Very cool write. I'm a solo musician so I can relate.

Tom

An emotional powerhouse, your words -- what more can I say? You've left me in tears. Thank you, a beautiful work of the human condition.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

speaks from the depths of the human soul ...

THIS IS REMARKABLE, JON...WHAT UNFORGETTABLE 'SONGS' CAN BE READ IN THE LINES AND FOLDS OF ONE 'COUNTENANCE'. WELL DONE! THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS & FAITH...JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

Oh my...got me from the first word to the last...Makes me think of the line from Bob Dylan "Hey Mr tamborine man, play a song for me"
this is outstanding Jon...love and blessings
Christine

Brings to mind the works of Homer.
Deep thoughts of the saddest and happiest lines, yet also the cheapest life styles. Your heart sees deep.

Love the wise and intelligent way you articulate thoughts to capture a perfect image of life. "Countenance" itself is a song of reality expressing the duality of human nature. I missed you so much my friend.

Oh my..as always such a pleasure to read your wonderful writing sweet man...sure have missed you I hope you are doing ok...stay safe and well..Hugssss

one man bands bumble over romantic chords
a soul soloing with tapping foot and banjo
a woman with thrill in her thighs for one night

I find this profoundly moving and deeply penetrating, Jon. In life, those of us who live mainly "in our own minds" perhaps go through life looking for that quintessential epiphany of life, love, and everything but in fact, perhaps we are but singing our own song and, at the end of the day, it will be others who will live to commentate on what it is they think we have been, rather than what we have experienced for ourselves. The fate of many a troubadour, I think. We sing the world's song... but we sing it to ourselves alone. So makes me think of Bob Dylan, for some reason. As always, you get to the heart of whatever your mind is set upon. xx

I think every town knows this man
and we as poets are similar to him
as we continue to write all our musings
and weather they be the best, or the worse
we continue...and maybe someday we too will
be written by a stranger who really sees
and listens...

Through Our Gifting Muses
Love & Blessings
Vickie

Your poetry is so exquisite, Jon Michael, it embraces one in a mood that lasts, long after it is read.

Love,
Eileen

To me it seems that you express a universal and timeless theme of this time and place, Jon... ...and you do it most effectively. You have awakened my emotions in a subtle yet powerful way. For some reason, your poem reminds me of one that I posted here several years ago entitled, "Gathering of One." I remember how I felt when I wrote it and your words brought me vividly back to that time and experience. Thank you, my friend. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Though it's a somber image, I really like the last one you left us with here. There's a great sense of mortality in that imagery. Nicely penned, and thoughtful.
SR

You combined poignancy with imagery and truth...brilliant, Jon Michael
peace and love, Carole~

Leaves me with some mystery. Johnny one note?

On the lighter side, Im glad it wasn't incuntenance. ;-)

Ron

Jon,

This is awesome. Your words come to life.

Mary

Love it, Jon. Specifically, I love the way you say what you say.
These insightful lines, for example:

a one man band who has played no encores
tomorrow’s tune never sung yesterday
today’s will not see tomorrow’s daylight

Excellent writing, my friend. -gene.

Such rich insight into these folds, reflected in elegant phrases, each one profound.
Love,
Christine

Excellant work Jon and one that reflects not only the song but the singer...well done.
fee

Hello Jon, it sure is a lonely trek and i know there are those who have journeyed through life with a deeper understanding about different human views and emotions...it is still a blessing to grow older and wiser even if one might feel the whip of trials and sufferings...Thank you for sharing this gift, my friend. Be safe and may God take care of you and your family always.

Love,
Sheri

Dear me, looking into others peoples mirrors, or ones own, depending on the view Jon, is this your reflection or mine? Great poetry, great imagery, one of many, as always, blessings! Jasmin Horst

...he marches on, but to whose tune? This is a lonely, unfeeling figure and he's quite familiar. This has deep resonance, Jon, and I see those "...furrows of time the sun's broil has etched and tanned" -glorious and striking descriptor - and hear "his audience of one" self-applaud.
How good this is, My Friend!

John

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

You show the daylight in a somber soul that needs to restring the heart that was broken and awaken in the tomorrow of your dreams.

George

we are the outsiders of our means...the watchers of how we are being. The shadows we cut are not what we seem.

I know his type. Gathers the flock in a corban, consecrating of anything to God and pumps them full of nothing that resembles the sound of music, a legend in his own mind putting on appearances scribing big notes in his tiny mind...a timely piece Jon. Be well.

Love,
Sage

A mellow trip through the strings of time. Yet, it carries a meloncholy theme that strikes at the heart...

Be always safe,
Karen

I feel the poignant pathos of this lonely heart, and it resonates clearly through the imagery that piles like thunderclouds in an ominous passion play. But there is little real love here and the subject of the poem appears tragically sterile, mono-static. The end is tragic and it follows logically from the languishing body of the poem. It could just as easily be called "Count a Nonce".