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:
Oh my, how beautiful!
Sad and lovely! vivid images!
Yes, incredibly visual and oh, so sad...
Lovely and haunting. I especially like the line "Dreams like that escape like noonday ghosts".
I'm not the best judge of poetry but this is beautifully written.
this is so wonderful... it puts me in mind of a country song called "almost home"
what an undying sentiment...
How beautiful and poignant.
now that...is really sad...poor guy...the images were beautiful yet haunting...i think i've seen someone on that very same street..
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. :)
This is, indeed, a lovely and provocative post...beautiful, beautiful.
love your header granny smith.
And this poem is wonderful.
I like this narrative poem! Great photo too!
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
Beautiful and extremely vivid.
This pains me. It is so hauntingly beautiful.
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
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!
That was a beautiful poem.
the dreams that fade grow in new directions.
wonderfully sensual post!
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!
wow. deep. you gotta publish your poetry girl!!!
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.
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