The Thirsty Quill

Feeding of what you learn everyday

The metal circle hung on the wall,

Black and bronze and very small.

A copper piece no larger than her head,

Hanging dutifully above her bed.

 

On that night as the air stood still

Due chiefly to her arid quill,

Her mind was but a flood of rant;

Darting fast and cognizant.

 

And as the flame of candle swelled

Her gaze was at this shield compelled;

To rest a trifle and perhaps consider,

What the wall had offered hither.

 

There in bronze was a maiden fair,

Dressed as if with special care

And with her sat a Dervish teacher

A sage or monk or holy preacher.

 

Like tales of old take hold of us,

The fair maiden came to her thus:

Her hair was black as ebony wild,

Her lips as plump as a cherub child.

 

But wait, is that a wig she wore?

With plastic hair that hung at stores?

And were those lips that shone so red,

Bathed in coloured wax instead?

 

 

And was the dervish’s beard real,

Or was it really a stick-on deal?

And was he preaching of the soul,

Or talking elections and Super Bowl?

 

She cursed aloud for never could she,

Beyond botox and make up see,

The real maiden slender and pure,

Only a model, in haute coture.

 

Her Dervish too was but a con

For never had she chanced upon

A person so abstemious by nature,

Wild, and free of sinewy musculature.

 

Her world seemed then a paltry lie

Viewed through film and rosy dye.

Her arid quill did merely reply

“Your mind is what is really dry”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

Oh what a well written tale with an apt (and humurous) last line. I had to laugh at the plastic hair and the stick-on beard. How our illusions are shattered! I enjoyed this poem, and sincerely hope that the 'arid quill', can flow once more! ( when her mind has stopped being 'but a flood of rant!)

[Lee Bakes]

Thanks for your review :D Im so glad that you appreciated all those nuances. Its little things like this that really help her mind get back on track ;)

[Great Aunt Astri]

best wishes :}.................

[barleygirl]

This is an amazing creation. I love rhyme & rhythm, so I have to admire the way yours goes so well without detracting from your strong storytelling style. I love how you tell an epic story in a poem, gradually going from a somewhat elevated Shakespearean sound to a more down-to-earth devilish way of expression as we see how your message really reveals itself. Nice spoof on all the artificial ways that people can muck up a normal-looking natural appearance! *wink! wink!* fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Top rate writing Lee! You have constructed a poem that rhymed with meaning and scans well - fairly rare on WC. Also I was able to read it without frequent stops to scratch my head - what does that mean? I thought your transition from the serious to the comic half way (wigs and plastic hair) was great.
Well done.
I've just uploaded a new story called 'Bus to heaven or .. ' if you have the time for a 'ride'
Thanks,
Alan

[Lee Bakes]

You are too kind :D this coming from someone with as clever writing sense as you is really good for me :) Thanks. Also haha frequent stops to scratch your head because the last one was just outlandish huh? Also thanks a tonne for your time!

Lee