Amongst The Smunkdalions

Deep in the forestdom of Shadow Wood,

‘ere the air is warm, and thick as a blanket

A hobbled old man by the name of Wayward,

Exists amongst the thicket and gnarled tree roots

on the dense forest floor.

He spends his days tending to a small garden,

Picking patches of pinkleberries,

and watering his smunkdalions.

On most days, a ray of light pierces through the dense canopy

over his simple thatch hut,

and the great white beam always brings a deep feeling of joy to the man.

On these days he laughs, the ache in his heart and in his bones forgotten, and he dances to the harmony of a thousand songbirds, no longer hobbled.

And all is well.

On other days, the beam overhead grows thick, and dark as pitch.

He lays as an imbecile on his thin straw bed,

tossing and turning,

moaning for hours on end.

The arthritis makes it hurt to move, and his grieving heart aches.

The man is sad.

On these days, the old man clings to the memory of the white beam,

and through sheer will, by the end of the day he always brings it back.

Once more, the songbirds sing, the pinkleberries grow, and the smunkdalions bloom.

And he is happy.

Now, I daren’t say the man lives for he doesn’t live, nor will he die.

He simply exists inside all of us.

Author's Note

un-sensor yourself. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Reviews

[annie lee]

Well, I certainly do not see anything to quibble about. This is a lovely poem creating a little magical world and its denizens. It rather reminds me of Neil Gaiman when he's doing fantasy. But the really great part is the end where you pull the wool from our eyes and surprise all of us by saying "BOO -- it's you!" This is a keeper, a dandy little jewel.

[Jason Katz]

Well, thank you. A Neil Gaiman comparison is not something I typically receive, but it is all the more flattering for it. If you are looking for something to "Quibble" about, (what a lovely word), please feel free to check out my new piece "Turbulence". It is still rather rough, (to my ear, at the least), and I am fishing for some critique.

[Ameera Conrad]

Man, I really enjoyed reading this. It's a wonderful balance between whimsical freedom and, I suppose, pain is the word that springs to mind.
I also probably liked it because you say 'ere in the second line; and I love me some dialectic writing.

[Jason Katz]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it.

[poetdoug]

This is really good 'insight' writing. It causes us to all stand back and take a look at ourselves.
Keep it up!

[Jason Katz]

Thank you, I most certainly will! I am glad you liked the piece, and I am thrilled you got the lesson/meaning.

[K-mo]

This is beautifully written, and a very inspiring piece indeed! Keep on writing my friend!!

[Jason Katz]

Thank you K-mo. There is sure to be more to come!

[K-mo]

good! so far you have my interest sparked:)

[Jason Katz]

If that is so, and you are in a critiquing mood, please check out my newly submitted piece "Turbulence". Hope to see you there :) By the way, I love your piece "On The Run", and I would love to read more!

[Sami Khalil]

A good write of fiction...Thank you for sharing...:)

[Jason Katz]

Thank you Sami. I aim to please.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)