Rolling in mud and hay
I pluck them wayward green
Peel off their rough skin, thorns
Then polish them silver
Gleaming as my witch eyes
I curl their locks flowing
Swaddled in fur, mink, sheen
They preen cool and youthful
For Sale, I holler loud
Are you thirsty for fame
You want to be happy
Rich or snare someone’s heart?
Then listen good & well
Pay for these magic words
Wisdom and joy are yours
Be happy and admired
All the foolish lads came
All the broken-hearted
Girls and weeping ladies
All bought jars and boxes
of words I’ve caged like birds
Singing songs they want to hear
They’re scripted like pop songs
Branded hip, perfect lines
My pockets lined with coins
I go back fishing more
Only the poets know
As well as monks & nomads
Words are free, floating near
Rolling in mud or hay
Or dancing under trees
Believe in them and they’re
Yours to catch, potent as myrrh
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Meter-made Mood - Hosted by Victoria C. Slotto
I started with a short reaction to seeing magic potions and incantations for sale, but the words grew long and I couldn't stop myself. Anyway, hope to meet the bar, smiles~
Oh yes.. the poet knows how to sieve the words from the air.. free as dandelion fluff.. wonderful wisdom in the vain search for something you cannot find if you are looking.
ReplyDeleteAll bought jars and boxes
ReplyDeleteof words I’ve caged like birds
Singing songs they want to hear
This poem transported me back into medieval times, plopped me right into a marketplace in a Ken Follett novel. I found it jovial to use a sort of medieval term. What greater treasure than words, for us, at least?
Lovely. You transported me far away from my sofa and laptop!
ReplyDeleteIhear you at your typewriter..
ReplyDeleteWords are free, floating near
ReplyDeleteRolling in mud or hay
Or dancing under trees
Love the tone and mood of your poem, Grace :D
The cadence is beautiful. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Spot on, Grace. Words are the treasure which we seek. An abundance fills our coffers nicely!
ReplyDeleteLike me, your kinds of iambs varies, & wow, the length & word smithing
ReplyDeleteis impressive. As a kid, when told that someday I would have to pay for television service & drinking water, I would have thought you were daft.
I love this. It feels like one of the old fairy tales I used to love to read as a child...really fun, Grace.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing piece. The mood is a little haunting which I love.
ReplyDeleteMagic potions, wands, frogs!!!! they all seem so alluring and I guess each one of us secretly want to try them!!
ReplyDeleteAnd still their wares sell in the millions in some places. As always, thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteMy longest lived love--words, hard won but always won without fare or fee.
ReplyDeleteThey still get true believers and such, mind over matter I guess. Go placebo as the words sell away.
ReplyDeleteYour words formed a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteThe words are free, but oh yes, those words have great magic to them if wielded correctly!
ReplyDeletehis poem is full of Grace - i love it!
ReplyDeleteWow. You have to love a poem with poets, monks and nomads in it. I love this, Grace! And I love it when the poem takes over and writes itself like this! Love "words are free. Believe in them, and they're yours to catch."
ReplyDeleteI visualized many modern day psychics, tarot and palm readers as I read this. The sly insincerity barely hidden in the ominous trappings of divining for profit. Beautifully told.
ReplyDeleteOooooooh. "Potent as myth" and THIS:
ReplyDelete"All bought jars and boxes
of words I’ve caged like birds"
Goodness, Grace. I love this take. Your rhythm, the visuals of caging the birds, and selling them. Just too beautiful. (And somehow scandalous, yes? Taking these 'free' things and using and abusing them as we please, dolling them out to others to illicit certain feelings...I feel a little evil, knowing I do this.) ;)
Oh I love this piece! The words are free indeed, and as valuable as myrrh. Magic words -- uncage them and let the fly free! :) hmmmm as in uncage them from meter??? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, the voice and images you invoke are easy on the ears and eyes. The musical meter give this a lot of lift and spirit..another excellent poem, Grace.
ReplyDeleteLove this poem so much ... as I have been a monk (nun) and a nomad (roma) for many years ... ya ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHello Cat, so nice to see you here! I'm just doing my reading of poems today catching up with all of the people who were nice enough to read my work. Hope all is well with you! Hugs!
DeleteThis is wonderful! Words are everywhere to catch for free it's so true! Nice that someone is making money selling theirs. Lol!
ReplyDeleteEver the efficient fisherman of words you are!
ReplyDelete