I love the randomness of poetic sparks. I embrace them with enthusiasm. They are a vital life source for poets.
This idea burst upon the scene while scanning through my twitter (X) feed earlier this week. Social media can be mirky water to navigate, but if we move quickly past the toxic waste, there is treasure to be found.
I came across an extensive rolling conversation where contributors were suggesting possible scenarios for a funeral. Humour and quirky darkness kept me engaged. The inventiveness of the contributions was most evident. Brainstorming at its best. Ideas dripping with potential.
So what has emerged from my reading that day is partly found poetry further enhanced by improvisation on text and woven into a brand new poem.
I could not have foretold what would spark my poetic juices that day, but that twitter feed has sparked a poem. I am most pleased to have composed this rather subversive ode to wicked intrigue. It reminds me that we must remain open to possibility at all times...
Mysterious Mourner At A Funeral
I declare I am available for hire
to stand mysteriously
Beside an ancient tree
A short, yet discreet distance from your graveside gathering
I shall carry an umbrella of understated tones
I shall don dark glasses and wear a long black trench coat
And stand spy like
To add to the intrigue felt by those
Gathered around your casket.
Swirls of mist
Would heighten the atmospherics
No doubt.
I will steadfastly resist the temptation to place some curious keepsake
On your grave
-for fear it may provoke unwanted questions
from the grieving congregation.
I could later mingle among the mourners
Hovering on the fringes while using a hushed voice
To utter
Suitably cryptic things to your friends and family
Things like-his life was much like an iceberg, so many secret lie submerged…
Before wandering off and catching a passing bus.
This could be your last laugh
-Your parting gesture...
Let me know if you are interested in taking up this offer.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and this week our host is Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect. Tricia's post presents a pantoum poem about her dog, Cooper.
Love the intrigue! And so wickedly humorous. I think this could be an entire movie! It came as a surprise to me that the main character was speaking to the (eventually) dead-to-be. Delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia. Yes, the poem is based on a proposal to someone in the event of their death in order to add a dash of intrigue to the funeral.
DeleteThis tickled my funny bone. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you appreicated the humour of the piece, Sarah. I was grinning during the composing phase.
DeleteThis is funny and interesting. I enjoyed hearing about your process. I too like finding the unexpected poems that sometimes seem offered up to us, if we notice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karin. Well, I felt I owed to readers to unpack the process. The poem presented cold could lead one to consider the whole thing a little bit strange... The spark of an idea was irresisitible!
DeleteHa, it would bring more conversation than usual if it's a small town. Everyone knows everyone there, and then again, it would be "the talk of the town" for years! It's nice to learn where the idea came from, Alan!
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in what was then a small town, I totally agree with you Linda. Thanks for the feedback on the process information accompanying the poem.
DeleteIt was fun to read the backstory for this poem . Inspiration can come from the oddest places! I enjoyed all of it, but especially those first three lines.
ReplyDeleteBackstory was something I considered rather essential this time, Molly. Glad you found the poem engaging. Inspiration has the quality of quicksilver. we must remain alert and ready to embrace it fleeting spark.
DeleteGood reminder to keep my mind and eyes open for inspiration...even in the most unlikely places/topics!
ReplyDeleteInspiration dares us to look for it, Mary Lee. It is a most intriguing game.
DeleteOh, my word! Yes, isn't that funny that inspiration can arise from anywhere. I love the idea of this mystery mourner. So funny to image it happening at my or other loved ones funerals. It would surely be a last laugh for the person who died, as well as a long-lasting wonder by those remaining.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed this offering, Denise.
DeleteYour poem is delectable, Alan, but I wrote these words from you in my notes - ideas dripping with potential. I'm always on the lookout for those.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. The eternal search continues...
DeleteI'm anonymous above - Rose Cappelli.
ReplyDeleteAlan, this is Janice. I found myself laughing at the line where you suggest the deceased's life was like an iceberg, imagining saying that at this mysterious funeral. I should visit social media more often as there are poem possibilities there. I enjoyed this
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind response Janice. good luck with your searching.
DeleteBrilliant. Absolutely brilliant, Alan.
ReplyDeleteYou are most kind, Laura. I did have a chuckle as this took shape.
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