I didn't think I had a poem that fit this prompt, but I had a vague idea for one. Then I remembered I actually do have one. But this is the one that I just wrote today from the vague idea. Perhaps I'll post the other one later. This was inspired by the blog in which I'm writing a sort of,idiosyncratic history of jazz in the 1950s and 60s through the prism of Prestige Records. I realized that in three consecutive blog entries, I'd written about guy's who had gotten out of the jazz life to go into a more secure line of work. So here's the poem:
CHOOSING SECURITY
George Wallinton played in Dizzy's first bebop combo on 52nd Street
in 1960 he gave up jazz, went home to Florida, joined
the family business installing air conditioners. Wendell
Marshall played with Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Milt Jackso, Gerry
Mulligan, gave it up, went back to St. Louis, started his own
insurance agency. Teddy Charles played swing, played bebop, played
the far out stuff, played with Miles, with Mingus, with Wardell
Gray, gave it up to get his captain's papers, skipper a charter
skipjack on Long Island Sound, in the Caribbean. Which would you choose?
How many of us have done that? Not taken the dangerous path and stayed secure. For women, it mostly happens when you have children. Their security comes first. As always, awesome poetry.
Growing up, I always climbed trees. I felt safe among the branches, their security held me well, they embraced me with their strength. I did not fear falling nor did I ever because the branches held me tight.
Later on when I tried new things. I felt secure knowing I was safe because the branches would hold me even if there were no trees for I could feel their strength even though they were far away.
Trees are special. I feel secure when I look out of my window at a tree standing nearby, a sentinel to my dwelling place, embracing me with those branches that have always held me tight.
I, too, used to climb trees and spend hours hiding. I'd take a book and find a crook in the tree and read. I never thought about them embracing me, as my parents never did. I love this. Very nice.
I love this too. I also was a tree climber. Vinnie and I used to climb the chestnut tree in the backyard and hide for hours. I also never thought of it as an embrace as Victoria said, our parents never did.
When I thought about the theme I remembered how I felt about trees and the words flowed easily into this poem. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I had a roof over my head, food enough to eat, but I lived in fear for my life. "You'd better not come home pregnant, or I will kill you." "If you tell anyone that I beat you, I shall ring your neck!" Security as a child, was empty as a dried up creek bed.
Later on in life, I had a roof over my head and food enough to eat but, I lived in fear for my soul. "No birth control for you! We're a Catholic family." (eight pregnancies later) "But, one more will kill me..." I plead from my heart. Well, would you rather see us in Hell?" He throws his poison dart. Security with husband one, father and spouse neither was fun...
Then came someone with nothing to offer! He held my hand all around the United States of Highways. "You're my equal", he told me, "my partner, my life." "I can't offer much security but, will you be my wife?" I laughed when I told him...
There was a time, I was nesting treasures and wearing braids with dreams of security. I learned it was just stains on the bed sheets, that won't come out... lollipops that monsters grab from little children who cannot defend themselves... And lies like knives that dig and jab... I'd rather have love than security, I'd rather have reality!
The last stanza is incredibly powerful! I like the poem overall, but that one just stands out. "I learned it was just stains on the / bed sheets, that won't come out..."
I think this is a super powerful poem, and I thank you so much for this poignant sharing. I believe that security is found in love. You did find it and that is special!
Interesting take on the subject. I'm not exactly sure of your message here. You seem to lean toward sarcasm which I appreciate greatly (when I'm chasing my dream / with watered down zeal) but then the ending is seems to go in a different direction. So good to see you contributing every week!
It is good to have a good start, and that is what you have affirmed here. I am interested in your take on the subject. It seems to echo the way men think, and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.
I didn't think I had a poem that fit this prompt, but I had a vague idea for one. Then I remembered I actually do have one. But this is the one that I just wrote today from the vague idea. Perhaps I'll post the other one later. This was inspired by the blog in which I'm writing a sort of,idiosyncratic history of jazz in the 1950s and 60s through the prism of Prestige Records. I realized that in three consecutive blog entries, I'd written about guy's who had gotten out of the jazz life to go into a more secure line of work. So here's the poem:
ReplyDeleteCHOOSING SECURITY
George Wallinton played
in Dizzy's first bebop
combo on 52nd Street
in 1960 he gave
up jazz, went home
to Florida, joined
the family business
installing
air conditioners. Wendell
Marshall played with Ellington,
Coleman Hawkins,
Milt Jackso, Gerry
Mulligan, gave it up,
went back to St.
Louis, started his own
insurance agency. Teddy
Charles played swing,
played bebop, played
the far out stuff,
played with Miles, with
Mingus, with Wardell
Gray, gave it up
to get his captain's papers,
skipper a charter
skipjack on Long Island
Sound, in the Caribbean.
Which would you choose?
How many of us have done that? Not taken the dangerous path and stayed secure. For women, it mostly happens when you have children. Their security comes first. As always, awesome poetry.
DeleteWell done, well thought out, interesting interpretation. thanks!
DeleteVery interesting poem. We all have choices and to take the easy path is not always really the easiest way to go.
DeleteGood choices for security, Tad. I enjoyed your poem very much.
Deletewow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Powerful poem!
ReplyDeleteThe Security of Trees
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, I always climbed trees.
I felt safe among the branches,
their security held me well,
they embraced me with their strength.
I did not fear falling nor did I ever
because the branches held me tight.
Later on when I tried new things.
I felt secure knowing I was safe
because the branches would hold me
even if there were no trees
for I could feel their strength
even though they were far away.
Trees are special. I feel secure
when I look out of my window
at a tree standing nearby,
a sentinel to my dwelling place,
embracing me with those branches
that have always held me tight.
I, too, used to climb trees and spend hours hiding. I'd take a book and find a crook in the tree and read. I never thought about them embracing me, as my parents never did. I love this. Very nice.
DeleteI love this too. I also was a tree climber. Vinnie and I used to climb the chestnut tree in the backyard and hide for hours. I also never thought of it as an embrace as Victoria said, our parents never did.
DeleteThanks, I think we have lots in common.
DeleteWhen I thought about the theme I remembered how I felt about trees and the words flowed easily into this poem. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteLike this one. Pantoum really packs a punch, makes the feeling grow.
ReplyDeleteI had a roof over my head,
ReplyDeletefood enough to eat, but
I lived in fear for my life.
"You'd better not come home
pregnant, or I will kill you."
"If you tell anyone that I
beat you, I shall ring your neck!"
Security as a child, was empty
as a dried up creek bed.
Later on in life,
I had a roof over my head
and food enough to eat but,
I lived in fear for my soul.
"No birth control for you!
We're a Catholic family."
(eight pregnancies later)
"But, one more will kill me..."
I plead from my heart.
Well, would you rather
see us in Hell?" He throws
his poison dart.
Security with husband one,
father and spouse
neither was fun...
Then came someone with nothing to offer!
He held my hand all around
the United States of Highways.
"You're my equal", he told me, "my partner,
my life." "I can't offer much security
but, will you be my wife?"
I laughed when I told him...
There was a time, I was
nesting treasures and wearing braids
with dreams of security.
I learned it was just stains on the
bed sheets, that won't come out...
lollipops that monsters grab from
little children who cannot defend themselves...
And lies like knives that dig and jab...
I'd rather have love than security,
I'd rather have reality!
The last stanza is incredibly powerful! I like the poem overall, but that one just stands out. "I learned it was just stains on the / bed sheets, that won't come out..."
DeleteI think this is a super powerful poem, and I thank you so much for this poignant sharing. I believe that security is found in love. You did find it and that is special!
DeleteThis is a very power packed poem! The pantoum really does it justice. I love the last stanza. It really works!!!
ReplyDeleteI choose security
ReplyDeleteI've got a right
I'm a middle aged male
I don't have to fight
I have rights
that some don't get
because of all the people
who aren't free yet
I'm secure
with my bland domain
If you ask me
I think its all the same
Why would I worry
how you feel
when I'm chasing my dream
with watered down zeal
Those who have
are more prone to fun
they don't care about others
when it's all said and done
Secure your own place
and latch it tight
because being secure
is a constant fight
Be secure in your
mind and heart
and love one another
that's a pretty good start
Interesting take on the subject. I'm not exactly sure of your message here. You seem to lean toward sarcasm which I appreciate greatly (when I'm chasing my dream / with watered down zeal) but then the ending is seems to go in a different direction. So good to see you contributing every week!
DeleteVictoria, I did want to go in another direction, I just did it rather clumsily. Thank you for the nice comment.
DeleteIt is good to have a good start, and that is what you have affirmed here. I am interested in your take on the subject. It seems to echo the way men think, and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWith the political issues on guns you really rang the bell loud and clear!! I feel like everyone else, this is a very powerful poem!
ReplyDelete