When we were small my we’d travel to visit an uncle in Pittsburgh. Starting at four in the morning and shooting up through highways that always seemed to me to be filled with dinosaurs with huge fiery eyes.
Gloria! As someone who also traveled extensively with his parents, I, too, am absolutely transported. What marvelous images and feelings you conjure with your wonderfully magical words.
THANK YOU.
P.S. One inextinguishable memory--both visual and olfactory--traveling through a small town “in the hush of pre-dawn’s embrace” ... twinkling lights, steam rising from the buildings, and the ambrosial fragrance of bread baking in heavenly bakeries filling our car.
I'm transported, thank you, Gloria. "Our car would whisper into the night" -- beautiful. And how lucky am I to have all this marvelous stuff happening in my own comments area!
Excellent layering of imagery to give the poem a three dimensional feel.
Thanks Stan -- astute observation s as usual.
Thanks for your compliment on my compliment, lol. I believe there might be some more poetry there.
Maybe when I get to where I’m going
Whoa! Safe travels my friend.
Thanks Lorraine, it turned out to be a beautiful day for driving in Western Montana. Blue sky, dry pavement, and sparse traffic.
Oh good. You're on the road all the time!
“When god made me he made a rambling man”
Ramble on!🎶
In the heart of Western Montana's grandeur,
Roamed Jonathan Potter, a soul so pure,
"When God made me," he'd often say,
"He crafted a rambling man, free as the day."
Under skies of endless blue,
He drove where the wild winds blew,
With mountains rising, stoic and grand,
He traversed this majestic land.
Dry pavement beneath, the road ahead clear,
Sparse traffic, the path to anywhere near,
He found his peace in every mile,
With every turn, life worth the while.
For Potter, the world was a wondrous place,
A canvas for God's grace,
In each journey, in every land,
He felt the touch of a divine hand.
"God made me a rambling man," he'd confess,
To seek, to explore, to express,
In the beauty of Western Montana's span,
He lived his truth, as only he can.
Through valleys and peaks, under the sun's warm glow,
He roamed where the rivers flow,
A testament to the spirit free,
Jonathan Potter, as meant to be.
This is wonderful!
Thank you, Gloria. This gave me a huge grin, that's still stuck on my face.
I’m glad you like my ramblings.
Epic.
Thank you.
Like an elemental crashed or some mythical beast staring at whoever dares approach.
Interesting take, thanks Patris.
When we were small my we’d travel to visit an uncle in Pittsburgh. Starting at four in the morning and shooting up through highways that always seemed to me to be filled with dinosaurs with huge fiery eyes.
I drove through there 30 years ago and that rings true to my recollection.
In the hush of pre-dawn's embrace,
We'd set off at a sleepy pace,
To visit an uncle, far and wide,
In Pittsburgh's arms, where dreams reside.
At four A.M., the stars still bright,
Our car would whisper into the night.
Through highways vast, a magical sight,
Where dinosaurs roamed in the moon's soft light.
Their eyes, like fiery orbs aglow,
Watched over us, to and fro.
Their massive shapes, a wondrous view,
In my young eyes, they grew and grew.
Each rumble, a dinosaur's roar,
Each light, an eye forevermore.
Their presence filled the night with awe,
A fantasy without a flaw.
Through tunnels deep, where echoes dance,
We'd glimpse their shadows by mere chance.
Their tales spun from the ancient past,
In our journey, their magic cast.
To Pittsburgh, a land of dreams,
Where reality's not what it seems.
Uncle's home, our cherished prize,
Under the watch of dinosaur eyes.
In this adventure, young hearts thrill,
Imagination's power to instill.
A journey not just miles long,
But a voyage where myths belong.
In every trip, a story spun,
Of dinosaurs, moon, stars, and sun.
A memory cherished, pure and bright,
Of our travels in the night.
In awe. You are incredible. Thank you for expanding that child’s memory.
You are welcome. I traveled extensively with my parents. Struck a chord in me.
I only once resented the road trips - it was Halloween and I knew we would miss the candy frenzy.
Gloria! As someone who also traveled extensively with his parents, I, too, am absolutely transported. What marvelous images and feelings you conjure with your wonderfully magical words.
THANK YOU.
P.S. One inextinguishable memory--both visual and olfactory--traveling through a small town “in the hush of pre-dawn’s embrace” ... twinkling lights, steam rising from the buildings, and the ambrosial fragrance of bread baking in heavenly bakeries filling our car.
I'm transported, thank you, Gloria. "Our car would whisper into the night" -- beautiful. And how lucky am I to have all this marvelous stuff happening in my own comments area!
Yours and a couple of other poets-Stanley, Jason-are the cool kids’ spots.
It's like we're all in after-school detention together.
Be safe 🙏
Thanks Ann. After an hour or so delay, things got much better, thankfully.
Sunrise with no sun, grey and cold icy morning,
can be a real bitch.
Like it for many reasons including an inspiration for a new lyric.
Thanks.
I want to have first dibs reading the new lyric, please. 🙏
Yes, my project was inspired
By a poem I had read
But you know I have to fuss a bit
Before it goes to bed
I appreciate that you're curious
That response I like just fine
But honey don't wait up for it
It's gonna take some time.
Be well
There’s nothing better than waking up and finding and response from a man who writes in verse
Be careful what you wish for
Sending you a teaser
The Blue Martini and the Belly Dancer
https://youtu.be/1zqaEuLeLaY?si=mkqFdjZi6wUZQiVr
I was walking in Delray one night when I heard a cool guitar
I followed that music to its source it was coming from the Blues End Bar
It wasn’t hard detective work, it’s a quiet part of town
And I can’t resist the wine and song so I entered and sat down
They serve something called the purple drink and a blue martini too
Course I never stop to think and I poured down quite a few
The floor began to shift a bit and the room began to spin
Then the belly dancer took the stage and I was all done in
She swayed her arms and legs and hips and through my wild blue haze
She looked into my very heart and set my soul ablaze
I got caught up in the magic like a moth around a flame,
And since the blue martini and the belly dancer
I haven’t been the same
The rest of the night was just a blur I was lost somewhere in space
My ears rang like cathedral bells and I couldn’t feel my face
Something about a sidewalk and a man called “Bouncer Bill”
And a whole lot more I can’t recall and I doubt I ever will
I don’t have a message or a moral for this tale
But the noonday sun don’t shine as bright and the colors all seem pale
My brain does overheat some, bet I burnt some brain that night
And my legs start shaking something fierce when I recall that sight
She swayed her arms and legs and hips and through my wild blue haze
She looked into my very heart and set my soul ablaze
I got caught up in the magic like a moth around a flame,
And since the blue martini and the belly dancer
I haven’t been the same
SO awesome
I hear a country melody 🎵
Pen it!
You must have checked my Stack. Yeah, think Chuck Berry - Long distance information give me Memphis TN
Think Chuck Berry
When a triolet works, it just works. This one works. Nice!
Thank you, Mr. James!
Thank you very much Jonathan.
Jacknifed on the Highway of Fate
Many thanks to Jonathan Potter's poem Sunrise 11/29/2023
This project was inspired
By a poem I had read
So I wrote some words to steer on
What thoughts might come ahead
Love, responsability, and
Working thru the pain
Heavy emotional trauma like
The wrecked husk of a train
On the highway of love,
Jacknifed, I sure liked the sound
But when I wrote that second line
It all got turned around
A truck and trailer jacknifed
Taillights red red red
I quickly, gently eased my brakes
Danger just ahead
Woman sits beside me
Rocking on the seat
She got muffins in the oven
And the asphalt's paved with sleet
Brother don't get jacknifed
On the highway
Of fate
Hello central hospital
I've a delivery to make
My 19 year old's water broke
My heart's bout to break
I pull up to emergency
Nurses coming on the run
My baby got a gurney ride
But she ain't having fun
Girl we just got jacknifed
On the highway
Of fate
Oh brother don't get jacknifed
On the highway of fate
Scan the scene just ahead
Before you take the bait
Be careful who you lie to
Don't bet more than you've got
Make sure your aim is true so
Your piss don't miss the pot
And maybe you won't get jacknifed
On the highway
Of fate
I park the car and jump right out
Fall flat on my face
Face ok but broke my hip
Guess I'll have to like this place
I awake from crazy, crazy dreams
In a semi private room
My doctor says don't worry
You'll all be leaving soon
But be cautious don't get jacknifed
On the highway
Of fate
We got home last evening
Both the girls just fine
But now they call me Grampy Gimp
And I'll hear that for all time
So brother don't get jacknifed
On the highway of fate
Scan the scene just ahead
Before you take the bait
Be careful who you lie to
Don't bet more than you've got
Make sure your aim is true so
Your piss don't miss the pot
And maybe you won't get jacknifed
On the highway
Of fate
Malcolm McKinney 2023
Laugh out loud funny!!!
We got home last evening
Both the girls just fine
But now they call me Grampy Gimp
And I'll hear that for all time