“Mashed tantrum”….I really like that turn of phrase….

Jacob…
You know, I’m not a particular fan of political poetry, which is why I so enjoyed this piece… especially the logical way you follow the trail to the purloined invitations.
Vol

smells and images merged into a visceral statement about the world

Regards James

thank you for your kind comment, James.
j.

This is one of those pieces that has the soul crying & the mind sighing. So true & so disheartening. This world is at the edge of a cliff & too many just aren’t willing to take that step back. Lemmings…

It reads like whirlwind romance tangled up in finer details. “Fingers playing ivories towards my laughter” carries a poetic notion within the telling of story and fantastic reality. He’s a lucky man to have you and you’re lucky to have this strange man in return! Compellingly positive….

Joy,
You know, live wears many different costumes, and is a quick-change artist, too. In the sensory overload of 21st century life, it seems an impossibility to stop long enough to see anything, really. When was the last time you knew of a new “painted lady house?” No, todays houses are all little boxes because no one has the time for beauty, any more.
Vol

It is refreshing to see new “voices” in here. Yours is quite entertaining and I like how it isn’t routine anything. I read a few of your writes, to get an idea of what the author is about. You’re top notch.

Many thank yous for such a generous review, truly mean that. Must admit, I write as I think – randomly! Obviously a little editing is done but probably not enough – but I try.

The topnotch will do very nicely and is much appreciated. But, the pressure’s on now!!! 🙂

Welcome, Dear Kelly 🍷
Now, that you’ve arrived, Stars Rite is in for a real Free Verse treat … like none before.

How delightfully sentimental the vivid clarity of your verbal virtuosity transports us back to a time of musical freewheeling magic, through the creative skills of true American folk artists … those days that will live forever in our youthful minds, hearts, and souls.

Love your perfect title and artwork choices … they set such a sweet ambiance!
Thank you, Dear Lady-Poet! ⁓ Richard🖌

“Like the pine trees lining the winding road, I’ve got a name, I’ve got a name”—
And I wonder if it is possible to save time in a bottle…It happened in the film, Message in a Bottle, with Robin Wright, Costner and Newman.
The waves roll in and with them memories. I never got to see the others, but I saw Dylan twice. Such a classic, and classic poet.
He and Paul Simon made me first start really listening to the lyrics, the poetry that was theirs.
But with much of the new music, “It’s all over now, Baby Blue.”

great poem…

j.

And this is why I love to roam the streams of poetry sites. Someone once sang ‘without music the world dies’ and viewing the world from both sides now, I tend to agree. Exquisitely executed. There seems to be an influx of writers from an other site in here & it’s all the better for it.

Yes, indeed. With fine poetic flair, you tell us of music and memories that detail our lives. I recall how songs of the past have bookmarked events and special people in my life. Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” always makes me think of that 4’10” girl I once loved. The song “Brandy” by “Looking Glass” always puts me back in 1970’s California, and another girl I knew. How do non-music lovers do it?

There were so many I could have mentioned as true troubadours of music, but I think we each have our own compilation as to who qualifies. I am happy to have your presence here, Sam. Thank you for the smile I am wearing!

You never write a so so poem, Kelly. I’m very glad you’ve arrived.
I could go through a list of people I grew up listening to including the singers you’ve mentioned. Gordon Lightfoot was a favorite besides James Taylor, CSN, Joni Mitchell…and too many rock bands to mention. The 70’s and some of the 80’s were the best time for music. It’s such a shame kids are growing up listening to such poison. Perhaps that’s an element of why our world is so crazy. Anyway, great poem.

Yes indeed, my friend, I have arrived…with many thanks to you for being the first person to put a bug in my ear to join. Then Sam and Richard encouraged me to do so, too. What friends I have in poetry! A thousand thank yous for leading the way!

I am joining this convo. Love the piece you posted here. Immediately, the song The Times They Are A-Changin’.came to mind

Who said romance is dead .. not on our watch eh’ .. and now it will live on here now and for always .. It would be far too easy to fall in love with thy pen dear lady K ..

p.s. I got a thing about good old Mr. Zimmerman .. seen him twice over here in the last three years & a two piece cover version once too called the Big Yellow Tambourine Man Band a smashing Bob n Joni M look and soundalike duo .. check em out, I dubble dare ya .. 💛😎👍🍷

Nostalgia waxes warmly in the spill of remembrances, yesteryear’s idyllic Eden 🌼

Hoi hoi chère K.,
Your first entrance (your intro perhaps?), I love it a lot.
Bob D released us from the
Love
Ove
Me
De
You
Know
I
Love
You
Tyranny (is that English?) my mum didn’t teach me English….

So I’ll always be grateful for what bob D accomplished!
We must be proud of ourselves too! We write future memories. Of that I’m sure. You did anyway.
Keep ‘em coming dear! Lots and lots of them. And I’ll read them all.
Kind regards, Gus

Brilliantly penned, Kelly. Into the book it belongs! Amazing write my friend, nowadays it seems most people only care about the hook. I dig the classics myself. Welcome to Stars Rite. Appreciate you.

Damian

Yes! Live this piece p, and the artists and music you reference. I look forward to reading more of your work!

Oh, my! This is good. Welcome to the site.

Beautiful work. Great to see you here.

Hi Kelly, so glad you told me about the SR and really happy that Fia’s link helped me to create my account here. And on top of this, a musical rendezvous in poetry by a wonderful poet…YOU!!!

Many of my musical influences were some of the ones you mentioned, as well as Carol King, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and, of course, Jimi Hendrix. I think back then, as with many of the youth today, we lived in our music. I firmly believe our generation (baby boomers) had the best music. It was innovative, rebellious, inspiring, and moved us to want and act to create a better world. There was a tenderness, a sweetness, and kindness to it. “Aint no Mountain High Enough” that true romance couldn’t climb. I think your poem, Kelly, could inspire a book with all those “troubadours” as main characters.

It is good to read your poetry Kelly, thanks for posting it.
-Curt (your fellow traveler from SC and WC)

My poetry, and everything I’ll ever write, is for my friends, like you, Curt. Friends I’ve met over the years at the WC, and the years before, at The Starlite Cafe. And now, we’re here. I’d say we’re pretty lucky to STILL be among friends! And it feels real good!

The King of Metaphor,

jacob, I’ve often marveled at the unique originality of your stunning analogical imagery … this piece is overflowing with this brilliance.
I mean, who else would/could have come up with such a title that morphs from raw fish into emotional human vibrance, with but a few strokes of a ultra-creative, skilled pen?

How slippery relationships can all too often be, or become, just like this poem.
I really got a knowing smile outta this’n … thanks, Jacob! ⁓ Richard🖌

I’ve read through this so many times and I have now somehow managed to lose count of the various ways in which I have so far managed to interpret it .. Indeed, such variances can only be satisfactorily juxtaposed against the vibrant backcloth of human relationships that I know from both personal and professional experience to exist .. You have such a unique way with words Jacob it has the JEC stamp running all the way through it .. Neville

Thank you for your very kind review, Neville. I am so pleased to see that many of our WC family have found a new home, and a comfortable one at that.
j.

A haunting, beautifully layered meditation on loss, memory, and ritual. The imagery is vivid and intimate, moving effortlessly between grief, remembrance, and fleeting moments of connection. The poem lingers like smoke, both tender and unflinching.