Dahlias on Bonham Street

[dcmarti1]

There are tides and shores,
but no cherry blossoms;
there are rocks and moss,
but no tourists in paddle-boats.
Enid has no garden here,
but Nelda has a stage.
Some lawns have fences,
but some do not.
Yes, the children jump ditches
on their bicycles,
with loose and stray dogs
on the chase but not the attack.
There are no brownstones,
no front stoops,
but some neighbors have chickens.
Walking anywhere is
a walking nightmare.
No, there are no cherry blossoms,
no paths smeared with the redolence
of pink and white suicides.
Yes, much is lacking and different,
but if the Saints are kind
there will always be -I pray!-
the dahlias on Bonham Street.

[Benjamin]

Great imagery that reminds me in a way of "The Last Picture Show." "There are no brownstones, no front stoops, but some neighbours have chickens." Juxtaposes particularly well with your summation of the last four lines. A reminder perhaps that every desert has oases, where those little things that lift the spirit, become more clear and valued.

[dcmarti1]

You get a gold star, O student of poetry, for your last sentence. I was hoping that would come through. I did just change "tenderness" to "suicides", because the blossoms DO fall off the trees and COVER the area around the Tidal Basin in DC. And, yeah, "suicides" is more dramatic. ;)

 

Thanks again.....

 

 

 

Great imagery that reminds me in a way of "The Last Picture Show." "There are no brownstones, no front stoops, but some neighbours have chickens." Juxtaposes particularly well with your summation of the last four lines. A reminder perhaps that every desert has oases, where those little things that lift the spirit, become more clear and valued.

[badger11]

Very much enjoyed this Marti. I like a plain statement.

 

 

but some neighbors have chickens.

 

Just love a line like that.

 

cheers

 

Phil

[dcmarti1]

Thanks, Phil. I am trying to work through frustration and (a little) resentment, so I needed something plain, direct. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

 

Very much enjoyed this Marti. I like a plain statement.

 

 

but some neighbors have chickens.

 

Just love a line like that.

 

cheers

 

Phil

[dr_con]

This, in my humble opinion, (IMHO) is sheer genius. The sights the sounds the smells, all there. I was transported, and yet remained 'here.' Well, well done. My favorite -- in quite awhile.

 

Many, many Thanks!

 

Juris

[dcmarti1]

And many thanks to you, too. I am glad it "transported" you. :)

 

This, in my humble opinion, (IMHO) is sheer genius. The sights the sounds the smells, all there. I was transported, and yet remained 'here.' Well, well done. My favorite -- in quite awhile.

 

Many, many Thanks!

 

Juris