The Gypsy

 

 

His forebears might have tamed a wild horse

while riding bareback through fields;

or legislated the animal spirit;

now there is only this: an estate, a park

of syringes and torched cars: a code.

The Gael too has lineage to more,

to row boats casting off into the western ocean.

Beside a raging fire, in streets beyond the Gardai,

the gypsy is sweet with cider and love

as he circles and baits the Gael. 

The Gael’s chest is bronzed with muscle,

his fists bloodied. Yet he is still and will not fight.

Reviews

[fireblossom]

To understand this poem I found it necessary to research some of the terms. For example, Gardai, bates, and even Gael though I was had the correct basic understanding of that one. The need to research was in no way negative. To the contrary I felt more engaged and better informed participating in the process.

You have a wonderful way of telling stories in your poetry. Couple that with the amazing use of words and phrases and we are once again blessed by a wonderful poem from you.

Jan

[Bethany Woody]

I love the story you tell in this piece. About the life of a gypsy, how the gypsies were a very passive people and that even when bated they would stand strong against the need to do violence. There is much we can learn from them and apply to life today.

[Butterflymom]

This is beautiful, and well written. What a great story in so few lines.....well done!!

[Greg Skura]

A very moving tale! Thank You!

[Phibby Venable]

i love the images of before and now and the way you have handled them.
you work is always exceptional. also a respect for minorities and history.
you handle things with clarity and compassion. Excellent.

[Emily B]

Sel, you are an amazing poet. I always come back to the value of the portraits you paint. Your characters loom off the page. Flesh and blood persons in their own right. You have a wonderful gift. We are blessed by it.

[Gandré]

Hello Sel

Loved your sensitive portrait of a minority once again, I love gypsy music and went a year ago to as special concert, it's moving hearts like your poem. Especially I loved the first part of it. You demand your characters always to share with the reader their dark moments of life you reveal his wounds and then I think such a masterly written composition again.
love L

[Ed Hart]

We, too, have arrived at this moment no longer armored by a braver heritage, but reduced and worn by mass and drudge, by electric nights and distractions moderated by common denomination; but we have not the courage of the bull to stand dumb-defeated, so we throw fits and fight the coward's fight, and our warrior kings sit in offices and send us to our deaths... You are a true artist, and the Muses use you at will.

[Donald Meikle]

What a world of waste you paste in a few well chosen words.

[Greystone]

This is my favourite poem that I've read on Writer's Cafe this far. You're an amazing poet!!!!!