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! :)))

[jacob erin-cilberto]

much more than an infant voice, i feel...

much more.

this is delightful in its own metaphors...

[Pryde Foltz]

It is a beautiful piece of poetry, Sarah. The imagery of the first stanza was unreal, really spectacular.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Pryde!

[Rita L. Sev]

We think our words are so feeble, unheard and meaningless in the wide world... but poetry - particularly poetry of this caliber - speaks volumes, bores into the heart and soul, and (as an infant destined for greatness), changes the world. Your concepts and images always intrigue me, Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

We are our worst critics...thank you so much for the kind review.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

An infant's voice, with a poet's mind, and an eye for genius, with a smidge of humility thrown in to boot. It sounds like the perfect recipe to me. I love the language and imagery within this poem. You turn the every day mundane into a poem.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Linda.

[Adam Whitworth]

and i like it too, after a long day at the factory

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Adam.

[icelandicblue]

I like this offering to the gods of poetry. It's a lovely temple you have created. I think your voice is past the infant stage but I understand what you say. We are products of our eras and who knows perhaps one day the offerings will be for someone named Sarah. You've named some of my favorites in this one. I must admit if I could chose who I might like to have dinner with I would chose Emily Dickinson, Jane Austen and Mark Twain thrown in for laughs, imagine the possibilities. As always you have included exquisitely crafted imagery that I can only dream about:

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

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend...those I named are those who have shaped me the most I think. I'm glad you enjoyed this one!

[icelandicblue]

We all have our favorites. I think my dinner party might be amusing because Mark Twain said he'd like to dig up Jane Austen and beat her with her bones. I love your poetry Sarah.

[Richard]

it's just dead beautiful
if I were able to write a good poem ... THIS would be that poem :)
it's just fantastically lyrical and metaphorical and whimsical and true
loved it

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are too kind, honestly. Thank you!

[Chandradhish Ghosh]

Your words are mesmerizing...your idea of humility has to be lauded here...and because you have "gathered the subtle shade of moss" can you actually "bow deeply" before Jack and Pablo...trust me the ocean isn't too far away...you shake the seeds of other poets and compel them to hold the pen and try and utter infant cries!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You humble me...truly. Thank you!

[Tom]

The creative, stunning imagery in these words belie the poems self-deprecating ethos !

A joyous, juxtaposition would be my humble supposition !

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Tom...you are wise :)