“Silver Spoons on Blue Painted Wood” by Jeanne Illenye
charmed existence
unknowingly blind
life of privilege
deaf ear to the din
prefers listening to
his own heartbeat
vast multitudes
outside his ken
unexperienced in
the best parts of life
never measured by
struggle or sacrifice
nothing of exigent
panic or pain ever
reared in his heart
moves through life
with a light stepping
head in the clouds
hand sewn haberdash
dressing insouciance
nothing to pray for
and no one to feel for
a man some might say
who has everything
not least of which is
my pity or is it my scorn
From my book Onionskin
Many roam the earth unaware of their good fortune. Your poem really captures the hollowness of that way of life. Well done and I love the painting, thought it was a photo at first. Great pairing of the painting with your piece.
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thank you for kind words, janni
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The Aristocracy and the Proletariat exist in every generation, simply wearing different uniforms . . .
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channeling Herr Marx? – despite its lefty look, I was trying distinguish moreso the souled from soulless than the haves from have nots
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An educational slant for one such as me born not quite in poverty but not that far off…I shall count myself as a lucky man who worked hard for everything I now have…thought provoking poem yet just having re-read your book ‘City of Pawns’ (bloody good read by the way) your skills with the pen serve to amaze – Pilings, page 289 a particular favourite by the way.
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glad you like city of pawns – it has a lot of early, even immature stuff – I, too, sprang from such humble roots – as I came to achieve my own success, I met more than a few characters with this profile
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I think it is the better route to success…one appreciates it more than having everything on a plate
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Calling others hollow is just another form of vanity….
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you might be correct – perhaps as with unsolicited assertions of judgment
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Christ Himself called the Pharisees “white walled sepulchres”.
So there is clearly no issue with proclaiming a truth, but we aren’t to throw insults around. We must be careful with our words, and be just, kind, and forgiving in all things.
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A poetry dense at heart to show how hollow the roots can be. Simply loved it.
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your kind words are greatly appreciated
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Marvelous title and picture of silver spoons. Your words spill out an apt portrait of having everything and nothing at all.
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I love the way you put that
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I liked it. The language was well worked as always, but I feel it could have benefited from the use of punctuation to guide the reader through your thoughts.
Though I know your stance on this practice in poetry, I am wondering only that it may be used on occasion to help others when you are writing a poem so grounded in personal opinion – where they need guidance for your (and their) sake.
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I prefer the reader imagine punctuation according t their their own interpretation
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Yes, I remember you saying something similar when I asked 🙂
This is the section I would consider needing punctuation. In the original it reads as if it could either be him or the multitudes who lack experience, but I’ve written it out here as to be he who is “unexperienced”.
“Vast multitudes outside his ken. Unexperienced in the best parts of life…”
Do you see my concern?
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I do – your punctuated interpretation makes sense
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To clarify, I don’t mean to be rude at all, just want to offer my thoughts 🙂
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