This Poem was Submitted By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2004-06-27 08:35:06 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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After the Coda

        For Gary Wilmot            "protector of truth and justice               fallen by the cold reality                 of nature"                   He lives in a place where                     Ideas meet face to face:                     At the blunt end of phrase,                     Looking back upon itself,                      Forward into the next,                     Into the Future,                       Into Responsibility,                     Into Tomorrow.                     He governs that spot                       With an iron mind;                       Whips us with words                        And force of argument,                       Not mindless violence.                       His world matters.                        Honesty is the leader                       Of his valiant band.                        We are never quite                        As good as we are                        When he is leading                        The march, are we?                         He lives in that space where                         Ideals hang on walls,                            Where time meets form,                            Where imagery is born,                            Where the saddle meets the stately mane                         Of a long lean stallion clip-clopping home.                           Soon we’ll turn the boot in the stirrup.                             Soon we’ll burn another faggot on the fire.                             I know that he’d be concerned about why.                             Once again I’ll likely not have an answer.                            He made one think about wood; and yet                            About Would, that, I think, is his legacy.                                What would you do?                           That’s his cornet blaring in the distance.                             Ever forward, friend.  Ever forward.                                                     We will be there soon.  And over the                               Warm fire we will share an ale                               And begin again to tell the tale                               Of that space, just after the comma,                               Just before the next breath,                                There -                                            and then.

Copyright © June 2004 Thomas Edward Wright

Additional Notes:
To a remarkable human being in his time of pain. All the best, Gary.


This Poem was Critiqued By: Erzahl Leo M. Espino On Date: 2004-07-18 21:11:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Thomas, I just drop by to say how great this is! For me this is one of your best work (of course my favorite is still “martins”)! Pardon me for not critiquing this last month, I just can’t help not to comment…(it is better late than never). My vote was all in this one! Everything you did here is in high-caliber! From lyrics, subjects, metaphors, structure, they are all woven in one excellent pen. Everything is well posited! The message is so striking, unforgettable, inspiring! I know…that was your secret weapon, you were inspired by this “remarkable human being”, to Mr. Gary Wilmot. See, how a great poet released its full potential and can be inspired by such a great poet too! I am sure, Gary is very much delighted on the offering…this is too much from what he can expect…Brilliant! “He lives in a place where Ideas meet face to face: At the blunt end of phrase, Looking back upon itself, Forward into the next, Into the Future, Into Responsibility, Into Tomorrow.” --- Great intro! Profundity weighs is so heavy! Enjoyable! --- That last three “Into” is so creative! “He governs that spot With an iron mind; Whips us with words And force of argument, Not mindless violence.” --- The “w” alliteration adds beauty. --- Your superior imagination radiates! “His world matters. Honesty is the leader Of his valiant band. We are never quite As good as we are When he is leading The march, are we?” --- You simple truths are so striking! It keeps on pounding through my thoughts. “He lives in that space where Ideals hang on walls, Where time meets form, Where imagery is born, Where the saddle meets the stately mane Of a long lean stallion clip-clopping home.” --- Wow, incredible! How I wish I could write like this! :) “Soon we’ll turn the boot in the stirrup. Soon we’ll burn another faggot on the fire. I know that he’d be concerned about why. Once again I’ll likely not have an answer. He made one think about wood; and yet About Would, that, I think, is his legacy. What would you do?” --- Again, striking truths…that says a lot of Gary and you as a lyrical artist! That’s his cornet blaring in the distance. Ever forward, friend. Ever forward. We will be there soon. And over the Warm fire we will share an ale And begin again to tell the tale Of that space, just after the comma, Just before the next breath, There - and then. --- Awesome! Your words just can heal and sooth Gary’s pain. --- This is a wonderful dedication for a dear friend! You words just gave justice to his existence! Nothing I can add for this brilliant work! This is such a rare piece and I’m glad I was able to read it! Thanks Thomas for sharing your talent with us in TPL! Kudos and kudos! As always, Erzahl :)


This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2004-06-27 17:17:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.72222
Hi Tom, This poem brought tears to my eyes...After the Coda, but your kind and gentle words do not depict the end...they give hope for what lies beyond the last breath. I know you have seen a lot of death and dying in your profession and I hope when it is my time to make that journey there is someone like you sitting beside me saying such tender words to make me calm and not afraid. Your words will do just that for Gary. Amen....Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2004-06-27 17:13:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
T.: The few times I'm out of bed, I try to get the news and it's sad that Gary's time is short. He was the first member to point out my errors (which I thought were stern comments) but we e-mailed our disagreement to a melding of spirits, if not minds. Your first two stanzas bring those memories back and how he never held a grudge. Even after a meeting with his "iron mind", he was quick to e-mail and say he hoped he stepped on no one's toes. "His world matters. Honesty is the leader Of his valiant band As good as we are When he is leading The March, are we?" T.: your next two stanzas herald this remarkable man, his interest in music, peace, injustice, and his fearless approach to the world, no matter the darkness which tries to prevade us all. Your nine words following "What would you do?" are superlative. Your elegy stands with some of the finest written through the ages. "And begin again to tell the tale Of that space, just after the comma, Just before the next breath, There - and then." The artistry here brings tears. I did not care about your metaphors, litotes, allits... but instead, the message you tendered to Gary (and to anyone in that situation). Pathos of a genuine poet, a tenderness which has to be earned and learned over many years. We are learning a great deal about TEW when he writes of others or offers elegies such as these. Exquisite. Mell
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2004-06-27 15:42:49
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Tom: He lives in that space where Ideals hang on walls, Where time meets form, Where imagery is born, Where the saddle meets the stately mane Of a long lean stallion clip-clopping home. --wonderful Once again, your true nature is showing. This tender, truthful and visionary poem speaks volumes. You speak for all of us, I believe, of respect and admiration for Gary. Of wishing we could be more like him, and of liking him for himself and his warmth. We will be there soon. And over the Warm fire we will share an ale And begin again to tell the tale Of that space, just after the comma, Just before the next breath, There - I believe this, too -- we *will* share an ale. Perhaps our beliefs are not so far apart that we may yet share once more in the aferlife. The "There -" you write of is really there, where I'll meet you and Gary, Rachel, Mell, Rick, Jana, Brenda, and others someday, and to his great surprise, Mark S. "and then." Amen. As always, Joanne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Rachel F. Spinoza On Date: 2004-06-27 10:15:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Nobody says it better Amen
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