Saturday, August 31, 2013

When it's the real thing


I'd like to buy 
the world a poem 
for all 365 days, I
will not keep it 
company but will 
let it tumble, rip, 
crash, hobble, run,
slam, burst as autumn 
red leaves drifting by 
the river canal, falling 
over bridges & archways
until the verses settle down:  
a torchlight, bell, majestic river.

I'd like to give the world a view:

happiness, not bought & sugared,
nor snowed white as turtle doves
but simple yellow morning bloom.
Then I'd teach the world to sing  
in perfect harmony with trees, 
with each fading leaf color and 
passing clouds. Because there's a
poem to be found even in empty
road, lonely mountain, rainy days,
rusted can, or walking hand in hand.
Life tastes good when you keep it real. 

Picture credit:  Daaynos


Posted for D'verse Poets Pub ~  Poetics by Brian Miller ~ I have used an old Coke commercial (I'd like to teach the world to sing) as a framework for my poem ~  I have been away on business conference in the beautiful Ottawa city this week so it's nice to write again ~ Thanks for the visit.
Shared with Poets United ~

49 comments:

  1. Oh, I really love this, Grace, starting with the shape. For sure better to have it REAL rather than something created by advertising sloguns. Like the last line & agree with it: "Life tastes good when you keep it real."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahh.. love the rusted can and hand in hand... so great in reference to Coca Cola... yes this was a great poem (and I hate the taste of Coke nowadays.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great use of the form for this beautiful poem Grace! "happiness, not bought & sugared" - I like this line.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ha. great play of i's like to buy the world a coke...what a cool song that was eh? i think a poem would do it good as well....nice work in of the shape too...mmm life does taste good like that eh? very cool take grace....

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is amazing, Grace... love the shape, the message, the words. Hope you have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ha - def. keep it real - coke or not - smiles... cool message grace

    ReplyDelete
  7. This may have been the very first hippy ad! I sang with it, oh gosh. You put it to much better use here. Great trashed can pic too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. haha nice rift indeed at your sea, the shape makes it all the better

    ReplyDelete
  9. Here a good example of taking a slogan and adding so much to it. I really enjoyed this, Grace. Now, just do it!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Doubly-clever both in message and shape, kudos for this one, Grace. I love the concept, and the salute to poetics is heartfelt & as accurate as mortar on bricks; a grand take, a masterful job; thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Life taste good when you keep it real"- beautifully done. Serene imagery and a really good lesson to become one with nature and enjoy life as it is.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Doubly-clever indeed! I would like to teach the world to sing in your way too!
    Anna :o]

    ReplyDelete
  13. this is brilliant
    and truly the first slogan that popped into my mind
    "I'd like to teach the world"

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love it all, the shape and the whole reference to coke and the song. Nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Grace, I enjoyed this one and the design is great now I want a diet coke.

    ReplyDelete
  16. how the H-E-double-hockey-sticks did you make a bottle of the form while keeping true to the spirit of the write? Hope you have a great weekend, Grace ~ M

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw someone doing this so I just followed the shape and used my own words ~ Its fun to do shaped poems ~ Thanks M ~

      Delete
  17. Wow, this is really beautiful, nicely passed, I love ..until the verses settle down... the whole poem is Really imaginative!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very innovative, Grace! Love the visual effect of the coke bottle. It sets the mood to follow through on the coke theme! Nicely!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great play on the old commercial. Loved it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. 'there's a poem to be found..." Love that line.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Even the shadow of a humble flower and a softening layer of rust, cannot wash away the thoughts of the damaging effects of the contents of that crumpled can.
    Teaching the world to sing... the presumption of it.


    Much prefer your eloquent and uplifting suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This definitely was one of my favorite poems written for the 'slogan challenge.' I enjoyed a second read, Grace.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So many slogans!! Most of them I don't even recognise. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. this is really beautiful. loved the real happiness.

    ReplyDelete
  25. "Life tastes good when you keep it real."

    thirst quenched.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The well-known words to the coke jingle are given a fresh start in your poem, Grace.

    ReplyDelete
  27. perfect idea for a poem Grace. beautiful...I really enjoy your poetry!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is awesome grace. What an artist you are. Glad you're writing again.

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is a great riff off the commercial with a MUCH BETTER message! Love the shape too, which I only became aware of as I realized what I was reading. Pretty cool!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Just love this Grace! What a lovely message for the world.

    ReplyDelete
  31. These are wonderful wishes, nice work Grace!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Grace, you handled this so deftly and perfectly. I loved the Coke commercial tie-in. So I get to blame you when I can't get that tune out of my head this evening...right? :) I loved this poem.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Lovely, witty, last line sounds like hope...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ooh I love this, especially the first verse. All the things you'll let it do, coupled with red autumn leaves- it's beautiful memorable writing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Give it Grace! There is poetry in everything. God knows how easy that is to forget when mired in a colorless clueless world.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Grace, very well done piece here. I love the way it flows and the last line is unforgettable. Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Pleasant flowing poem here. Esp. with the pic all faded can, what a find.
    Graceful write just like you. The real thing!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Very deftly handled, Grace. I don't drink Coke but have to say that it has great ad campaigns - and you've turned them on their head in a wonderful way. Thanks. k.

    ReplyDelete
  39. A wonderful weaving of familiar lyrics and themes, and fit to the image - amazingly good.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Coke may rot your teeth and your guts but it tastes great especially laced with rum!:)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Oh my gosh, Grace, this just made it into my top five of yours!! I love how you did this. I was humming the song in my head as I read this. Of course I'm drinking my Coke too. =)

    Have a beautiful week, my friend!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your version of the song is way more beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is wonderful, Grace. I love its shape and message.

    ReplyDelete

I try my best to reciprocate comments and visits.
I allow anonymous comments if you have difficulty posting them. Thank you & have a good day!!!