Spoon Man

You cannot hear music and noise at the same time. - Thoreau

barefoot with insane, piercing eyes

hugging hellos and shunning goodbyes

cling-clanging

clickety-clacking

rickety-racking

clinking-clanking

rat-a-tat-tatting

eternally old

loud and bold

his music dwelling in both heart and soul

long since tarnished

days numbered and place settings garnished

melody's master and grooving's physician

always sleeping in that same one position

never needing a judge to pardon

growing grunge in a sound garden

leaving the weeds to thrive and be

unable to save the woeful likes of me

the onomatopoeia of his epileptic gyrations and fervent, rhythmic prayers dancing

each performance the epitome of chancing

playing a song for all men's lives

good thing he never learned to play with knives

Author's Note

"I saw that the State was half-witted, that it was timid as a lone woman with her silver spoons, and that it did not know its friends from its foes, and I lost all my remaining respect for it, and pitied it." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

He sounds like a modern musical dervish, I bought a wooden spoons musical instrument at the Salvation Army for 1 dollar. They were in the kitchenware section. The lady, when I purchased it, asked, what is that thing, we were trying to figure it out. I said it's a musical instrument. Really? Yup. The one man band is still a thing here and there. I enjoyed the read, Pete. F.

[Re-Pete]

hmm, who'd have thought? a good player of them is quite intriguing.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I carry maracas and my spoons in my guitar case when I go out to play. They worked pretty good for the intro to Under the Boardwalk...since I didn't have a washboard. I love that song.

[Re-Pete]

i like that. cool.

[Arundass TP]

Really expressive and imaginative writing. Well selected words. Good poem. Enjoyed reading

[Re-Pete]

thank you for sharing your thoughts. appreciated.

[robert harris jr]

great tempo sonnet Ruythum draws me leave me hanging finding my own understanding of lost

[Re-Pete]

thank you for the honest review.

[Davidgeo]

I love that song.

I love this poem as well.

[Re-Pete]

i love the song too and thought that it deserved a write. thanks for sharing thoughts.

[Betty Hermelee]

Great music! I have heard spooning here in the mountain of North Carolina.... it's a talent for sure...the poem rocks like the spoons do, and your adoration of this person certainly shows in this piece...Epileptic gyrations bring me back to Elvis, but i guess many musicians do it as well..." his music dwelling in both heart and soul"....gyve on Pete!!!
Warmly, B

[Re-Pete]

lol. you'd make a good motivational speaker. i thought the song was pretty cool and deserved a write. an under appreciated musical talent for sure. thanks for sharing thoughts b.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Pete🌷
Warmly, B

[Mariej]

An intriguing poem on "The Spoon Man". I love how you describe in great detail his performance and the various sounds the spoons make back to back. In yesteryear, there was hardly an Irish traditional band who didn't have at least one man who played the spoons. It was a mesmerising display, almost hypnotic and seemed to add something special to the music. I love the added graphic which complements the words of the poem so well and I also like the layout of the poem, the effortless flow of the poem in perfect rhythm. Thank you for the trip back to yesteryear and on down "Memory Lane!" Lovely work, Pete. I so enjoyed reading this sublimely penned poem and thank you for sharing, dear poet...

[Re-Pete]

i did not know that about irish traditional bands having it. "mesmerizing" and "hypnotic" are great words to describe it - is how i feel about it. thank you.

[Mariej]

Yes, the Irish traditional bands all had a "Spoon Man" and also the bands which came to each house on St. Stephen's Day. It was a very entertaining display as "The Spoon Man" was a Master at his art. Most welcome always. I so enjoyed your poem, Pete...

[Re-Pete]

the irish sure love their music. i love music.

[Mariej]

Me too, but definitely NOT traditional Irish music. Can't tolerate it, lol...

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I like this
It’s different zany way out
Is it fiction or non fiction
I like any poem that’s different out of the norm
Cheers

[Re-Pete]

based on a real person. glad you enjoyed it. this one seems to have struck a chord. thank you for sharing thoughts julie. happy summer!

[Ken Simm.]

This is remarkable writing. Even if I am finding it somewhat surreal I am entranced with your rich choice of words and phrases. That make it a pleasure to read. Wonderful.

[Re-Pete]

hmm, surreal is definitely a great way to describe it - (is what i was going for). thank you for the kind, honest thoughts ken.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I needed this poem this morning....what a smile...and great last line...but left me wondering....what exactly would have happened if he WERE playing with knives...

I want to visit that sound garden today.
thanks for this, Pete,
j.

[Re-Pete]

lol. it's good to laugh even if it is at our own expense. "what exactly would have happened if he WERE playing with knives?" i don't think we want to go there, it could be ugly!

[Poetic Beauty]

Chris Cornell had one of those very unique raspy growling voices. I have always been a fan of Sound Garden. I grew up with the grunge and alternative music coming to life. Back when MTV still played music videos and had music news.

[Re-Pete]

just recently discovered this song. he has the perfect voice for that type of music. the video makes them look scary. i used to love mtv.

[Poetic Beauty]

Sadly Chris Cornell is no longer living. He has a few remakes of some songs he did solo that came out after he died.

[Re-Pete]

wow. i just read about him. he committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room. he struggled with depression and substance abuse.

[Poetic Beauty]

He had been sober for awhile. His doctor put him on a new medication for depression and well he committed suicide not long after. There is a lawsuit.