The wall is full of symbols so much emotion in a myriad of colors and writing styles You think you can see the sea in the west but you can’t be sure Sky sea smog are all one in the Los Angeles summer afternoon You can hear yells and the throb of a boom box from the other side of the wall above the roar of the traffic on the multi-lane freeway Once more you look at the messages on the wall Feelings overwhelm you can taste salt of sweat or tears as you try to read the writing on the wall you’d rather be in San Francisco
WALLS...SEPARATE US FROM 'THINGS'. SOMETIMES FOR THE GOOD, BUT THEN SOMETIMES NOT SO GOOD. IN ANY CASE....'READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL'....CAN HELP ONE MAKE UP THEIR MIND AS TO WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE. AND...CANADA IS A LONG WAYS FROM SAN FRANCISCO(SMILE). THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS
Excellent work Regis....very creative and interesting too!
Thanks for sharing and for caring!
Much Love,
Margaret
Reviewed by Peter Schlosser (Reader)
Reviewed on October 24, 2009
It's funny. I've lived in both cities. The favortite pass-time in SF is to bad-mouth LA and Southern California. When they asked me up there what LA thinks of SF, I simply told them: "Nobody cares. It's not even an issue." They have better things to do, like raid PETA shelters and such things.
Very meaningful is so many ways. Such creativity you have. Reminds me of my hometown Phila.
Reviewed by Cady Hayden (Reader)
Reviewed on December 17, 2006
Thanks for my poems review. I saw that this was one of your popular poems and I enjoyed the imagery. This is my favorite part:
You can hear yells and
the throb of a boom box
from the other side of the wall
above the roar of the traffic
on the multi-lane freeway
Looks and sounds like you enjoy your writing...keep up the creativity!
With the power of simpliciy and brevity you have crafted a poem which
successfully (for me) makes meaningful connections between the sights and sounds of one city and your nostalgia for the sights and sounds of another. The use of the graffiti as a hook on which to hang the connections was an inspired ides which gave the theme and tone great strength and universality. I would love to go back to it from time to
time and, for that purpose have placed it in My Library. A nice piece
of creativity!
Congrats!!!!!!!!! Such imagery in words and pictures. I too prefer SF, LA's smog and traffic too much for a transplanted southerner. Not many Urban Picasso's in my neck of the woods thank goodness.
Love this, seen this, but not as perfectly put as you've expressed and have even lived in S.F. ...how wonderful a piece, as colorful and as the spectrum of pain and curiousity, human worry and wonder and ...even rather being in San Francisco...
Yes...ohhhhhh, Huge Congratulations to a special Poet with a heart and soul and style/persona to be grateful for, in other words...YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! (on the Contest win ;-)!!!)
:-)
standing ovation for the words of the giving Poet!!!!!
Regis, congrats on the win of the poetry contest, I guess we will have to call you "SIR" now, huh?! I really liked this poem and am going to save it, even though I know nothing of LA other than it is in the state of the shakes (earthquakes). And I will only go there if I am paid, LOL!
All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia. (Just kidding). Congratulations, mon vieux. J'aime bien vos idees et vos écritures. This is quite intriguing.
Congratulations Regis!! Well-deserved too. I am very glad you won... I had already featured some of your work in Poetry Life & Times this month. Today I added a banner announcing your win, with the AuthorsDen logo and your picture. It links to the winner page... take a look some time today. I will link it back to this page in two or three week's time, if you remind me...
Sara.
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on December 3, 2003
Congratulations on the win! :-) Wonderful write on Graffiti. I discovered that it has a language completely of its own while visiting a friend of mine in San Jose.
Regis, many congratulations on winning the 7th AD Poetry contest! Your poems like this one have such creativity of combined form and imagery. I've enjoyed a lot of the graffiti I've seen; been to LA on a number of occasions, and so this poem definitely strikes a chord with me. Cheers! -- Jeff
Hey Regis
Very powerful piece, love the emotion felt in this, and I almost feel like I'm back in Los Angeles. I had visited there many years ago, wonderful write.
Thank yoy for your review as well.
Marilyn
Now how on earth do u get this many reviews on one poem???? I personally think that graffitti is one of the most beautiful forms of art, and I wish that those gangsters could find a way to fuel their art into something more positive.
Thanks for reviewing my poem,
kaci
Reviewed by T. Emilie Dybevik (Reader)
Reviewed on November 23, 2003
Your creativity and expression are unique. I adore that. Your words are very explosive...almost like the calm before the storm. Excuse me, I'm in tornado country--lol. The expression does fit here though. Blood, sweat and tears define that wall... excellent work.
For the most part, I believe we've solved the problem here in Seattle, Washington: we paint life-like paintings on the sides of buildings, usually quite beautiful. But, on occasion, we do see gang related graffiti. Very good poem, Regis, and well crafted. One suggestion: a few less "the" and "myriad" stands alone without "of" and "a". ~~Bonnie Q
Wonderful write, Regis. Only one who is so observant as you are knows the fact and tell it like it is. Great work indeed!
Sandie Angel a.k.a. May Lu :o)
Reviewed by Anna Marie Fritz (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
Splendid, Regis!
In our small burg, the trains, with miles-long boxcars, carry
the same kind of graffiti. Life stories told in two or three
words, with the kind of art that should be hailed by someone,
or purchased by the elite. And alas, most of the artists are
vagrants, and will never be known. I never did graffiti, but
have written a poem about it. Maybe I will put it on AD.
But you, my poet friend...you WILL...for you have 'captured'
your art and presented it to the world in person.
Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
Ahhhh, finally got here! whew.. this is quite an insightful piece. When I see the angry graffiti, I often hope that by expressing it on the wall, the anger and hate might have been satisfied and saved the person from committing a violent act. Your poem is explosive.. but also universally shared. Wonderful work, Regis. katy.
Loved the picture on graffitti!
Excellent display on imagery
and emotions involved!
Makes ya think!
Thanks for reviews!
Reviewed by Vesna Perkovic (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
..right!..I'm coming over..LOL
I did a couple myself ..yeah ..I know..shouldn't have ...I drew Twin Flames..many cried... many found one another... many began the search..hmmm...the wall was pulled down after a while ..but it's still blazing in many memory-banks...:)
WEll done...
Vesna..
Outstanding write and a fun one, too, I might add! As a resident of Oakland across the Bay, I can completely see where you were heading with this one! A really nice urban snapshot!
Reviewed by Angelica Young (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
Excellent poetry, I absolutely loved it.
Best Wishes
~Angie~
Reviewed by Taylor Trenton (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
Today I would it is freezing in my part of the worl excellent poetry.
I love it. It's an orginal piece of poetry describing the beautiful side of graffiti. After reading it, I yearn to jump on the next plane out to San Francisco to see it for myself.
Graffiti is a big thing out here in New York. Needless to say 95% of it is vulgar. Graffiti, either beautiful or vulgar was an excellent source of such a beautiful piece of creativity that you have shared with us.
I lived around those walls for 35 years. I know the space you're describing, and you do it so well. It could be the ocean's roar, or a drive by. Very well written.
Carmen
Reviewed by *********** ********** (Reader)
Reviewed on November 22, 2003
I've seen some done and it looks amazing...and then not!
You always come up with something different...Enjoyed this ty, Dani :)
A perplexing situation, seen from differed eyes, acknowledging there is 'something' tumultuous there, human emotions behind the symbols, a bit of fear as to the meaning, in fact, not wanting to read the writing on the wall gives a sense of 'spatial abandonment', Regis. What a wonderful depth you've given this piece! One that continues to persue thoughts in my mind. Here, in my small twinned community of mining town above and fading swashbuckled town below, the graffiti comes into our lives on the sides of the train cars that haul the copper. I often wonder of the lives behind the art; surely they who love the form as an art produce such colorful avowals with as much passion as we poets do when we create our wordy admissions and visions...
:)
Reviewed by Simon Thurlow (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2003
Nice write Regis. Though you are talking about LA, it seems there are many of us in other parts of the world who can just as easily see this in their own Town and Cities. Amazing perception and observation
graffiti mania & those who do it, different levels, different stories & sometimes there´s some art in it too, but rare, but liked the flash impact of your piece
Great write, my friend. I love the pic..
Outstanding!!!
*Linda*
Reviewed by Susan Sparks (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2003
Regis: There is good and bad graffiti. Some people do it to vandalize; some do it to make things beautiful. I enjoy the graffiti on the trains as they go by. Makes the long wait worth waiting for. A whole traveling art gallery sometimes. Great poem.
Reviewed by P. Michaels (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2003
I've never been in California, but I did see the coastline as we flew over it. Nevertheless, I know what you mean about Graffiti. It's not at all pretty like the murals painted on the side of buildings. The ones I saw in Philadelphia PA were masterpieces. There some nice ones in Ohio, also.
We have no walls we have no writing :)
Some of what I have seen in pictures only of course is very artistic but also garish on a city street ..
Reviewed by Oirdheirc Mor (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2003
Hi Regis,
Your right about LA, what a God forsaken place that is, after twenty years of visiting the Anaheim Trade Fair, the only thing worth looking at, is the graffiti.
give me San Francisco any time.
I would love to be sitting on the jetty now, watching the sunset over the Farallon’s.
Good one,
Oirdheirc Mor
Reviewed by Floria Kelderhouse (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2003
REgis this is great....these people have so much artistic ability...If only it could be used for the good...maybe it is...who knows if it helps people or not...perhaps we don't know the whole story behind it...but I have seen some of it at times and it is colorful and wonderful....as is your poetry...great work...floria
good write, regis; well done! love the write and the pic; but never been to los angeles; closest i have been to cali is to salt lake city, utah! LOL (((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in texas, karen lynn. :D tx for your review, too, by the way; it was much appreciated!
Regis, you know what keeps crossing my mind when I see walls such as this, is that if they would take all that artistic talent and channel it into something productive, there would be no stopping them, and further more, nobody would want to.
Great write! Lisa
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Thanks for sharing and for caring!
Much Love,
Margaret
You are a master of the imaged word . . . splendid work as always!!
Best regards,
Lance
You can hear yells and
the throb of a boom box
from the other side of the wall
above the roar of the traffic
on the multi-lane freeway
Looks and sounds like you enjoy your writing...keep up the creativity!
successfully (for me) makes meaningful connections between the sights and sounds of one city and your nostalgia for the sights and sounds of another. The use of the graffiti as a hook on which to hang the connections was an inspired ides which gave the theme and tone great strength and universality. I would love to go back to it from time to
time and, for that purpose have placed it in My Library. A nice piece
of creativity!
Janet xoxoxo
Yes...ohhhhhh, Huge Congratulations to a special Poet with a heart and soul and style/persona to be grateful for, in other words...YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! (on the Contest win ;-)!!!)
:-)
standing ovation for the words of the giving Poet!!!!!
(Chéjov)
Julie :)
Sara.
word,
cynth'ya
Very powerful piece, love the emotion felt in this, and I almost feel like I'm back in Los Angeles. I had visited there many years ago, wonderful write.
Thank yoy for your review as well.
Marilyn
Thanks for reviewing my poem,
kaci
Thank You,
Emilie
Sandie Angel a.k.a. May Lu :o)
In our small burg, the trains, with miles-long boxcars, carry
the same kind of graffiti. Life stories told in two or three
words, with the kind of art that should be hailed by someone,
or purchased by the elite. And alas, most of the artists are
vagrants, and will never be known. I never did graffiti, but
have written a poem about it. Maybe I will put it on AD.
But you, my poet friend...you WILL...for you have 'captured'
your art and presented it to the world in person.
Excellent display on imagery
and emotions involved!
Makes ya think!
Thanks for reviews!
I did a couple myself ..yeah ..I know..shouldn't have ...I drew Twin Flames..many cried... many found one another... many began the search..hmmm...the wall was pulled down after a while ..but it's still blazing in many memory-banks...:)
WEll done...
Vesna..
Best Wishes
~Angie~
Graffiti is a big thing out here in New York. Needless to say 95% of it is vulgar. Graffiti, either beautiful or vulgar was an excellent source of such a beautiful piece of creativity that you have shared with us.
Karen
What a powerful outstanding
write... BRAVO!!!!
Trixie :)
Love Tinka
Carmen
You always come up with something different...Enjoyed this ty, Dani :)
:)
Reindeer
Outstanding!!!
*Linda*
Thanks
Gina
Some of what I have seen in pictures only of course is very artistic but also garish on a city street ..
Your right about LA, what a God forsaken place that is, after twenty years of visiting the Anaheim Trade Fair, the only thing worth looking at, is the graffiti.
give me San Francisco any time.
I would love to be sitting on the jetty now, watching the sunset over the Farallon’s.
Good one,
Oirdheirc Mor
~Chrissie
Mo
Great write! Lisa