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Pebbles by the Gate

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:36 pm
by JessRehearsalRag
So I am new to these forums and I just found out this existed- I am so happy about this! Okay, so I JUST published my first book of poetry ever. I'd like to share a few selections with you guys, if you don't mind lending an ear. Please be gentle <3 I'm no Leonard Cohen. Ok, so... here is one selection, it may not be the best poem but seems like a good choice to share with you lot- you'll see why.

~
Through trees the tresses of the sun cascade
cast a thousand golden freckles
on the brook we bathed in
so alive, splashing barefoot laughter
We played at hobos shared
a can of beans and washed it down in
tepid water from a gas station
restroom near the cemetery where we slept
the night before
You worried but I was protected by
the ghosts of the cemetery and the
mountain of your arms
Now, off key, we sing of
“heroes in the seaweed”
and the sun really does pour like honey
You look up through the underside
of the bridge
the cars Whoosh too loudly, intruders in
our serene landscape and
overwhelm the small voice of your woman
You sweep hair from my face
milk skin smells of soap and grass
Downstream, an old man quietly fishing
seems familiar, but you cannot place
your finger on
or maybe it was just the hat.
We aren’t always as alive as
we were that summer
God, we were so young
but sometimes we remember-
“They are leaning out for love
and they will lean that way forever.”

Someday you’ll return to the rusted bridge
the radiant brook and you’ll see them
the young lovers and they will
look at you as though
you somehow seem familiar
With a sigh and half a smile
you will tip your hat and cast your lines.
*The song we were singing, in case you wondered, was Suzanne, by the sublime Leonard Cohen, 1967.

(Okay, so the * is for the general audience, i'm pretty sure you guys recognize the song. ;) This really happened while stranded in a mountain town with my now-husband when we were younger and newer and it is also my nod to my favorite writer of all time. He gets one more nod in my first book bc it opens with a quote and disclaimer- "I am one of the fakes." )
~

Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to share a few more selections in this thread.

Re: Pebbles by the Gate

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:48 pm
by JessRehearsalRag
The artist, in his work, may weave
some feeble tapestry of Truth
like stones to treasure,
Queens pretend
enchanted, in her youth
Lovers, poets, fishermen
and ye of holy mind
it is to river all you go
to sit and cast your lines.
-----------------------------------
On bended knee
I find you
skinning the cosmos
streams of tired ghosts
rush from the wound
you washed my eyes,
“Don’t be so dramatic”
while i mouthed prayers of
wordless gratitude
I removed my sandals
for the work ahead is slow
I hunkered down
I sit here still
fastening my circuits
to your soul
------------------------------
When we climbed the Tree of life
folded minds into the night
we kept a grain of golden sand
thought we were so clever
but only angels hold the key
per the rules of hierarchy
That Midas touch, it could not
stay with us forever
--------------------------------------
Life is but a dream
You are the cosmic sleeper
I am just the seed.

~-------------------------------


~
We did it to keep warm
or for fireworks in the city
We were just some lonesome gypsies
(though our songs were fairly pretty)
Don’t ask- it does not matter
if we were dancing in the rain
We understood how music’s born
from the rattlings of chains.
-------------------------------------

The Whispers of Heaven…

Oh mortal shells upon the sand
still pressed under the thumb
undaunted man of courage moves
to stand, with longing tongue

and solemn hand to brush
thy vast and salted tear
while music pours from open doors
to nestle in his ear

From beneath the wells of history
the poet to transcribe them yearned
There he leans still pondering
a language which we cannot learn.

----------------------------------------------------

The book is on amazon dot com, it is called Pebbles by the Gate. (I have sold two whole copies so far, even though i have a family of about 100.) If you enjoyed them and you are able to purchase a copy, it would help me afford christmas gifts for the kids this year. Even if you don't buy a copy, I'd love to hear your comments below. Again- please just be gentle, I'm a sensitive one. Now that I know this exists I will be spending some time here, reading your work and responding and supporting my fellow writers.

Oh, and if anyone is interested, I have a "group" on facebook called Dead Poets Society where we post poems and discuss poetry- you have to ask to join but i accept everyone.

Re: Pebbles by the Gate

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:50 pm
by Cate
comment from the first poem :)

Love the visuals here. It's fluid, I followed along easily with no snags and felt very much part of what I was reading. I very much liked your use of the hat, it was a nice twist at the end.

Congrats on your book!
I look forward to reading more of your work here.