Poem Number 23077

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Sidney Stine

the shotgun-saw-cane
doesn't thump or scuff,
but lands smooth and light,
varnished and deep as the surface of a brown lake
when he walks stooped and silent
into a new place,
the smell of stranger hanging him without a trial,

until he speaks,

for a minute if you leave or hours if you'll listen,
he leans and squints and comes to life
from death to song to story,
and a word or two hooks them,
makes them stop and remember
to forget ages and places and purpose,
to see families and friends and fires
behind his squinted eyes
and inside their own,
clamoring to become his friend

he comes and goes like a neighbor,
sits and eats like a king,

he dances and prays
learning new names, forgetting his stoop and his cane,
his beard a bit messy, his nails a bit yellowed,
he sees more than they think he can hear

and they think they have saved him,
or healed him at least,
with patience and listening ears,
maybe,
he smiles,,
as he walks away slowly, knowing he healed them much more
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For me to comment on one of your poems might seem a tad redundant, however given the context of this particular piece, I felt obliged. With this, you've said all I would want to say...you beat me to the punch. This is descriptive writing at its best. Consider this poem a vote of mine for the book. -J
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thanks J, i appreciate all your comments. I'd like you to write one about this too, however you think of him...
)K
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I don't understand what a "tad redumdant" means. It sound snotty but I don't know cause I don't know what it means.
Anyway, I love the poem.
sg
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Kaleb, I sense in you, a humility and kindness that many do not have. You seem to appreciate "comments" and, yet, be able to take or leave them as you disciminate. It is a pleasure to comment on your poems because one is not afraid of snobbishness or deceit.
sg
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To everyone, I didn't mean to be rude or snoobish to Kaleb. I was only pointing out that it must feel like I comment on everyone of his poems, and it must seem like I comment for comment sake. However, being such a big fan of his work I feel I must leave tid bits even if it means always putting my two cents in. Sorry for any confusion. I have great respect for his work. By the way, the poem made my mom cry Kaleb. -J
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J, thanx for explaining. I understand now. I haven't noticed any redundancy in your comments.
sg
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this is fantastic "or a minute if you leave or hours if you'll listen,"
maybe a little abstract for my tastes but i feel what you're saying.
raul

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Thanks raul!
)K