Sunday, February 16, 2014

Northern Quarter


Random faces on the street
one could be yours. 
I shut my eyes, count to a thousand.
Voices within earshot take me to sleep. 

The door is unlocked.
Windows near the fire escape open
just enoughnot from forgetfulness,
but for a drawbridge.

A welcome note waits in the hall,
a second in the kitchen
short sentences made to measure,
emphasis on the penultimate. 

The words work overtime,
call your name above the city
come a great distance
to find you.


tk/ February 2014


Gorgeous read by R.A.D. Stainforth... 



31 comments:

  1. And who wouldn't love to be found by these words?

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  2. Oh, you captured the moment! I see all details you described! Sorry, the window shut enough to keep RAD invisible :)xx

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    Replies
    1. I think I've convinced him to reappear next week...

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  3. I love reading everyone's different takes on the prompt; each one very different, and each one filled with unique insights. I think I will learn much about not only writing poetry, but writing in general by being a part of this. Thank you for your lovely and unique offering, Tess. And thank you for including me.

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  4. Does sound welcoming... I think the words did a fine job.

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  5. I'd love to follow notes leading to my sweetie

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  6. ah yes. the words we hold open for others. Those we leave lying around the house, waiting.

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  7. i like the idea of the drawbridge..x

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  8. So much longing--and hope--in the act of shutting one's eyes and counting, counting, counting... "to a thousand."

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  9. Nice to find notes and I like the image of a drawbridge..cool..

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  10. Replies
    1. You quit that howling down there and go back to bed!

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  11. I like the idea of someone waiting on a lover and leaving the door ajar, the notes in place the anticipation is lovely!

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  12. Life within that apartment. Lively, well lived.

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  13. I like the idea of words working overtime! You had an open door - a drawbridge- my was firmly shut!

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  14. Is a message more with the sender or the hearer? Does it matter, when a poem is as pleasing as this one is?

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  15. "...a drawbridge." That is what this poem is, too, from you to your readers. Wonderful drawbridge.
    Great reading from R.A.D. and I rather liked, for a change, the video image matching the prompt image.

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  16. Like all good Indian girls, did you come as a Raven ?
    Cheers Mate

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  17. A subtle invitation, with notes left like breadcrumbs to a secret lover. I like it!! Well done, Tess.

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  18. Love the notion of a drawbridge ...

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  19. "And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be...."

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    1. "Say it soft and it's almost like praying..."

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  20. I just know he's on his way!

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  21. Thanks for your kind and generous words, dear readers...

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  22. I hope his feet passed over the drawbridge.

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  23. So very fitting, Tess! Even with invisible RAD! I've really enjoyed this weeks' entries - a lot of rereads!

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  24. Looks just like my old apartment in San Francisco Tess even the fire escape and windows! My mother passed away so I will not write this week even though you picked a color photo and I did notice! I will be back next week as I enjoy this weekly write and all of my friends from it each week! Right now my words are very negative as you probably could guess.

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    Replies
    1. So sorry to hear this Bekkie...sending gentle thoughts...

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  25. beautiful piece of composition, Tess... Loved reading it.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)