O Brother, Where art thou

longings

"Brother O brother
Will you ride the bike with me?
Why do you think so much
And stare?

When twenty one years later
A photograph is all what will remain
Of this bike and your little sister
Sitting in front"

Continents span their vast huge legs
And dry by the sunshine near the seas
It's darn cold where you live
Even though there's a cherry tree that
Grows by your window
And one day will cross over the red matted tiles
Of the wooden roof of your house
Where you live with Stacey
now.

I have learned sledging and making a snow man
I can put carrots as noses and black coffee beans as eyes
I have a pink bicycle that I pick on evenings
Such as these to go for a ride
In parks or by the hillside
On days it doesn't snow here
Which is rare.

The north wind howls along the continent
Sweeping down
Covering and scrummaging all over the place
The green trees shake in fears
The white rabbits run away.

I too hide in my burrow
And hope the fire keeps me warm
Linens comfort isn't enough I feel
I plan a lonely walk
Down a lane ,
Down a road I have traveled long, long ago.

Amongst a pile of old notebooks,
And blunt pencils
Covered in soft spiderwebs
Is a yellow book with side red orders.
The wind comes from nowhere
And turns a page or two
And alas I know that bewildered expression
That half open mouth with a tooth for two
And there's the girl sitting right in front
Who wants to ride all the way with you.

I tried fumbling through my mobile phone
But the time zones create a indomitable wall,
So instead I open and close my old trunk thrice
take half a dozen showers
Make cup noodles for lunch to eat
And keep distant seas aside.

"Brother O brother
Will you ride the bike with me?
Why do you think so much
And stare?

When twenty one years later
A photograph is all what will remain
Of this bike and your little sister
Sitting in front"

© Nothing Personal. January 31, 2011.

Reviews

[.]

. an absolutely magnificent piece of poetry ... sometimes, even the photograph doesn't remain ... the good thing is ... however ... that poets like you validate the right sort of memories ... sort of put the spot light on the poignant stuff ... skillfully and artistically ... and it's terribly needed ... god knows there's a lot of muck out there and people are also conscientiously filling each other's heads with it ...

[Robin]

a poignant story told with wonderful images ...

[Art Sun]

no matter how far we are left with the visuals within our minds...I would say that we carry them into eternity (we just aren't sure down here)...measuring our time and as you state...longing...there is a sadness to your thoughts and yet such an inspiration ...

nice poetry....

[CalebSchadeck]

very good poem was herd to tell in the begining if the main character was looking back in time or not, but un the end you made this perfectly clear
very good poem not a bad thing about it!

[roarke]

difficult touches inside and outside and past to present. The style here conveys this. Thoughts flow in and find no perch. Emotions flow out and unfurl in the lonesome wind. The memories, the images hold onto what's left and the spirit that glows within.
Yes this is a fine, intimate expression.

[Dushyant Thadani]

I just love this poem, and the message it is trying to convey, which it does with utmost perfection. Most of us can definitely relate to this. Great job. I love the way you started and ended with the same 2 verses.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good poem. Photos can take us to good places where life was very simple. I like the repetition of the question.
"Brother O brother
Will you ride the bike with me?
A excellent poem. Thank you.
Coyote