Like Thelonious

Of doubt and death.

In solitude,

I imagine myself as Thelonious Monk,

rapping into and across my dreamscapes,

as he does his ivory and his sadness.

And here I am,

on the the blue line in the City of Wind

lonely as I will ever be,

in this cramped caravan,

filled with souls and the soulless,

on my way home.

To Kentucky.

Where moonlight drapes like eyelids.

A dreary, innocent tune looms,

keys clicking chords,

black voice moans in realization:

one day youth ends.

This tune paints Chicago as it drones on,

and Chicago will forever drone on,

lost, but blazed on vigor.

Old, wrecked in graffiti hopelessness but Chicago kneels.

Forever in prayer,

whispering holy holy gospel,

beating on it's chest in Def Jam prophecy,

burning in the passion of lunatic pastors.

Maybe their Messiahs.

Maybe they're faded angels.

And maybe I'm numb. I don't know.

I wish I was more like Chicago.

But now, I'm content.

Sitting alone in my own distortion.

Reviews

[J]

i find this dreamily melancholic, specific to place and mood . . . and perhaps fatigue. fatalistic musings of life's goings on as perceived through the soullessness of chicago ~ against a backdrop of despondent jazz. goodness but you do "blue" well. even the blue line! i think i rode that ;)

"Where moonlight drapes like eyelids." this is wonderful.

"But now, I'm content./Sitting alone in my own distortion." it's almost like that feeling that comes with having a fever . . .

you have a talent for painting landscapes, ben. powerfully desolate.
~j

[emmajoy]

Such a picture here, of a time, place and atmosphere created by eyes-open no fooling me observer. Don't know Chicago, don't understand the melancholy you portray but if i close my eyes i'm taken somewhere i'd like to have experienced but with someone nearby to hold my hand ..

Quite a phrase this: 'Where moonlight drapes like eyelids.'

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Maybe their Messiahs.
Maybe they're faded angels.
And maybe I'm numb. I don't know..............this is beyond excellent.

[asdarkeyesclose]

Love that line :'where moonlight drapes like eyelids', some strong writing towards the end as well; excellent poetry :)