as the sun
touches my face
a whiter shade of pale
still haunts
its timeless melody
pigments my past
and freckly moments
of erasability
are found within
the darkest wishes
of unforeseen light.
while shadows search
for shade I play
hide and seek
with lost.
and yet
how does ones shadow
hide from its self
in light
when a once known stranger
steps on it.
i pick it up
imprinted soul
and go inside
without light to pretend
it disappears.
there in silence
i sit within
a movie palace of this soul
where black and white
finds truth
close-up
Hitchcock angles
pieces of self
misfit
myself cast
a suspended object
upon a wall of rivers bend
and mooned wishes
listening
for the softened echo of light
misbegotten.
in version
i now live
so many sunset boulevard’s
come and gone
their shadow
perhaps to give
a broken appearance
to something
once
larger than life.
I love the use of "pigments" as a verb in the first stanza. Other favorites are: "freckly moments of erasability," the alliteration of "shadows search for shade," and "listening for the softened echo of light misbegotten." These are but a few of my most beloved. With your work, it is difficult to pick and choose, especially when everything you present places you at the head of the class. In fact, when I read your pieces, I think, WHY DO I EVEN OFFER MY HAND AT CREATIVITY?
Moon for the Misbegotten, Hitchcock (a demi-god) Whiter Shade...all good elements plus others in these lines. Enjoyed much. Keep scribbling, Doc used to say.
In the shadow thay lies upon the sun...we are intensified by the possibilities of someone snagging our shadow up and taking us on an adventure.
i'm sorry for my absence. My computer fell victim to an electrical storm so this is the maiden voyage of my new one. I also have shingles and am in a lot of pain.
I wish you well and fun....fun ....fun.
Love,
Susan
Love how you used films, director's etc. in this, being a classic film nut, this was right up my alley-Hitchcock is one of my all-time favorites, too, and poor Norma Desmond, what a story there.
Your poetry is superb...I love the play of light & shadow within the whole thing. I was going to pick out my favorite parts, but... then I would have to write a whole page review and paste your whole poem, so suffice it to say...this is superbly written!
Kudos,
This "...how does ones shadow
hide from its self
in light
when a once known stranger
steps on it." and the last verse are magical to me, makes me think, makes me wonder, what inspires a man to write with such absolute talent!!!!!!!
You are an amazing poetic talent. We who read, write and post on AD are lucky to be able to experience your work on a daily basis. You are a true poet!
wrp
I like this poem "in version" as how can one hide from one's shadow? the one that seeks the darkness our other self? the one that eludes us even when we try to capture its essence in shadow games with the sunlight making it "larger than life" . we can play out our visions in version with making a shadow movie of sorts with our imaginations
and chasing the dream that is only like trying to capture a moonbeam or a shadow. almost there but always elusive...great imagery!!
thanks for sharing...hope I got your meaning right
I like the play on the tite word in-version and reflecting the many versions of your "past" within the "same" locale. the Last stanza is nicely informative. - there's plenty of "refractory light" dazzling around in these reflections and echoes of your past. And as for the reference to Procol Harum's tune "A Whiter Shade of Pale" in the first stanza: I grew up with that tune as well - its melody and words will always bring reflective thoughts to those of us who knew it.
You consistently succeed... continue, michael
Wonderful inversion and introspection done in the pointillism of the romantic placings of light and shade. This has a fabulous tonal quality to it and a delicate and subtle mood. The concepts are crystal clear and yet soft-etched, like charcoals. I love "i sit within a movie palace of this soul" - so hallowed and reverential somehow. Sublime work as always, John. Kate xx
Slowly evolving, peace by peace the puzzle of who we are collects within the mirror of self image we view. And at once it shouts, look, this is you. This is a special poem. Jon Michael Willey
I am never able to read one of your poems just once...I read them over and over again...trying to "listen" to what it is you are saying...or what I think it is you are trying to say. No matter...because I always come away with something...almost as though appreciating a master's fine painting. My take on this is of a man who sees himself how he truly is...one of the most important things we can do in life...and then to accpet it...or change those things that we're not happy with. In any case, beautiful writing, John...as always.
A poem on reflexion...or a mirage of a poem? Now you see it, now you don't, a flash of philosophical though through and illuminating a darker shadow in that soul palace. Whinsical, capricious words that force the mind to corkscrew its way to understanding.
Brilliant! ! !
John enjoyed the read of "in version" and some how the descriptive images and manner plays before my very eyes.
The words below are such a depiction of "in version"
"how does ones shadow
hide from its self
in light
when a once known stranger
steps on it."
I thank you for sharing your works and your world.
Wishing all blessings to you,
~Gwendolyn
Reviewed by Ingeborg von Finsterwalde (Reader)
Reviewed on April 5, 2008
You recognized the person in the mirror John and made peace with him. He now has the option to fly free and proclaim his right to dwell upon a wall of rivers bend
and mooned wishes. Beautiful, like always.
your words so vivid bring this puzzle to life and gives us a picture of how you see yourself in this instance which is like shape shifting shadows flowing in and out of your varied scenarios...
intriguing poem John...ET
Reviewed by blue soplain (Reader)
Reviewed on April 5, 2008
inversion, conversion,
convexed shaping of illumination... through the mind and soul of a BEing. .. just being. ..cant help but imagine a french film noir within this heartbeating piece.
such a magnetic voice.
powerful and resonant~
ness
I felt I was in a play and the climax was beyond the next corner. It held my undivided attention throughout. Wonderful write Johm, I enjoyed this tremendously. Thank you. Love, Bonnie
John, you have such a wonderful ability to capture our attention with each line.. and then your closing stanza always delivers a knock out punch! The reference to 'sunset boulevards come and gone' is stellar! Loved it!
As always,
Myrna
...when darkness falls and the shadow retires 'til next day's first rays of light.
Couldn't stop myself from adding that thought, John. Was so engrossed with your poetic words, I found myself tangled amongst them!
As usual, a great in sight to your dwelling place...
Micke
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on April 5, 2008
Each time I read your work, I read, then re-read, and read again. I wonder sometimes whether my interpretation is aligned with your intent, but know that various perspectives and interpretations ultimately broaden a work's scope and appeal - so I let myself off the hook. What I do know for sure, however, is that I feel "ascended" somehow in reading your words - as if something deeper within is stirred and an intellectual interpretation then seems somehow less important than the feeling of heightened being.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on April 5, 2008
"a movie palace of this soul" . . . Hah! I am reading "The Moviegoer," by Walker Percy for about the third or fourth time . . . Your first stanza captured me and the remaining cemented my own thoughts upon the voyage you have taken . . . Good stuff . . .
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I love the use of "pigments" as a verb in the first stanza. Other favorites are: "freckly moments of erasability," the alliteration of "shadows search for shade," and "listening for the softened echo of light misbegotten." These are but a few of my most beloved. With your work, it is difficult to pick and choose, especially when everything you present places you at the head of the class. In fact, when I read your pieces, I think, WHY DO I EVEN OFFER MY HAND AT CREATIVITY?
David Lee Thompson
i'm sorry for my absence. My computer fell victim to an electrical storm so this is the maiden voyage of my new one. I also have shingles and am in a lot of pain.
I wish you well and fun....fun ....fun.
Love,
Susan
and the truth is plain to see." Procol Harum
Kudos,
Cryssa
hide from its self
in light
when a once known stranger
steps on it." and the last verse are magical to me, makes me think, makes me wonder, what inspires a man to write with such absolute talent!!!!!!!
wrp
and chasing the dream that is only like trying to capture a moonbeam or a shadow. almost there but always elusive...great imagery!!
thanks for sharing...hope I got your meaning right
katie
p.s thanks for your support
Love Tinka
You consistently succeed... continue, michael
Brilliant! ! !
Georg
John enjoyed the read of "in version" and some how the descriptive images and manner plays before my very eyes.
The words below are such a depiction of "in version"
"how does ones shadow
hide from its self
in light
when a once known stranger
steps on it."
I thank you for sharing your works and your world.
Wishing all blessings to you,
~Gwendolyn
and mooned wishes. Beautiful, like always.
Ingeborg
intriguing poem John...ET
convexed shaping of illumination... through the mind and soul of a BEing. .. just being. ..cant help but imagine a french film noir within this heartbeating piece.
such a magnetic voice.
powerful and resonant~
ness
Beautifully imaged in verse, I love the inspiration in these lines- well done.
(((HUGS)) and love, Karla.
As always,
Myrna
Couldn't stop myself from adding that thought, John. Was so engrossed with your poetic words, I found myself tangled amongst them!
As usual, a great in sight to your dwelling place...
Micke