I choose to write this open letter to Brian and Claudia, who over time, has helped me emerge as a poet.
By the time you read it,
the envelope might already be opened.
Smell of handmade paper,
Diluted, the stamp
Washed – and
Post office seal – smudged
Won’t be freshly woven
old world charm,
Such joy letters were,
Weren’t they?
You showed me where poetry begins
That they have feet,
Walks past the backyard garden
Meets strangers in the city lights
Sips into earthy caffeine –
And those deep lust
Moments,
We paint red
Are as solemn as a
Platonic hand-holding
Stray emotions are not centerpiece
I’d have thought
Until, you showed me the bird
On my window,
Could
Give me wings
– a true confluence of
Randomness and pattern
Formed the cynosure
Of my world,
A continuum of harp and crooning
No, I am not writing a tribute,
Too lame for that
It’s a letter, to the world, open
Thought this might
Illustrate to
Wordsmiths
Poetry isn’t born
Where they see,
But where they don’t.
Join me on my own poetics prompt for Dversepoets. Happy writing.
This is a great and heart-felt letter, Abhra. I think my favorite stanza is the second one. It made me think of Claudia’s poetry.
Yes, Gabriella – many times I look back and amaze how her poetry made me see things as I see them today. I am indebted to her and Brian.
I really like the idea that the bird on your window could give you wings. Nicely stated. We can find poetry anywhere…even so close to home. And yes, poetry has feet. Smiles.
Love that ending!
Like Mary, my favorite lines are /until, you showed me the bird/on my window/could/give me wings/. This piece is both bang on for your prompt & a lovely tilt of the pen to Claudia & Brian. In the last several years I feel that I have attended a Master’s class in Poetry, thanks to them, & all the rest of we dVerse dogs that run in this international pack.
This shows how well you’ve learned from Brian and Claudia. I could taste bits of their work in yours, but still it’s yours, not theirs. Wonderful work, Abhra. And heartfelt.
I really like that second stanza. It is so cool thinking about poems having feet!
“Thought this might
Illustrate to
Wordsmiths
Poetry isn’t born
Where they see,
But where they don’t.”
What a beautiful and perfect reminder. Thank you!
Thank you Ginny – this is something specifically I learned from Brian and Claudia.
born in very quiet places… lovely
Your poetic “thank you” letter has wings and feet, which mentors helped you find 🙂
Your letter filled with beauty and is so heartfelt – lovely. And thank you for the prompt – it is fun to read other peoples mail 🙂
Your concluding lines said so much to me about the nature of poetry. Great letter Abhra.
I LOVE this and especially love it is addressed to Claudia and Brian, who so deserve much appreciation. I especially love the lines about seeing the bird on the window sill, and poetry being born, not where we see it, but where we dont. This is really brilliant, Abhra!
What a wonderful conclusion…poets reveal to the world what is as of yet unseen. Yes, Brian and Claudia have really helped us poets to grow!
You set the bar high with this one. I decided I need to bookmark it, since I have already read and enjoyed it 3 times. Very impressive. 🙂
a fine prompt, and a fine thankyou. I think I’ll revisit this form – my first attempt was not so strong, but I see the fine jobs everyone is delivering and it inspires me.
Nice one there, u rock the words.
I have nominated you for the WordPress Versatile Blogger Award, just click on the link for the prompt.
https://rythaephua25.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/the-versatile-blogger-award/
This was delicate and sensitive! A great way of expressing your gratitude.
I love the word choices in this….and the concept that poetry isn’t born where we see but where we don’t 🙂
So, so beautiful this one: a delicate balance, each word so exquisite and fitting, so many great lines, although the ones that resonated with me most (because that’s the way I feel too about Brian and Claudia’s work):
Stray emotions are not centerpiece
I’d have thought
Until, you showed me the bird
On my window,
Could
Give me wings
Oh, I just loved your last three lines!
You’ve managed to explain something to me by those lines. So I thank you 🙂
I also liked your letter idea but didn’t feel all that poetic this time.
ah that made me smile… sorry it took me so long to get here…
poetry is often born where we don’t see – and yet see so much more… how true.. love that part with poetry having feet esp. and how the bird on the window could give wings… poetry is so often found where we expect it least – isn’t it..?
smiles
i have written to your prompt but due to a business trip couldn’t post – will post tomorrow and link it with oln
Hey Claudia – I just wanted to say thank you to you – in my own way, I wanted to do this for a very long time – but couldn’t until now. Thanks a lot. and I am happy that it made you smile.
Nice tribute to some really nice people. Peace, Linda
So true.. the poetry of humans is born in emotions and senses.. and words and letters are an expression of human nature and all of the rest of that and is..
Winging it along a bird a fly never knowing down or up is to truly fly..:)
This is sheer loveliness–I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I’m sure we all relate to the wish to thank Brian and Claudia! And it’s a lovely poem about poetry, culminating in an absolutely wonderful concluding three lines which I think I’m going to be quoting a lot!
Awww – that is a wonderful letter, and I hope Brian and Claudia get to read it. And I hope that they know many, in fact probably all of us feel the same way. And you’ve written it so beautifully, artfully. Kudos Abhra.