"Shadowland..."

Presented on World Poetry Open Mic, 06/19/2015

Begins 00:14:05 into the file for those that want to hear.

 

http://www.worldpoetryopenmic.net/uploads/5/1/8/3/5183702/wpom-2015-06-19.mp3

Remembering Baltimore or was it London ...Rotterdam... Istanbul... Kin... Tokyo... L.A. - New York... yesterday...tomorrow

"Shadowland..."

Do you know what it's like

to sit by the window - each night,

just to wait in the neoned dark

gazing out into the tenements,

streets criss-crossed with shadows

moving, swaying, drawing

all - as you listen and listen for  ...her...

her to start singing -

singing so softly into her echoing night

singing with a lil girl’s heart

and a woman's soul flowing through the words

the tones

the moments, all the dreams - silly nothing wishes.

Open fingers reaching toward the sky 

reaching for the unseeable stars -

and the sheer sound within the words of her knowing

KNOWING it ain’t gonna be -

can’t be,

won’t be

neverever ever …be

BUT …she still flies in the streetlights

and dances to neon rainbows

and holds me here

forever captive of her dreams.

 

Chris

 

Author's Note

feel free

Reviews

[Doreen]

I was drawn to this by the title. This piece is whimsical and carefree. It's also something that touches us all, or most of us, anyway. I love the lines about streetlights and rainbows - beautiful.

[Chris]

Hi Doreen, few people speak of rainbows and cities in the same breath... life tends to be whimsical - least the parts I've lived.

[Gabby Nieves]

beautiful words. like everything I attempt to say but way better. I felt free reading this, but so captivated

[Chris]

Gabby we each have our voice... what makes it special and unique is it's OUR voice. I heard YOU and understood in my own way and was the better for it.

[J. K. Hannah]

listening passed a shadow through me.... for 5 minutes, I felt the grey, the streetlamps, the wish for a voice or a song where there is none.

[Chris]

ya been there too... glad you paused.

[Einstein Noodle]

https://youtu.be/X1AjAAyh6gw on a positive note :)

i see her ... and i hear her in your poem .. and sad heaviness comes with it eh!? ... i went searching for another connection in your title .. (sometimes i think way too much:} ... but giving up and reading once again ... its like our weather last week .. oppressively hot .. unnaturally wet and sends tears and chills at one in the same ...
have to say you moved me sir ... so for me ... well done!
E.

[Chris]

Thank you E... means a lot.

[Cherrie Palmer]

what a gripping title that yells read me and I am very pleased I did. Great work and I loved the way you worked the ending.

[Chris]

Hi Cherrie... now you've went and given me a higher bar to reach for... glad you came by and paused and it WAS nice of you to give your thoughts... you're always welcome.

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Chris,
I am Richard, a fan of J.J. Nightingale's, who recommended your poems, and how pleased I am she did.

The moment and imagery of this work seems to move through me in misty, almost ethereal, ways.
I imagine myself sitting in a musty old hotel, let's say in the Bronx, gazing out onto the street scene below in the dead of night, no traffic, only the occasional stroller crossing under the corner streetlights, and in the quiet stillness a hauntingly beautiful voice of a young woman dancing there below in the flashing neon glows of the hotel, a bar, an all night grocery … adoringly holding her close in deepest affection.

I hope you're not snickering too profusely, but I never was very good at interpretation, and your words stole me away … it was such a wondrous place to be.

Thank you, Chris, for the privilege of sharing your fine mastery! ⁓ Richard

[Chris]

Jazz is precious and real... and her recommendation is a praise few are offered. I remember the Baltimore Block firsthand - a lesson in history. Burlesque was foremost a life's style and the trappings were ...grandiose and well-marked. Cityscapes carry a taste and living through them leaves after-images. I walked the real Casbah - nightmares do live in reality. I tried to NOT be a tourist and still bear the reality of all the footsteps taken and the curbs paused upon. Welcome to my view Richard... I hope you pause often and thought-fully.

[Richard🖌]

The true source of visions has made this piece even more interesting than before when reread with the most wondrous understanding you've generously extended.
I plan to make new visits to your pages a frequent endeavor, Chris … thank you sincerely for sharing! ~ RJ

[Chris]

It's what we as poets do... pause and reflect, listen... speak our minds...touch without touching.

[J. J. Nightingale]

:).................................................♥

[Kenneth The Poet]

This reminds me of a city with an active night life and how somebody can feel lost in it, like they are not supposed to be there. This is a vignette of a multitude of events happening at once. You capture your experiences quite well, Chris.

[Chris]

It's what we do Ken and how we are.

[wordman]

well i loved the way it danced across the paper chrisenjoyed the poem

[Chris]

wordman - your pauses are ALWAYS appreciated here.

[wordman]

thank you was just over at poetfreak reading a poem for a better word asking chris v if he stole a poem lol

[Chris]

ouch...was quite the turmoil he orchestrated... here

[wordman]

oh yeah,i was here then,got rid of him,now we are rid of tk little

[wordman]

i was on open mike twice so far,probally my last lol and we`re not rid of tk little he`s back as gabriel the arcangel

[Neville]

'Shadowland' just sent shivers running the entire length of my spine, not just once but several times I might add.

For what its worth, I personally tend to mark time in terms of what happens between one destination and the next.

Furthermore, 'Shadowland' despite much of its beauty is also both ragged and real and left me feeling a little sad. Just my cup of tea though. Now I'm gonna have to read some more....N

[Chris]

pause as you want... you're always welcome Nev.

[Donald Meikle]

What you had I still have. and treasure every moment. City life is people ignoring each other to give them space. I came here (to country) and everyone said hello, and meant it.
Reality we share Chris