»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #38
»
Alphoxden Manor
| Open Poetry #38 |
|
Alphoxden Manor |
|
|
Jack Straw Member
since 2006-03-02
Posts 70 |
Entering the local bar of Nether Stowey Wondering where my Father could be It was a half hour past The time I was meeting him An old beggar caught my eye As he was finishing his brandy He got up with a belch Leaning heavily on his cane His face told a story in itself His eyes held the climax Leaving me speechless Although my thoughts raced “Little one, have you lost your way?” He spoke in an otherworldly whisper “No sir, I’m waiting for my father.” I struggled to confidently say. “Fair enough, good day to you.” Bidding me farewell Wrapping his coat around himself Preparing for winter’s bitter cold Just as he was leaving I could not resist the urge To call out “Where are you going?” Something about his manner intrigued me I wanted to learn Calmly turning around He had a grin about his face Waiting for me to ask something About the world, in which he adores. I started with “What is your name?” “Call me what you will except a liar” Puzzled, I tried again “Where do you come from, old man?” “Just over the brook, across the bridge inside the forest you may see me sit. In quiet seclusion you’ll see me roam I hail from nowhere and everywhere” “Right….” I said and continued on thinking our exchange over and done until I heard “Why, little one? What place do you call home?” “London, I’m with my father, He should be here with my aunt She lives in this county of Somerset” Again I tried “You do too?” “I live only in my body little one, I hope by the time you grow to be my age You’ll have learned the same, But to digress, What do you think of London’s great mess?” “Why, I love London, mysterious one I love all the streets and shops among The businessmen making a living” What’s not to like about a city so grand I thought Seeming to have read my thoughts he replied, “How about the smoke rising into the sky, Including that of factories and cars How about the men who work tirelessly For things they care not of And for companies who care not for them. You’ll see in time little one.” Just then my father burst in Smelling of liquor and cheap women Saying “John! Get away from him! You don’t know who he is!” My newfound friend looked kind of sad But not quite disappointed He simply tipped his hat And bid us farewell “Good day to you and your son, kind sir” I sent him a message without words One through my eyes, that I understood He simply smiled in recognition Outside the bar my father said “Let’s go, auntie’s waiting It’s beginning to snow.” The last I saw of that profound vagrant He was walking across the bridge To his home in the forest Shaking my head, wondering his story I took my father’s hand and drifted off Feeling quite mystical for the remainder of the evening Twenty years later I, now in my 30s And locked in an office My work consumes me Feeling simply morose Day in and day out Doing nothing for pleasure Only for wealth, When one lucky day On my stoop a package showed Addressed to me From someone unknown Opening it up I was taken aback Scratching my head Starting to laugh “Well I’ll be damned..” I said aloud My cat alone heard Along with my work It seems I was included In some wanderer’s will And given a house Deep in forgotten hills Along with a key There was a message attached Starting off “John, no need to write back… For I have died but not forgotten you, Tired of London yet? I surely was too. Roam forevermore in the countryside Head past that creek In Somerset to find Simple content among the trees Idleness not found in the great city That last look you gave me, Though you may not have realized Held an envy so deep, for my free life Like William before me And I before you Go to my home To find your own muse find a peace so deep and a love so true Alphoxden Manor I give to you.” |
||
| © Copyright 2006 Jack Straw - All Rights Reserved | |||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
oh man, am I keeping this tucked away in my own private forest of favorites PS smiling, knowing it was Alfoxden...where William Wordsworth and sister Dorothy lived. |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
You are a wonderful storyteller!!! THIS is a keeper for my library. I'm still sitting here shaking my head in awe. Well done Sir..very well done indeed. Hugs~Nancy *Note to Kacy* Right! It was Alfoxden Manor. ~ Trace my body with your words, in doing so, you touch my heart ~ |
||
|
Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
Though my attention span is short these days, this captured me and I had to read all the way through. Well written - I enjoyed it very much You can never win or lose |
||
|
Jack Straw Member
since 2006-03-02
Posts 70 |
thanks for the comments midnite, Enchantress, and tracey, I appreciate them. But I'm not through with this one... it needs to be deeper, more profound, and written in a metrical form. thanks for the replies though, I value your insights =) |
||
|
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Then I'll hold off on any additional kudos 'till its done  I'm looking forward to the more finely tuned version. |
||
|
OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Captivating! It opened up a treasure chest of misted memories for me. - Owl |
||
|
Jack Straw Member
since 2006-03-02
Posts 70 |
it may be awhile midnitesun... I just PMed a fellow poet on another website with the poem asking for his harshest critique.. it'll be a couple days before he replies and then I'm going to wait on a couple more comments on another site then when I feel the spark again I'll rewrite it, perhaps incorporating a more structured rhythm/meter owl thanks for your comment, I'm glad it worked for you. happy thursday all [This message has been edited by Jack Straw (05-25-2006 07:07 PM).] |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
