Do you care for Mr. Read?

Mr Read needs no introduction.

Nobody cares for you Mr. Read
But I keep on smiling at your persistence
Striving every morning & every day
As you sip your morning tea with ginger
And read the foul news of yesterdays.

You do that leap downstairs and upstairs
As your legs entwine with that of the pet cat
Whose antics amuse you at the same time
As they remind you of someone
Who is close but distant
Who understands but is helpless
Who cares but from far away.

Nobody cares for you Mr. Read
As you sit down later in the day
At the cowshed corner you created for yourself
And rectify and re-rectify your writings.
Do you really need to do that
When all I know about you is
You are special and leagues above
With those whom you compete
And fight.

Your book releases in new covers
It is a treat to see the pleasure in your glowering eyes
As you hover along excitedly from this generation's magic box
To last generation's dream weaver.
Your naivety coupled with your intelligence is a rare combo
Someone who is utterly and totally socially numb
To someone who reawakens society for new mornings and better times.

Nobody cares for you Mr. Read
Except those who have ever read your words
Or have sometimes talked with you
Over long distance calls
Or proximal breakfast teas
Or over voices hovering in a city messed with traffic horns and blares.

You have followers Mr. Read
Invisible ones like me
Or Visible ones like those who have read you
Or have been cured by your touch
Or have been healed by your humanity.

Mr. Read, when you were young
I wasn't there to see you
But I saw where all your breads went
To the pet's stomach
How cats would roll unto you to snatch your fever
How the bat struck the ball
Of how your first poem was a success in itself
How you were never understood but were always felt.

Mr. Read, I know the now lost days of your youth
When you did so many things in so less time
And how you never really turned old even if you did
How you are still fifty one for the seventh time.

I can give you all the address of Mr. Read
If you want to drink some sugarless tea in the mornings
And discuss poetry and prose all day long.
If you have no issues with unpredictable cats
And stark lonely houses.
If you want to watch boundless greenery
And read
I will give you the address of Dear ole Mr. Read


© Nothing Personal. January 30, 2011.

Author's Note

Some one I know, some one I care

Reviews

[angelina]

It left me speechless. This is a category I've never approached before and you, you've done a great job. It makes me think, when you mentioned Mr. Reads tea with ginger and the offered sugarless tea to 'you,' and then the details that 'I' spouts out, the differences that are 'you' and Mr. Read, and then 'I'. The clash between characters was what was most appealing and powerful to me. It's quite an attractive poem in all.

[Stef Outsiders]

I love it when writers express there kindness for someone, it shows your genuine and thoughtful, the person you care about obviously inspired you bring fourth another wonderful piece of work!

[Ashley June Canfield]

I really liked this, it definitely made me think of someone and the way it was written just fit perfectly.

[Sunflower 20]

i loved the imagery you created with such simple words, it was wonderful. you left me wondering a peaceful house in the country side (at least, thats what i imagined) Brilliant!

[the in between]

Beautiful and relaxing poem. :) I kept reading on smiling at every line. It's all so very warm. I like how you compose ! :) I can learn much from you just by reading.. a little. I tend to write abrupt and short. Ah just beautiful !

[em]

- dear NP - we shall comment in detail later - but i just read this out to serah - "and if there is one address we need - it is the address of mr. read" - says serah - and i say i agree - absolutely stunning writing - you're amazing is what you are!! - :) - smiles from serah and me - :) -

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Sounds like an interesting character indeed... of coarse isn't every good artist somewhat eccentric... a fun (Mr) read indeed.

[Magdelena]

Wow, you took me on a story that lead me in such a wonderful direction.. Near the ending I said, no! I wanted more!! This was fantastic. Your imagery was amazing and if I closed my eyes after the read, I could just picture the table, tea and our dear Mr. Read, the blending of all was spectacular.. Barley touched but you did it with pizazz.. Umpra!

Mags xx

[Moonflower]

This was a lovely, endearing read. I enjoyed the mood you set and the story you have told, a wonderful portrayal of someone that is very close to you, I really liked this one dear. Well done ;)

[Stacey]

You write with deliberate, swift and precise words that are very powerful and moving. I have to admit that I was a bit perplexed initially and read a second time to see the tribute that others saw. What I love about that is that it made me think and re-read. Wonderful, outstanding write!

[KAREN]

A beautiful write to a what appears to be a beautiful friend! Great imagery!