The City of Stone

I breathe a sense of place
here carved in halls of
cool granite and marble
singing in the hollows of history

husked from the earth
in centuries past by calloused hands,
strong backs bent before
the keeper of time

noticed the wear and tear
and stopped the chiming of the clock;
implacable stone sits silently
in smooth splendor watching

the denizens oblivious
of the edifices that
protect them from the wind
and offer warmth within,

their stories lost in the memories
of men who lie quietly beneath
their own stones, their truth
buried deep and dark

and still I cannot pull my eyes
away from the perfection gabled
steepled and arched enveloping me
in sweeping streetscape vistas.

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

What beautiful language and imagery here...wow... I'm truly impressed with the style and the flow of this piece, and the way that you have tackled your concept.

their stories lost in the memories
of men who lie quietly beneath
their own stones, their truth
buried deep and dark -- great lines...

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Sarah. I am pleased that you liked the style of this piece.

[Baby Ricochet]

Reads like an old cemetery. Good poem blue.

[icelandicblue]

I like old cemeteries, I have since I was a kid. We have a lot of interesting ones up here. Thanks BR

[Rita L. Sev]

Wonderful imagery here, Blue - I can see the granite and marble, and feel the cool breeze of history flowing throughout this piece... true poetry.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Rita.

[Carolann Dowsett]

I love the feeling of mystery here and the obvious history of the place. Very Beautiful.

[icelandicblue]

Hi Carolann,

Good to see you and thank you.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thanks good to be here :)

[shallimarRose]

Beautiful offering of poetry here Anne. Loved it. xo Rose

[icelandicblue]

Hi Rose,

Thanks so much!

[Debbie_Philly]

Stunning piece of poetry.... very well penned !! :)

[icelandicblue]

Thanks again Debbie.

[PurpleQuartz]

This is a remarkable poem! The words just fit so well together and form a great imagery!

[icelandicblue]

Nice to meet you PurpleQuartz! Thanks for the kind review.

[Blank]

The flow of this is absolutely perfect. Your word choice is wonderful and I love that you've told us exactly what we need to know to picture ourselves there, without spelling it out for us. Beautiful descriptions that really drew me in. You're very talented and I look forward to reading more of your work.

[icelandicblue]

I appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much.

[Joyce S. Greene]

I agree with Jack, Anne. Your poem is a very visual one. I could see those granite and marble buildings and felt the lingering presense of the men who built them. It is spellbinding to look up at tall buildings. I feel overwhelmed when I visit NYC. A very well written poem.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Joyce. I was going for the visuals so I am pleased.

[Angel]

This is achingly beautiful, Hun. This could be Egypt...it could be Jerusalem...it could be Rome...it could be so many places. Oh, if only those stones could speak!!
I enjoyed this so much!!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Angel. What a nice review.

[Jack...]

Anne, this is beautiful. I read this three times as it was like a mini vacation for me. Not sure of the exact place you are talking about, but it could be almost anywhere that history has placed it hands, revealing the craftmenship of days gone by. This poem took me away for a while. So very beautiful.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Jack. I was thinking of Boston, granite and marble both quarried locally. Boston is very European-like in its architecture and layout. It has absolutely beautiful buildings that feel magical to me and of course they also feel like home. Two of my favorite buildings are the Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

[Jack...]

Sounds wonderful. I was only in Boston once and that was when I was young, but I hear I may be traveling there for a meeting next year so I'll be sure to take in those sights.