© Steve King
All Rights reserved
These mornings the old men,
staring through the fog of coffee steam,
sing of spirits visiting their dreams,
and of a distant year,
of tears that will not balm
things that were simply meant to be.
And ritual tales of fair desire
to claim the place of memory;
laughter to deny that certain moment;
myriad reasons safely hid,
meanings that are cloaked amid
the fog of these mornings.
A new poem for The Poetry Pantry
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com
A new poem for The Poetry Pantry
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com
hmm...interesting ..are things really just meant to be..I do believe spirits visit us in dreams, I think the question is how does the dream speak to you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of resigned wisdom packed into these lines, Steve. Memories do become tales, and thus more and less than what they may actually have been, and the tears are perhaps only worthwhile for clearing the dust motes from the eye...good to read you, my friend. (The poem below this is superb, as well--great economy in the phrasing, yet without sacrificing coherence or impact of the whole.)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting and poignant piece. Love how you've used 'fog' at the start and the end.
ReplyDeleteYou set the scene beautifully in the opening stanza. The ritual tales of old men speaks to an archetype of story-teller.
ReplyDeleteExcellent write :D
ReplyDeleteOld men's tales should always be listened to & passed down to the next generation. I often see such an early morning group at Panera....sharing stories.
ReplyDeleteYes, too many tales are lost forever because no one listens.
DeleteAt the Dead Man’s House
The scene with the old men and the coffee steam is such a strong one, I can see it, and those stories told, those memories, that's the place where myths are built.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the groups of old men sitting in coffee shops telling their stories....I would love to eavesdrop on those stories.
ReplyDeleteA haunting picture!
ReplyDelete"laughter to deny that certain moment;
ReplyDeletemyriad reasons safely hid,
meanings that are cloaked..".....tragic and in tune with the fog outside....
I feel there is a comfort in those mornings...experience shared and exchanged
ReplyDeleteWonderful-- the old men kvetch much less than me. K.
ReplyDeleteYou kvetch???? Can't believe it....
Delete