deepundergroundpoetry.com
Wayward Poets
Someone goes out early, every morning
to make sure that the welcome mat
is free of leaves
Or during winter, of snow
There's a key, under the mat, but
the door has never been locked
There's always someone
coming or going
To this old, white concrete house
atop the edge of a cliff
-Looks like a fingernail at the end
of a crackled finger
of the old man mountain
Pointing down towards the valley
Those that look up, thinking
is it choosing me
But it's not a path
for the weak hearted
A spiraling gravel road
cuts through rock and forest,
leads up the mountain
The house is alone,
the only destination
As the curious meander upwards
by car or by foot
Easy to miss the place, in winter
if the snow is thick, and at dusk
But fire-glow illuminates the windows
like an oven baking bread
in its womb
and we are pulled towards it
Our eyes telescoping until they water
like our mouths
Inside, a makeshift bar
mostly coffee, but also tea
and whatever anyone has chosen to bring
or leave behind
Once they've accomplished something
worth taking back down, to town
A rough looking man pushes hard
as the front door harshly swings open
A few of the regulars giggle
knowing it's an easy access entrance
One of them asks him,
did his car make it up the road okay
He stares, a long second
and says "What road?"
A pleasant lady, Greta
leads him to the fireplace
Offers him coffee, and asks
if he needs a pen
He looks around, several tables
People, paper, pens...
A younger couple, acting like lovers
but too pretty to suffer the elements
to get here
They're sharing a cup of spearmint tea
and rubbing their pens together
between sentences
A table of older women
comparing stories aloud
more than writing anything down
Trading ideas, making up histories
But it's not like stealing memories
It's enhancing what's came to pass
for the all of them
And there's always Edward
who sits farthest
from the fireplace
because he can't write
if he's too content
But don't be fooled;
He's the rose that was born
closest to the thorns
back in the day
And he's still full of vigor
He's got to be seventy by now
Sitting at the dark table
burning his third candle tonight
He spends his thoughts
on creating animals
with the melted wax
And that little horde surrounds him
as he struggles to find words
to sneak onto the dancing shadows
created by candle and creature
that skitter across his paper
He did a book tour, back in '97
got a lover out of it
Who then left him
for a guy with a sailboat
So Edward stays far
high up, on land
Katie sits at the bar
writing nothing
She watches Oscar, at his hands
as he glides his pen
over the paper, like a light-pole
atop a street of snow
Oscar writes about Katie
But he never uses her name
Just her face for inspiration
As the fireplace illuminates
what he thinks
is the most beautiful thing
he's ever saw
Greta goes to the bar
for more coffee
Asks Katie for a favor;
"Can you take this over to Oscar?"
And even when standing, on two feet
it seems like Katie crawls, forever
The table of old ladies goes silent
As Edward forms some candle wax
into the shape of a heart
He pushes his pen
into the bottom of it
Makes a hole
He takes the heart over to Oscar
and tells him to give it to Katie
Maybe she'll like it
and put it on her own pen
Then Edward whispers to him
to stop stalling
Outside, down the mountain
there is a world, rushing
Trying to live, through
the peaces between wars
Complaining about neighbors
and traffic, and laws
And religions that counter
their own
Maybe they're each happy
once a week
Maybe never at all
Yet, thus, this home
away from disappointments
A place for wayward poets
Where four square walls
encircles all
Where time is only counted
by how many logs
we went through today
And by Edward's creations;
He makes a pretty good rose.
~~~
Published 27th Oct 2024
Author's Note
Dedicated to all who have the desire to write. Let it happen.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 9
reading list entries 7
comments 16
reads 209
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The author is looking for friendly feedback.
27th Oct 2024 1:18am
27th Oct 2024 2:14am
Thank you Fia! It's a bit drawn out, but I like doing my story-poems. It makes me happy!
Outstanding! Captivated by the details of the poets and the atmosphere
unfolding. Love your dedication.
Your poetry is worth the wait 😊
You might like Naajir's poem Vanguard.
unfolding. Love your dedication.
Your poetry is worth the wait 😊
You might like Naajir's poem Vanguard.
27th Oct 2024 2:20am
(I did indeed read and comment on Naajir's latest. He is one of my faves for good reason)
I enjoy writing. It's my woo-saw. But I also love reading. And I truly enjoy the camaraderie here. It's about encouraging one another to keep pursuing their dedication.
Thank you for your awesome comment. It helps keep me motivated.
I enjoy writing. It's my woo-saw. But I also love reading. And I truly enjoy the camaraderie here. It's about encouraging one another to keep pursuing their dedication.
Thank you for your awesome comment. It helps keep me motivated.
27th Oct 2024 1:32am
This gives me a cozy feeling. Especially the description of the fire-glow windows.
I could smell the bread baking!
Writing takes commitment and being at one with our thoughts.
Being inspired and surrounded by likeminded people gives its
own sort of encouragement to know
we are not in it alone. The way you expressed this felt like its own
society or fraternity of people.
Finding that one special place where you feel the energy in the air.
In a way feeding of that energy and using it to motivate you. It's like finding gold:)
This is a wonderful piece with all of its descriptions and characters! Where everyone is alike
but different colors. Like marbles in a DUP jar baby!
I love this!!
I could smell the bread baking!
Writing takes commitment and being at one with our thoughts.
Being inspired and surrounded by likeminded people gives its
own sort of encouragement to know
we are not in it alone. The way you expressed this felt like its own
society or fraternity of people.
Finding that one special place where you feel the energy in the air.
In a way feeding of that energy and using it to motivate you. It's like finding gold:)
This is a wonderful piece with all of its descriptions and characters! Where everyone is alike
but different colors. Like marbles in a DUP jar baby!
I love this!!
27th Oct 2024 2:26am
Oh, I was going to expand moreso on the descriptive individuality of the characters. But I also had to keep this write within a certain length . You know how i can ramble on! Lol.
We are all simply writers, looking for like minded people, yes? You said it all well. Because you're so frickin smart and so stinkin pretty!
Thank you my love. For lots of reasons.
We are all simply writers, looking for like minded people, yes? You said it all well. Because you're so frickin smart and so stinkin pretty!
Thank you my love. For lots of reasons.
27th Oct 2024 1:38am
Brilliantly written, Styxian. Into the list it belongs. Appreciate you.
DL
DL
27th Oct 2024 2:32am
27th Oct 2024 6:01am
I so like this write! It is like DUP is a physical place. I very much like the idea of everyone having actual pens and paper. Currently I am transferring my work from my phone to my journal with a dip pen- yep I am going back in time. I love the pace and methodical nature of writing with dip a fountain pens- the act of writing is in itself part of the process.
30th Oct 2024 1:27am
I'm glad that you enjoyed the write. Thanks letting me know.
And, how cool is that, you using the old school method to make copies. I have fallen way, way behind with making printed copies of my material. -Which is the one true guarantee that we will always have physical copies. I'm supposed to be compiling selections for my book. A certain someone is kicking my butt about it, and she's right. I procrastinate a lot. Oops!
And you are correct, in that handwriting tends to add some personality to our writes. It makes us more tangible, I think.
I appreciate your comment, and love the fact that you're partaking upon a truly classic approach to copying your own. Good luck!
And, how cool is that, you using the old school method to make copies. I have fallen way, way behind with making printed copies of my material. -Which is the one true guarantee that we will always have physical copies. I'm supposed to be compiling selections for my book. A certain someone is kicking my butt about it, and she's right. I procrastinate a lot. Oops!
And you are correct, in that handwriting tends to add some personality to our writes. It makes us more tangible, I think.
I appreciate your comment, and love the fact that you're partaking upon a truly classic approach to copying your own. Good luck!
27th Oct 2024 7:10pm
Dear S,
I really loved the feel of familiarity in this write. Unassuming, quiet, always welcoming with an air of nourishing creativity. The characters and subject matter throughout are so engaging and touching. Another beautiful story with great message. H🌷
I really loved the feel of familiarity in this write. Unassuming, quiet, always welcoming with an air of nourishing creativity. The characters and subject matter throughout are so engaging and touching. Another beautiful story with great message. H🌷
30th Oct 2024 1:33am
I was in the mindset of a group of writers from various lives, coming together for the sheer appreciation of creative writing. I've never done a writers group in person.etc. But it would be interesting. And I damn sure ain't ever doing a recital. Lol.
Thank you, H. For your encouraging words. I'm probably going on hiatus soon, but will try to comment here and there. There's several really good writers in here, and I hope all stick around .
That includes you!
Thank you, H. For your encouraging words. I'm probably going on hiatus soon, but will try to comment here and there. There's several really good writers in here, and I hope all stick around .
That includes you!
27th Oct 2024 7:47pm
This is beyond stunning. The imagery. The observations. The characters. It's all something otherworldly, Styxian. A world all poets crave. You've outdone yourself on this.
30th Oct 2024 1:40am
Well thank you so much for that, Tammy.
Is it otherworldly, though? It's possible that it can and does exist in some form or another. There's a club in Tampa (Florida) that does a writers group and readings etc. But, I don't think that I'd ever check it out. I'm actually quite private with my writing, in "real life". Maybe that will change.
In the meantime we have DUP. With so many various personalities and styles.
I just like to write. I'm rarely an actual poet. Lol.
And I appreciate the feedback. It keeps me striving to write well. So thank you!
Is it otherworldly, though? It's possible that it can and does exist in some form or another. There's a club in Tampa (Florida) that does a writers group and readings etc. But, I don't think that I'd ever check it out. I'm actually quite private with my writing, in "real life". Maybe that will change.
In the meantime we have DUP. With so many various personalities and styles.
I just like to write. I'm rarely an actual poet. Lol.
And I appreciate the feedback. It keeps me striving to write well. So thank you!
Anonymous
29th Oct 2024 5:30pm
This is great narrative writing with scene, and characters. You never disappoint with what you write.
Excellent job.
Excellent job.
30th Oct 2024 1:47am
Wow thank you so much for that.
I truly do look for interesting scenarios to write about. I feel that if we're going to post in public domains, then we should consider what would appeal to readers.
It keeps my mind broadened that way, too.
I think I'm taking a break from posting material for a bit. But I plan on popping in and commenting on some good stuff that I read. Including yours!
Thanks again for the positivity, Tim. It's very much appreciated.
I truly do look for interesting scenarios to write about. I feel that if we're going to post in public domains, then we should consider what would appeal to readers.
It keeps my mind broadened that way, too.
I think I'm taking a break from posting material for a bit. But I plan on popping in and commenting on some good stuff that I read. Including yours!
Thanks again for the positivity, Tim. It's very much appreciated.
