Friday, February 6, 2015

Gather Round


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



21 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey his jammin' that harmonica aye?? smiles.

I 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.

Unknown said...

*he's jammin'. ugh. ha

Kathy Reed said...

Kinda 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.

Wendy Bourke said...

Wonderfully drawn, Jennifer. I am very familiar with the setting and really got into the visuals set to "the tomcat wailing".

Brian Miller said...

nice...i wanna sit and listen to him for a bit...
when 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...

Grace said...

The streets becoming his...I like the music from the streets Jennifer ~ Good one ~

Beachanny said...

There 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!

janetld said...

This is great, Jennifer. Gave me chills when I read it. That's a good thing. :)

brudberg said...

How 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.

Jody Lee Collins said...

The buskers and musicians at Pike Place always bless me....some great sounds out there. I liked the picture this painted, Jennifer.

Gabriella said...

Very well-drawn portrait and vivid scene, Jennifer! I like how the layout adds meaning to your poem.

Claudia said...

oh i love to listen to buskers on the streets and yeah - no judging - we should just enjoy the moment and melodies

said...

This is very good.

Anonymous said...

I like how "we tune out"...but when he starts to play, "we come". NIce!

Gail said...

I see him and hear his music...what an amazing work of art.

Anonymous said...

Love a man in a fedora. Add music and I'm there.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

You painted a truly amazing scene with your words here...

Magyar said...

A perfect title for a fine verse_!
Wonder of wonder; the magician's mind magnet; silent questions. _m

Lisa A. Williams said...

Magical! I have always loved the harmonica, very soulful. Very nice, Jennifer.

grapeling said...

keen eye ~

Justin Lamb said...

I love this scene. I've witnessed similar things at Pike Place Market. You presented this very well.