Dressed for sex whores,
With come hither looks
Flirt with car-curbed johns
Negotiating prices, and terms
Of different situations found in "dates".

A young, and earthbound-
Coming down (from back to back)
Scratches his face-staggers
Through evening newsmakers
Who step aside like birds
To let him go by;
Like a mother pushing a stroller
Through pigeons in a park.

Nearby,
Leaning
Against a liquor-store cage
In blinking-johnny walker light;
A skinny, city-poet takes down notes...

( I love the grit ,and honesty in Lou Reeds songs, and the poetry that is in all of them.)

[This message has been edited by ice (09-14-2011 05:53 AM).]

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

1 posted 2011-09-13 08:43 AM

And you are, like he, art
reflecting life.

Excellent imagery, Ford.

I think I will always be amazed
to know just how sheltered
I really am...

and knowing that it's just all
around the corner in this
ever-shrinking world...

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-09-13 09:15 AM

I've lived on those mean streets far longer that was healthy, but we do what we do. Your tribute to Lou Reed and his grit-and-dare-it kind of world is perfect. You painted the noir world of street life perfectly, Ice.

~~ "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent. It is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." --George Washington ~~

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

3 posted 2011-09-13 07:19 PM

Dear Ford, I just googled some information about this artist. I had heard his name, but I am not familiar with his music.

You rendered this street reality powerfully. And this scenery could be located in many big towns around the world, sadly!

You have done a great job!

Love,
Margherita

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

4 posted 2011-09-14 02:00 AM

Ford, I don't know the poet/singer/songwriter, Lou Reed, but I know Ice, and I think that Ice is an excellent people's poet sometimes, an excellent intellectual poet at other times, and an excellent all-sorts-of-other poet at other times, but always, always excellent, no matter the kind of poetry he writes. If/when I can steal the time, I will also google Lou Reed. Thank you for this exquisite gem of people's poetry.

Owl

Dr.Moose1
Member Elite

since 1999-09-05

Posts 3448
Bewilderment , USA

5 posted 2011-09-14 07:36 AM

Ice,
You had me hummin' "Sweet Jane" with this one, thanks for the images too.
Doc

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean

since 2000-02-02

Posts 27738

6 posted 2011-09-14 04:49 PM

I adore this one. The anonymity of people watching and a bit of a celebratory aftertaste that rather reminds me of Whitman's chest-thumping declaration of "give me the streets of Manhattan!"

Par excellence, dear friend.

Makes me want to RAWR...

ice
Member Elite

since 2003-05-17

Posts 3404
Pennsylvania

7 posted 2011-09-15 07:01 AM

Finally got back to see how you all liked this poem.

Came back to see that you did, and to find These wonderful replies.

Loved all of them, but must rush off again.

Which makes me sad that I cannot reply to each reply.:-(

Thank you all---winter is coming, then I can do a better job at Thank You's.

JL
Member Ascendant

since 2004-04-01

Posts 6128
Texas, USA

8 posted 2011-09-15 09:38 AM

A young, and earthbound-
Coming down (from back to back)
Scratches his face-staggers
"Through evening newsmakers
Who step aside like birds
To let him go by;
Like a mother pushing a stroller
Through pigeons in a park.

Nearby,
Leaning
Against a liquor-store cage
In blinking-johnny walker light;
A skinny, city-poet takes down notes..."

This has grit, for sure.
Enjoyed the read.

JL

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Maranatha!

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

9 posted 2011-09-15 01:18 PM

Ford...To see past the glitter into the neglect, and still find the heart, a poet does this part. Thank you.

flash
Member

since 2010-11-28

Posts 213
miami beach, florida

10 posted 2011-09-15 01:51 PM

A slice-of-life from the other side of the tracks that we sometimes try to seep under the carpet. But poet's expose all-the god the bad the city sprawl and urban blight.

Well captured!

Al

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