Thursday, December 27, 2007

DREAMWHERE Sunday Scribblings prompt: Now and Then

photo by my nephew,
Allen Sterling III

You walked all night to beat the cold
so now you drowse on a sunlit bit of sidewalk
legs sprawled, head lolling on your knapsack
backed against a facade of patterned tile
from Mexico.

Your eyesballs move behind your eyelids
but your face is slack and inward turning.
Surely your dream is not here on the avenue,
hassled by corporate cops, muttered at
by passers-by who must detour around you
as they scan store windows for a way
to spend their money.

Where do you dream?

Do you toss a football to the brother lost in 'Nam'
Weave a mysterious plot that's fraught
with dream significance?
Walk a shaded path you know but can't say where?

Will you remember when you're wakened
by the grip on your shoulder
and the order to move on?

No. Dreams like that escape like noonday ghosts

You stumble to your feet,
grit grinding where your elbows met the sidewalk,
limbs still leaden with fatigue
mind struggling to retain the dream
where lost loves linger—
even your own lost self.
Phyllis Sterling Smith

22 comments:

Chris said...

Oh my, how beautiful!

Linda Jacobs said...

Sad and lovely! vivid images!

Marianne said...

Yes, incredibly visual and oh, so sad...

Maree Jones said...

Lovely and haunting. I especially like the line "Dreams like that escape like noonday ghosts".

Betty Carlson said...

I'm not the best judge of poetry but this is beautifully written.

paisley said...

this is so wonderful... it puts me in mind of a country song called "almost home"

what an undying sentiment...

Robin said...

How beautiful and poignant.

little wing writer said...

now that...is really sad...poor guy...the images were beautiful yet haunting...i think i've seen someone on that very same street..

Lucy said...

wow Granny! This was so vivid. It made me think... could this be a son of yours whom when you wonder what he is up to, you've imagined him in this scenario? I know it's silly to share this thought that popped into my mind... but as one Mom to another.... That's where your imagery brought me. Beautiful poem. :)

Tumblewords: said...

This is, indeed, a lovely and provocative post...beautiful, beautiful.

Liza on Maui said...

love your header granny smith.

And this poem is wonderful.

gautami tripathy said...

I like this narrative poem! Great photo too!

Marcella Paliekara said...

I am a daily painter, and I have been working on a piece for a few days now. I hope to post it tomorrow. Today I went to Sunday Scribblings and saw the prompt “Now and Then”, and then I read your poem. This line in your poem really popped out and caught me. "No. Dreams like that escape like noonday ghosts". My painting is of a woman trying to hold on to a memory. Is this synchronicity?

Marcella

deathsweep said...

Beautiful and extremely vivid.

Patois42 said...

This pains me. It is so hauntingly beautiful.

Jodi Peary said...

This is lovely; one can see through the vellum layers of years and dreams through your words...I also love your banner and the assertion about real friends. Thank you for sharing your Christmas happennings as well. I am going to add your wonderful blog to my blog champagne list.
jodi barone
www.wildvines.blogspot.com

fmtv2 said...

Wow! Who hasn't seen this person and yet not seen them.
Your post restores some visibility to people we manage to "not see", thank you!

Forgetfulone said...

That was a beautiful poem.

Jennifer Hicks said...

the dreams that fade grow in new directions.
wonderfully sensual post!

nonizamboni said...

Lovely poem, Phyllis--alliteration done right! I always enjoy getting a glimpse of your social conscience too. What an inspiration.
Love your new header.
Happy, happy new year!

Kristi Tencarre said...

wow. deep. you gotta publish your poetry girl!!!

Megan Shea Deroche said...

This is a really well done piece. It shows that you either took the time to pick perfect words with careful precision, or you've got an outstanding natural rhythym.