This poem took exactly a year to write! Well, let me explain. I started writing it in the month of August and was having trouble finding a suitable ending, so I put into a folder of unfinished poetry pieces. Almost a year to the day, I stumbled across it again and immediately knew the words I wanted to use. The problem had resolved itself. It serves as a clear example of why writers need to distance themselves from their writing occasionally. A little distance provides a clearer appreciation of the words. Sometimes it's good to let your words marinate a little. Maybe not a whole year, though!
Sneaker Look
Discarded sneakers
Scuffed and mangled
Laces frayed
Twisted
Tangled
Both lay rejected by the door
They’ll not see action any more
No more housing smelly socks
Running
Leaping
Scrambling rocks
The sole is smooth
Colour faded
Worn out, torn out
Dejected
Jaded
And worst of all
On each sad shoe
Is a giant hole
Where a toe pokes through
Their value has at last diminished
Sad to say
Their sneaking’s finished.
Alan j Wright
Originally published in Searching For Hen's Teeth-Poetry From The Search Zone, Alan j Wright.
It is once again Poetry Friday and this week our genial host is
Michelle Kogan. Michelle offers a poem about her father, some music, a little art and a further poetic distraction -a rather eclectic offering... Please visit Michelle, who will provide links to a host of poets, world-wide.
Those are some sad, sad sneakers!
ReplyDeleteTime for retirement for these worn out, torn out sad sneakers, Mary Lee. Without a doubt.
DeleteSeems like someone loved these sneakers to the last. Thanks, I enjoyed it, and the reminder to marinate is a good one. I recently brushed up a poem I thought was finished. It's better now.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you liked the marinating advice. It works a treat. Distancing ourselves from our writing, even for a short time, usually delivers a clearer vision of what we have, and what we need to do next.
DeleteI love the rhythm in your poem, Alan. And that picture is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rose. The rhythm of the poem pleases me too. It's as if those sneakers are having one last outing.
DeleteI love the last line. Sneakers after all were maybe, in the beginning, created for sneaking. Letting words marinate for a while is a wonderful help to a writer. Glad you finished this.
ReplyDeleteMe too. A sense of closure was mine to savour.
DeleteIt may have been a long hiatus but that ending's well worth the wait, Alan. I have a sad pair I'm clinging to, no holes yet, for which I'm thankful! A paean to favorite shoes shows a lot of love!
ReplyDeleteAlmost an ode to everyday items, Linda... The long wait was worth it in thee end.
DeleteOh, I like the ending you finally decided on. Those sneakers have got some serious mileage on them. :D
ReplyDeleteJama
Glad you liked the ending, Jama. It was worth all that intervening time.
DeleteDelightful! The ending is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. Endings are important. We must aim to end strongly.
DeletePoor sneaks, guess "Their sneaking’s" truly "finished." Great poem though, sole-ful ending, and pic, and yes to letting a poem or any writing sit for a spell. Thanks Alan!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. Like your use of 'soleful'
DeleteYes, that's it! You nailed the ending. Great poem.
ReplyDeleteTabatha
Thanks Tabatha. Hopefully, the wait for a suitable ending, proved fruitful. We often make our poems with time and patience.
DeleteYour poem is delightful, Alan! I love the rhythm and line breaks. I'm learning, slowly, to let my work, my words, marinate. Oh that we would consider this prior to speaking these days! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. Yes, both our words and our thoughts frequently benefit from a little marinating before emerging into the light. Glad you liked the structure of the poem. It became a considered aspect of the final version.
DeleteAs per usual, love your poem, Alan. Well marinated poetry comes to those who wait...and remember to go back and check their "folder of unfinished poetry pieces". :)
ReplyDelete