This Poem was Submitted By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2005-04-14 20:00:39 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Several Hours after the Death of a Salesman

Literati polish their wares into villanelles -  Nails disregarded for the sake of blood and rhyme. How the world turns; how the world whirls. At war, at breakfast, at attention: some, one, Even the black dog pulled from the lineup At the last moment, a bad neuron blamed. I visit a grave.  There is no one home. The calls go unanswered.  The dogs bark. They run through fields after themselves. When we are gone they will feel well.  More than well. Now it is time for poetry.   That weird word world –  Exhausting.  It was time to go. And thus, he went.  As they all do. As we all must. No more leash.   No more collar. No - a beginning, not an end. In Rome they seek another. The dog must come home with a bone. All the gods are betting on the dogs. They knew, too. So do you. How little time for you to act. And so they vote; smoke signals The ebbing tide, the moonless night; And so little's right in the wierd little world. That knocking at the door again - They keep ignoring the signs Keep pushing, knocking, scratching at the door. It never ends.   Beautiful. Intangible as a star.

Copyright © April 2005 Thomas Edward Wright


This Poem was Critiqued By: Helen C DOWNEY On Date: 2005-05-04 08:08:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.68000
Thomas, Excellent imagery! Great flow of words that make you think beneath the surface of things. One of my favorite lines: 'I visit a grave. There is no one home.' I would answer to this, Yes there is but they aren't talking! The dogs know they are there, it drives them crazy. The other favorite line is: 'The ebbing tide, the moonless night;And so little's right in the wierd little world.' Well poets are dark in their way of thinking. Such a fitting line. The last stanza is superb! It really doesn't end does it! Thanks for sharing your masterpiece! Helen


This Poem was Critiqued By: Audrey R Donegan On Date: 2005-05-01 00:04:06
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.26087
'that weird word world' - :) and I love: 'all the gods are betting on the dogs' Your last lines bring it all together 'It never ends. Beautiful. Intangible as a star.' Exquisite, truely. Audrey
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Steven Scheffer On Date: 2005-04-20 15:38:21
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
HoHo, Every now and then I read something here or there ( I piss on trees all over the place) that will actually inspire me . . . with my metal lung and all. On those rare ocassions I think of writing again. I remember . . . I feel like that kid in Lord of the Flies, who, when they were rescued, could only remember a word or two from . . . The Lord's Prayer ? . . . Long live the ? . . . Anyway, this vaguely reminds me of when I was sentient. And could recite things that had meaning. You've outdone yourself, Thomas. Outdoubted us all again. And I do believe it matters, somewhere. Noxie
This Poem was Critiqued By: Rachel F. Spinoza On Date: 2005-04-19 17:12:56
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
so they vote; smoke signals The ebbing tide, the moonless night; --------- And so they did, God help us, one and all. fine title fine poem sad little spinning world
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2005-04-15 18:38:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.50000
t. Certainly an interesting way/metaphor as the college of cardinals prepares for their confab, schmoozing(?), and the trusty smoke to announce the papacy continues. It's nice to have other countries represented in the Vatican, not soley the Italians, and this Polish guy was quite well-loved. BTW, I forgot to mention that I like your title to this piece. I better get some catharsis, hear? The 4th tercet made me smile my wicked Melliferous smile. Especially favored is: "Now it's time for poetry. That weird word world." And don't you just love it? I do! You take us to a place of resonance, collar aside, but its notion never far away, and the obvious but always forgotten: "How little time for you to act" echoes around the room. The ballot segues to the announcement, the ebbing tide, the moonless night; And so little's right in the weird little world. "It never ends. Beautiful. Intangible as a star." Lovely use of words to finish poem but liguistry is one of your strong suits as is eccentricity. This is a catharsis for me as you raise the curtain in wise and magical form. One of your finest moments, literately or otherwise. We expect only the best from you. MWM
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-04-15 13:40:10
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.00000
Poet, I have read this over and over.......and I cannot give more then a personal reflection on the structure, word flow, images, emotions, feelings associated with the passing of our Holy Father and the choice of his successor.........at least this is what I received as I read. Thank you for posting and sharing. God Bless, Claire My Godmother just passed and as she laid dying she said to me.......the Pope is coming to get her........she passed of the same sickness and was 84 years old..........dying is the closing of one door and the opening of another, a better place with all the love, peace and joy you would ever want......thanks be to God.......
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