Harmonica
in hand, fedora tipped,
he
sits
on the
curb
at
Pike Place,
a
glass at his side.
I
don't question
what's
in it,
I
don't judge.
He
lifts metal to mouth,
we
tune out, but--
like
the President
in a
State of the Union Address
after
tragedy to the nation,
the
street
becomes
his,
all
ears
to the
tomcat
wailing,
and we
come,
we
come.
©
2015 Jennifer Wagner
For
dVerse MTB: Connecting the Dots.
Hey his jammin' that harmonica aye?? smiles.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the metaphor,
"but--
like the President
in a State of the Union Address
after tragedy to the nation," -- skills that demand attention... nice write.
*he's jammin'. ugh. ha
DeleteKinda like the "Field of Dreams"..if he builds it they will come...while Obama has the bully pulpit, I hope he continues to play his harmonica or flute.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully drawn, Jennifer. I am very familiar with the setting and really got into the visuals set to "the tomcat wailing".
ReplyDeletenice...i wanna sit and listen to him for a bit...
ReplyDeletewhen i was at pike's i must have missed him...though that
was 10 years ago...he has a story that i am interested in hearing
and i bet if you listen to the music...you can hear it...
The streets becoming his...I like the music from the streets Jennifer ~ Good one ~
ReplyDeleteThere is a large caesura at this poem's center - a jazz break - where the reader can improvise, dance, sing or spy his or her own way into the center of the poem. That's a sculptural feat!
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Jennifer. Gave me chills when I read it. That's a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteHow visual.. I do not recall him playing but yes I do recall how music like this can capture attention.. So many times street music just blurs with the background.. But then you have those that rise and take possession of the street.
ReplyDeleteThe buskers and musicians at Pike Place always bless me....some great sounds out there. I liked the picture this painted, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteVery well-drawn portrait and vivid scene, Jennifer! I like how the layout adds meaning to your poem.
ReplyDeleteoh i love to listen to buskers on the streets and yeah - no judging - we should just enjoy the moment and melodies
ReplyDeleteThis is very good.
ReplyDeleteI like how "we tune out"...but when he starts to play, "we come". NIce!
ReplyDeleteI see him and hear his music...what an amazing work of art.
ReplyDeleteLove a man in a fedora. Add music and I'm there.
ReplyDeleteYou painted a truly amazing scene with your words here...
ReplyDeleteA perfect title for a fine verse_!
ReplyDeleteWonder of wonder; the magician's mind magnet; silent questions. _m
Magical! I have always loved the harmonica, very soulful. Very nice, Jennifer.
ReplyDeletekeen eye ~
ReplyDeleteI love this scene. I've witnessed similar things at Pike Place Market. You presented this very well.
ReplyDelete