Poetry by Dead Men

Poetry by Dead Men

 

 

my feet were crossed

within his lap

as he read to me

poetry by dead men

 

i listened with earnest intent

as the atmosphere around me slipped

into oblivion

as the spine of books

crackled  upon opening

to pages in sepia tones

spoken in the tenor of his voice

 

there were offerings of Robert Frost,

of how the woods

were dark and lovely and deep…

e.e. cummings,

who wrote about the rain with all its obscurities

having such small hands.

 

the afternoon was well spent,

like Hemingway’s fisherman was to the sea

my heart became a voyager

to the past

as winter was no more an intrusion

with an accumulation of snow

 

as he read to me

poetry by dead men.

 

Reviews

[Jibey]

Dreamy moments... lovers caressing each other with words - which live beyond the lives of their authors. Your poem flows easily and wastes no words; it holds together well in its structure and poise. Intensely enjoyable.

[I only wrote this for the foot rub, lol]

[Kelly Scheppers]

Lol, I love it!! You may go to the front of the line, Jibey. Thank you for noticing!

[Dave Brown]

It is unfortunate that too many dead men have their offerings even that much more appreciated after they have gone on their way.
If they do look down on us, I am sure this beautiful piece would bring many a smile of appreciation.

[Kelly Scheppers]

What a lovely thought to bestow upon me. Thank you, Dave!

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Beautiful and multidimensional... had to read it twice! Very well done! And the title is the perfect hook!

[T_J]

I think this is just really good I love how the words kind of just flow.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The idea just came to me, that most of our favorite poets really are gone. But what they've left us still leaps from the pages when read. Thank you!

[Vex]

Yep… this is the poetry I came here to find. Do you ever get to that point where you just feel like you need to be nourished? That’s how it feels with poetry too sometimes I guess.

I love how casual it was at the beginning. The feet in the lap. It feels relaxing and safe and it welcomes us into the poem also. Then there’s this glorious bluntness of poetry by dead man, and it adds so much weight to the imagery.

Completely adore the stripped back approach to grammar, and it completely works in this context.

Thank you for sharing this.

[Kelly Scheppers]

My heart is overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you for your presence here.

[emmajoygreen]

Your poem is passion surpassed and more than welcome at my door! Then, take a brief walk to the sofa where peace, anticipation and love combined will curl within the gentle shadow of a special, perhaps a deep voice and brief smiles, pauses and exhaled breaths of contentment. There is magic in the sound of a darling reading other men's' words - not naughtiness, not intrusion but - an explosion of past (dead poet) experience and more - the understanding of a fully alive man knowing how to interpret his gender's abilities and emotions. Magic!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Gosh Em, however did I miss this? Your reviews read like they're front page news! Thank you for the warmth they bring me today!

[Relic]

Well done, Kelly. Author's of the past, through their words, can still speak to us through time. That includes authors no longer with us on WC.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Strange that you would mention that, Tim. I think each of us know of at least two authors that are no longer with us, yet their pages remain. Thank you for gracing my offering with your kindness of words, as you so often do. Your friendship is preserved within my soul, for always.

[Relic]

That's kind of you, Kelly. The feeling is the same here. :)

[red93]

This is Fabulous Kelly - a 'masterpiece' indeed. Lovin' that Robert Frost vibe ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for your presence here, Tony. I find it a gift in my ordinary day!

[Robert Trakofler]

what a delightful scene to have seen in your words:) I have been doing a lot of reading lately mostly of old poetry textbooks that my mother gave me and mostly written by dead men (and ladies) LOL there is a delicious smell to old sepia toned books that many find somewhat off-putting However I find it smells like home:)

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'd have to agree with you on that, Robert. I think perhaps that's why I collect them (books) and love the look and feel of them in a room. Their presence is a vestige of time in itself. Thank you!

[Betty Hermelee]

Nothing like a being curled up in your lover's lap and having dead poets' writings read to you...so cozy and romantic, lovers enjoying their time together...just listening to words...maybe a glass of wine would set a perfect scene...well written
Warmly, B

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Betty. Always a pleasure to see you!

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Kelly; hope all is well with you….
Warmly, B

[Mauricio Montoya]

Good write my favorite is Poe Annbelee, thank you for sharing..

[Kelly Scheppers]

Another favorite. So hard to choose! Thank you most kindly, Mauricio!