This Poem was Submitted By: cheyenne smyth On Date: 2011-03-10 11:16:03 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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House of Stone

On my early morning walk the light was filled with silver beads just before the mist turned to golden  fingers of dawn I spied a stone house it wasn’t the house that caught my eye but the stooped old man on the porch His cloudy opaque eyes stared without seeing how the rise of sun chose purple and mauve to announce its morn Around the small house of stone a profusion of wild brambles and verdant lichen hung A few wild flowers drooped and yet groped for rain His blind eyes  saw not their thirst while a small breeze  toyed with his white hair With broken strings that held dust I noticed a banjo propped against the stone It wasn’t the banjo that spoke to me but the old man’s hands that danced as if keeping time The poetry of his fingers, silently strumming and waiting found their sightless way nevertheless

Copyright © March 2011 cheyenne smyth


This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2011-03-16 02:45:58
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Cheyenne, I always know ahead tf hat your poetry is going to be something very special and I read twice in order to give justice to a poem a proper critique. In this piece you have incorporated your stunning imagery once again yet I did hesitate with the order of your verses. The first verse is excellent noting beauty of a morning stroll, really seeing it with good eyes that appreciate the view. Then you move on to the old man who is stooped not able to appreciate the view in holding a rhyme stooped/drooped. This picture is clear with chosen words of he is aged, he is blinded by the morning beauty, but their was life before with music, banjo - and this is where I failed to r recognize the message of this piece. It drifts for me here, his hands are dancing, keeping time? time of the past? of what was before in his life - or am I reading to much and the depth is throwing me off? Along with the ending he seems alive again. Could it be the verse placement may enhance this piece and tighten up a well written poem. These are only my thoughts and if I've misunderstood I need to be enlightened. Blessings, Deni


This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2011-03-12 14:14:25
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Cheyenne, a marvelous effort. The descriptions, the characters; of house, brambles and man- all a marvelous effort. Beginning with the “silver beads” and “morning walk” we walked along with you seeing what you saw. The house with the “verdant lichen” and the man with “opaque eyes” is an amazing look into the world, as it is onto the porch. When you give to us the “sightless way” your metaphor to sight and vision creates an atmosphere of hearing; we can hear the banjo play. This is an amazing piece. A work such as this makes me glad I come by for a visit.
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