An Infant's Voice

i have long walked the winding road --

clattered forward upon cagey cobblestone

tripping on cracks while prudently avoiding

italicized puddles and linear metaphors

 

i have gathered the subtle shade of moss,

studied the way naked tree branches appear

as tense capillaries against a sunken sky,

mulled over the hue of rust as it chews

through collapsing red-barn rooftops

 

i have tucked everything into a leather satchel

hanging on a hook inside of my head

between meticulous catalogues of endless quotes

and stacks of other people’s genius, remembered

 

you call me a poet, but I gild that word silver --

apply it blindly to the likes of Emily and Sylvia,

bow deeply as I present it to Jack and Paublo

with plates of figs and aged red wine

 

because I am only an infant voice shouting syllables --    

a murmur underlying the measured rattle of streetcars

and the distant aria of an antique ocean

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

And here, you connect me to you... this write tells me a lot about the "journey" and all that we travel, to achieve in our hearts.... there is sadness, and grief, there is hope and love....

You paint a way with magic here too, a way that only true poet's feel, and can see... the selfless way, and the way, to perceive what is truly important.... and the fact of being just that "little" like a dust particle, in the endless air, is what makes you close to me.... :) a lovely piece of true poetry here. Very well done dear.... it makes me feel the "infant" is a wise lonely child, (shaking hands on that part) with you ;)

- Elisa

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are such a beautiful reviewer, my friend. Thank you for taking the time to read and really let the words sink in. :)

So are you dearest, I highly apperciate you.... although I'm a slow turtle.... I'm your fan! :)))

[Ed Hart]

informed and tender, this is quietly beautiful, a cornucopia from the poet's heart...you may go further, but you've certainly arrived

[Rebecca Buller]

"i have tucked everything into a leather satchel
hanging on a hook inside my head"
GF, this may very well be the best piece you've written. I've probably said that before, but I don't care. I'll probably say it again:) You've written words that apply to all of us. I could gush some more, but there's little more to say except: Bravo, milady!!

[sayed Mudasir Ali]

There is a talent in you .... You are a little tiger in the woods because I like the way of your writing a poem to take from here to there so that is a brilliant quality in your magical poems. You know the third last line of this poem is really the heart of the poem.Hail to you dear Poetess ....

[lyss]

Too true... Too true. But you know they weren't always known as great poets, so you never know you may join their ranks one day.

[Blank]

The parallel's you draw are fantastic, the way you present your thoughts and ideas is so original and relatable.You have a command over vocabulary that is admirable, and real talent for presenting common words in an uncommon way. Amazing!

[Clara]

I'm not sure how you do it - but you are an incredible writer.
The words you use to articulate the imagery in this poem are... indescribable.

This has to be one of the most gorgeous poems I've ever read:
'subtle shade of moss'
'naked tree branches appear as tense capillaries against a sunken sky'
'plates of figs and aged red wine'
'distant aria of an antique ocean'...

You are amazing.

[kublakhan27]

Sometimes you just leave me awestruck to the point of speechlessness my friend. Actually I'm speechless in every possible way these days. If I can recover a sample of the magic you weave with your words, I will be content.

[Robert L. Franklin]

Great poem, Sarah. I really do enjoy reading your work, especially for lines like this: "... studied the way naked tree branches appear as tense capillaries against a sunken sky..." Your imagery is amazing.

[Lydia Shutter]

There is an exquisite depth to the words you pen, Sarah. The imagery is splendid...."the distant aria of an antique ocean"....wonderful! The introspection is honest and I can identify with it. I enjoyed the references to the great poets like Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath. A wonderful write, Sarah. Lydi**