Tar Baby

image per shutterstock.com

Tar Baby

Sadness came slowly like

the turning of leaves in Fall breezes

the colors

impregnable with the mind

only hearts

discern                   

red bursts     -       the 

yellow ripe lemons,

ethereal rusts,

pinion green cones

bleeding red oak and dogwood Easter blossoms

cut and split for fuel

we can know love

I went after it once 

down new avenues    -     lain

in hot macadam

I looked away 

I'm not sure what you did

as I watched

black asphalt poured over

old bones and memories

04/05/22

E.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Sadness came slowly like
the turning of leaves in Fall breezes
the colors
impregnable with the mind
only hearts
discern “
Exquisite E., and so moving. Flow, words ‘al punto’, Imagery, colors, pathos, simile - all perfect. I could not help but follow this spiritual journey from alpha to inevitable omega. All of the colred bursts of love are what define and elevate us. Kudos my supremely sensitive friend…

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for such a sensitive reading and encouraging review ... makes me look to keep writing ... big thank you ma'am!
as always,
E.

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

This poem is a beautiful and poignant meditation on the nature of sadness and the ways in which it can color our perceptions of the world around us. The use of vivid sensory details, such as the "red bursts" and "yellow ripe lemons," creates a sense of emotional richness and depth that draws the reader into the speaker's experience.

The lines "only hearts / discern" are particularly powerful, highlighting the ways in which our emotions can shape our perceptions of reality. The poem also touches on the themes of loss and memory, as evidenced by the lines "cut and split for fuel" and "old bones and memories."

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with sadness and loss, and the ways in which these experiences can shape our perceptions of the world around us.

[Einstein Noodle]

you are very kind my new found friend! thank you once again for a sensitive and thorough examination of my poem ... so happy you found it relatable for you .. peace love and flower power!
E.

[Pete]

the hot pursuit of love along with its aftertaste. this is so good, speechless. extremely emotive. the imagery conjured by your impressive wording is hypnotic ... :)

[Einstein Noodle]

i am supper gratified this had such an affect on you sir .. super glad ... can't thank you enough for your encouragement and generosity .. love and peace Sir Pete .. love and peace ... right here at the Cafe' ;)
E.

[Miss Sharon]

Imagery AND content perfect? YES! Love your way with words. ~Sharon

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for reviewing Ms. Sharon! i feel honored that you do ... you are encouraging and kind .. glad you found something in this one to touch you in some way. Merry Christmas always
E.

[Lorry]

Well, I was going to start by saying hello and welcome to my Sir Noodle of einstonia's random pick a poem review, but the wind has been taken out my sails by finding one I haven't reviewed, on the FIRST page!!!
Anyway, where was I?...
This is the second fall poem I have read today and despite the foreboding thoughts that winter is coming, seems to be my favoured season for its vividness of colour and earthy smell.
Despite its essences of sadness and perhaps regret, it comes alive with the senses being poked and prodded hither and there, to the then and back, like springs opposite. And we can't have spring without fall, can we?
Hope you are well and "Woof" to Sir waggly 😊

[Einstein Noodle]

i just realized that i did start the poem in Fall colors etc. but i wrote it in April :))) i love the fall as well ... the forest comes alive with it's "going to sleep" .. the smells are heady ... Spring is fine too says i ... Fall gets crisp and clean .. Spring breezes bring the smell of rain and worms washed out on the sidewalk ... just as heady i think .. thanks for finding this one, Lorry ... on page one :)))))))) love and peace brother
E.

[W. Barrett Munn]

The long and winding road is being poured over memories, it seems. As soon as the corner is laid, I'll turn it.
Winston

[Einstein Noodle]

might just as well eh Winston? .. we go with the flow .. at our age .. so many memories .. of all kinds .. love your review .. i think you feel me man! :)
E.

[John the Baptist]

The first part of this offering is full of vegetation imagery and also the mention of the changing colors of fall. Since these natural things are mentioned in coordination with sadness and change, we must assume loss is the main meaning here. The last stanza speaks in a restrained way about a love that is no more but lives on in the mind. Old wounds may have healed but their scars yet remain.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for reading and reviewing with such specificity! it is much appreciated .. "cut and split for fuel" is the turn ... yes .. many losses in life aren't there ... preserved, hidden from view but they do remain ... you have taken a very universal look at this one ... thanks again so very much
E.

[Betty Hermelee]

You really did bring "sadness" to the the reader, using colors of an artist to enhance mood; the sadness of those magnificent tress cut down for fire wood, now much of the earth that was is asphalt, dark, hard, tough...there is a certain slow flow to this poem which and sad, which makes it so real, and sad at the same time.
Best, B

[Einstein Noodle]

Betty ... your review honors and humbles me .. i am truly grateful .. you dove in and feel it .. what more can one ask ... expecting little .. thank you for blessing me with your time ..

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Einstein!

[Kathi]

Well...I found my way here and can now comment on your art in this more appropriate site in lieu of FB. I do really like this, Gene! The imagery puts me in the woods in the Fall. The black macadam/asphalt....Black...an ending... Very impactful! Nice work!

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Kathi ... such a treat you are here at the Cafe' .. i hope you find it an expansive experience .. maybe it will release your own creative writing juices eh!? i personally believe we all have them ...thank you for your kind words .. it's encouraging
E.

[Temperance]

You’re welcome.

[Tom]

Poignant, candid, and aching, breaking heart choking in its own sullen sadness, bereft of love and now crestfallen ..

' I went after it once
down new avenues - lain
in hot macadam
I looked away
I'm not sure what you did
as I watched
black asphalt poured over
old bones and memories '

And a magical, atmospheric soundtrack to accompany the solemn mood

[Einstein Noodle]

what a fine morning it is Tom .. to have your visit and review .. so happy this touched you in such a way .. when our intent is felt by others' in reading .. who can ask for more .. thanks so much .. good to see you here on my lanes :))))))))))
E.

[Einstein Noodle]

ps. and glad you listened to the music ... she is an all time favorite of mine .. top o' the mahrnin' to ya lad!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

How sad and forlorn this piece seems, producing a feeling of things lost, never to be regained. The title drew me in as it reminded me of the Uncle Remus story. I wasn't familiar with the song. Natural beauty buried in asphalt is a saddening prospect. I'd rather bury my worries and troubles in the sand with a fruity umbrella drink in one hand and a beach umbrella over my head. I make my own "mixed drink" with crushed ice, a shot of cranberry juice, a half can of sparkling cherry flavored water and the remainder with blackberry ginger ale; fizzy, fruity, cold and refreshing without much too much sugar. I can add a fat strawberry and a straw to the top and share it with my first grader. Trees are among my favorite things in all of nature. I feed the birds and squirrels every day. I love to watch them out my window so happy and full of antics. I like the metaphor expressed in this piece. It produces a lovely ache of yearning for things lost. Well written, F.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Fabian! your drink makes me thirsty .. almost greedy for the fruity carbonation .. who needs liquor with such an array of fruits and the scene to sip it in! thank you for the visit and review sir!
E.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

My pleasure entirely. :)