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Balladeer
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 1999-08-24 11:24 PM


I stood there on the quiet street,
My brand new house in front of me.
It would be everything I'd need,
The architect said happily.

I seemed to notice evidence
As minutes drifted slowly by
That there were things that made no sense;
Some features seemed to be awry.

I know that I'm no builder, but
In my mind it does surely seem
That, for a house to stand for long,
It needs to have some well-placed beams.

I asked to see the blueprints but
The architect had none to show.
He said emotion was his guide
And did construction with a "flow".

I then asked for him to explain
Its structural integrity.
He smiled a smile of merriment
And did his best to humor me.

He explained to me in quiet voice
That one reserves to humor fools
That, when emotions lead the way,
There is no need to follow rules.

The heart, he said, must be the guide.
One's passions as the guiding force.
Emotions serving as the base,
Imagination as the source.

As I peeked inside, I could see
The living room was barely there,
Some walls were no more than half done,
The spiral staircase led nowhere.

The tiles had only been half-laid;
The porcelain sinks already chipped,
Door handles wouldn't turn at all,
The shower had a leak that dripped.

I hung my head and walked away.
I didn't even turn around
When, with the next breath of fresh air,
My brand new house came tumbling down.

So now, with my dreams fallen down
And with my home completely wrecked
I vow to never hire again
A poet for an architect.

© Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
redwriter1
Member
since 1999-07-22
Posts 480
Franklin, TN
1 posted 1999-08-24 11:55 PM


I have lots and lots of houses like that!
Some have only basements, some only have attics, but they all have a front porch with a view.

------------------
Kay-lynn
**A dream is a wish your heart makes :)


Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
2 posted 1999-08-25 12:12 PM


A point well taken. Enjoyed the read.
Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
3 posted 1999-08-25 01:26 AM


You know, I'm a drafter, and working for an architect, I see some similarities to this and work!
WD! Bal!

------------------
Everyone has a photographic memory...
...most of us just don't have film!

Toerag
Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622
Ala bam a
4 posted 1999-08-25 07:39 AM


Hey pal?...Why don't ya let me and LongJohn build one for ya?...Just think of the possibilities?....Hell, it may not make Southern Living magazine, but it may be profiled on Riply's Believe It or Not?
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 1999-08-25 07:46 AM


Great poem! But you might want to pass on Toe's offer... can you imagine the "possibilities" they could come up with for your living... ahem.. pleasures? LOL.

Seriously, 'Deer... I saw this one coming... as I proceeded through every verse, I thought... that's my poetry!!! LOL. Half-baked, a thought here, another there... with the most tenous of connections.

Blondie
Member
since 1999-08-06
Posts 307
Ohio
6 posted 1999-08-25 08:40 AM


Very creative and enjoyable to read. Love the last verse
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
7 posted 1999-08-25 09:53 AM


Great point!
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 1999-08-25 10:26 AM


Balladeer....I think that might be a good idea...but I think that must have been the same architect that built the Winchester Mystery House, and people pay big bucks to go see that
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
9 posted 1999-08-25 10:31 AM


In my poetry that's all a tumble
I give my opinion here most humble
Tis better to live in a house with heart
than in a house built architect smart

Walls may be straight, doors open wide
but what of the heart that dwells inside
built with love any house can be
the perfect setting for my poetry!

I enjoyed your poem, Balladeer! Another good one!

Poetwheel
Member
since 1999-07-07
Posts 208
Canada
10 posted 1999-08-25 11:49 AM


Sounds like recalling a memory...building a house?


PW

------------------
Poetic Wheelbarrow
http://www.stormloader.com/poetwheel/den.html
ICQ: 44370408


Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
11 posted 1999-08-25 11:53 AM


DeVine one, any little joint
Can serve you well. That's not the point.
Why settle for only one when you,
With little effort, can have the two?

Your poem can be constructed well
And still convey the thoughts you tell.
Please always write straight from the heart
Just plan it out before you start.

A structured house that has no soul
Should not be any poet's goal
But one with no base, only heart
Will, within minutes, fall apart.

Combine the two things, if you can
Write from the heart but with a plan
And you may be amazed to see
How good a poet you can be.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
12 posted 1999-08-25 11:54 AM


For a poet to build a house for me
he'd have to look into my heart and see
that there's no room for any neglect
but plenty of rooms for loving, by heck!

------------------
Sunshine
Words will always express our feelings true. ~~~ KRJ
Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
13 posted 1999-08-27 02:07 PM


..well, I'd like a house for each season... one in the mountains for the fall foliage ..and one by the ocean in the spring, and one by the ocean in the summer, and one by the ocean in the winter...someplace warm please???
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