Saturday, April 13, 2013

A street poem

I walk on the street,
the sky is caught between grey &
faint blue pages-

It is mid-April, 
the city stores are selling spring 
colored shoes & clothes,

I imagine would be great
if I am going to Italy or Jamaica
for week of summer fun & escape 

But I am working this summer
and saving money for a college plan-
As I trudge & sit in the red bus 

I start thinking of lines to write - 
-Where the sea meets my toes, like an inkwell- 
-Where a narrow road leads to a Gothic tower-  

But they all end up with this orange,  round & firm 
in my hand.   So, I peel it slowly like a book.  
It tasted sweet, like the sun.      



Toronto City
Picture credit:   here

Posted for:   Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Inspired by writings of Billy Collins - Accessible Poetry 

36 comments:

  1. I think you've really captured the essence of Collins in your poem. Good job!

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  2. You have captured something of Collins' poem in the making themes. The scene is very well-described and takes the reader along.

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    1. Thank you Kerry ~ His poems are an inspiration ~

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  3. Simple really simple...shows sometimes how much we miss out in the present dwelling in the past and planning for future...how much we we miss...like the round sweet orange. Correct me Grace! if I have read this wrong...

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    1. It is fine Akila ~ Collins poetry is about the everyday, what we and find in our lives ~ Thank you ~

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  4. Great images and pictures that flood through the mind, excellent

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  5. I think this speaks to us...telling us to embrace the precious present.

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  6. Grace,
    Wonderful Collins-esque poem! I love how you describe the exterior scene, then bring the reader into the interior space. The orange at the end is perfect (and I laughed out loud at that street sign!)

    Thanks for playing!

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    1. Thank you for the wonderful post and challenge LM ~

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  7. really love Grace, and all would like to fly another site sometimes....

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    1. Flying away to somewhere warm would be good Gloria ~ Thank you ~

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  8. A lovely poem, I like the ordinary feel of it,,as it it could be something I was thinking and feeling,,,but it isn't of course, it's your special creative voice speaking and I enjoyed it very much. The last stanza stands out for me.

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  9. smiles...lovely grace....def enjoyed...and i understand on the summer...will be more schooling and additional work for me...i like it all ending with the orange as well...smiles. nice write

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  10. I especially love "I peel it slowly, like a book. It tasted sweet like the sun". Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Sherry ~ We have been eating these sweet oranges lately ~

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  11. I think you really have the essence of what the prompt is...
    and I love the orange ending ☺
    Peace
    Siggi

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    1. I read some of his poems and listened to the Ted Talk ~ Thank you for the visit ~

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  12. You have captured Billy Collins' style of writing so well. I love how you went from grey to orange. Beautiful work Grace.

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  13. Working you say, same boat at my bay. We all need to rob a bank, or just eat an orange haha

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  14. I want that book, lol
    Fun to read :D

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  15. You have channeled Mr. Collins ~~~ perfect!!

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  16. This is indeed "Everyday Amazing" and, as such, the sort of poem Billy Collins would be proud of.
    I love peeling the orange slowly like a book, so beautiful.
    K

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  17. How wonderful! I love the use of color throughout.

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  18. This is inspired!! Grace I love what you've done to an everyday moment!!

    This is my favorite, favorite:

    "the city stores are selling spring," the way you placed this makes it seem as if the stores are selling spring itself...I like that!!

    :) Great poem.

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  19. oh, Grace, i LURVE your last stanza here! simply love it. wow!

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