Shinings

Shinings

A Poem by John Armstrong
"

A reflection on yet-to-be tapped skills, talents, passions and the hope of having them revealed and used.

"
Often have I trod this trail to catch dying, dusky light,
but this spring morn hoping beckons me here at dawn
to axe-free a patch of shade and open me to shining.
But on my way a penny prays for rescue from prison of log and leaf,
without care dropped, or cast away with ire
neither pocket nor purse less laden for its loss,
nor missed from among its heap of twins.
Yet this aged copper trifle, traded from hand-to-hand,
hunger may have salved with gifts mundane of apple, bread, milk,
or proffered joy with winsome book of wondrous fairy tale.
Beneath tarnish hides worth forgotten, still yearning to shine,
so now it guides me homeward, with hoping renewed.
Nor brass nor bronze but copper-pure too am I, you see,
Penny-poor in virtue hidden but penny-rich, rich in shinings yet to be.

© 2025 John Armstrong


Author's Note

John Armstrong
I am a lover of Robert Frost and the sonnet, which seems out-of-step with today's literary world. Which I don't understand.

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Reviews

When I was thirteen, I had the poem, "The Road Not Taken" framed upon my dresser. I was awed by the syntax of words. I admired it so, and the man who penned it. What an extraordinary poet he was. He reminds me of a neighbor you could ask for a cup of sugar when you have none. I've never written a sonnet, mostly free verse. Today's literary world has no idea what it has missed. Nice to meet you, John. Welcome to the WC!

Posted 1 Month Ago



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1 Review
Added on February 5, 2025
Last Updated on February 5, 2025
Tags: self-awareness, dreams, frustration

Author

John Armstrong
John Armstrong

Madison, CT



About
I am an English lit major who morphed into writing computer software for a living. Syntax, objects and such are common to sonnets and subroutines alike! And, oh, I did write journalistic prose pieces.. more..