8.21.2011

A Stranger On A Street Corner

Stranger and stranger still, the words of a stranger
The underground murmurs of a revolution!
of light!
and right!
That charismatic man on his corner
Who soothes the desperation of the shadows and the dark
Who sees and feels and tastes everything we can't
Our cracked
   Jagged
      Splintered sense of reality devoid of everything
To which we have been taught to be so numb.
Spoken from throbbing lips to granite ears
Is it wasted breath if no one hears?
Why does he stand in the rain and the snow
In a cheap plaid coat and shoes that have walked too many a moon
With strangers who didn't care for a stroll
Why does he spin for us
This yarn of
Once upon a time
   There was a bird born from ash
      Who flew to the highest peak of a mountain
         To grant a faery wish to the most beautiful girl in all the land
             Who wished this world to be cleansed from
Cynicism.
And disbelief.
Too little faith.
And a pinch too much of "I" and "me" and "mine".

I slouch past him and screw up my face
For I am far too mature and wise and sophisticated to stay.
I have no use in my busy life for the faery tales
Of that stranger on his street corner.

8 comments:

  1. Wow "from throbbing lips to granite ears" wonderful language and image... Power-house of a poem

    ReplyDelete
  2. You weave together fantastic images with rhythm and a great storyline. Excellent write!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh wow... wondereful write and use of the wordle words.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow ... this was brilliant to read!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fantastic use of the prompt words. Vivid scene and wonderful juxtapositon of emotions. Well done!

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Is it wasted breath if no one hears?"

    You weaved a powerful tale here! Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  7. you gave the "stranger" such life with a "Splintered sense of reality" wow great writing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Terrific poem - I could see the guy on the corner in his threadbare coat and worn-out shoes, talking to anyone and no one.

    ReplyDelete