Phantom-writers   (a celebration of life)

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Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Phantom-writers   (a celebration of life)

#1 Post by Michael (MV) » 02 Sep 2021, 03:08

Upon discovering
in the Lively Arts section
articles written by a Mr. Nelson,

I found further enthusiasm
to look forward eagerly to the Sunday arrival
of the Birmingham News.

The well-versed voice behind the mass media
was being instrumental
in providing a need
not fulfilled by Sunday school -

the art-related reading
missing from my life.


Fast-forward, around maybe 2011 -
while ranging the hallway at Greenbriar on Altamont,
I notice his name on the near-by door.

After knocking, introducing myself as Michael,
and not altogether surprised
to receive a Mr. Rodgers'
won't you be neighbor
kind of reception,

I canine-sense here is the canvas in time
on which I recollect with him
his weekly features, and express
my appreciation to Mr. Nelson

for the encouragement to creativity
through the enrichment his exciting
and insightful array of features afforded me,
fostering the younger years of my art-ed.

After thanking me
for revealing his role as an early mentor,
he humbly changes the subject
to respectfully inquire about Mother,
giving me double cause for smiling.

Before my leaving,
he mentions hoping to meet Mother while there;
then, of course, thanks me again
for the pop-up visit - collaboratively quick-sketched.

From there, I wander back to resume
my daily visit with Mother. No sooner than
she gingerly asks where did son disappear,
I promptly begin delivering the good news
of whom she has the privilege
to be on the same floor with,
whom she might very well soon become acquainted -

and then, we are as though no longer
on the hall during a nursing stay.
Instead, we are like home in her bedroom,
and she's attentively listening,
entranced with her boy recounting,
bringing her up-to-date

(never too old to learn something new
or perhaps she always knew,
watching son retrieve each Sunday edition
and open to section E to find my new learning)

then explaining why it's such a big deal -
a blessing & honor to meet at long last
the man behind the news print
who took me to the world of art,
introducing me to a life-long interest,

like vocalized invisible ink becoming visible,
appearing as though The Muse
had influenced since long ago
another unpremeditated scenario for me to record.


Did not know that day, (or even way back then)
that I would be now
rewinding that charmed hour
on yet another Sunday afternoon, but this time,
perceiving it as a kind of prelude
to The Homecoming they have arrived to,

and how Michael came about writing
one for Mr. Nelson







  

BobBradshaw
Posts: 2683
Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03

Re: Phantom-writers (a celebration of life)

#2 Post by BobBradshaw » 02 Sep 2021, 05:19

Lovely poem! I love the tone and flow of this? Is it too late to nominate it for this month?

Michael (MV)
Posts: 2154
Joined: 18 Apr 2005, 04:57

Re: Phantom-writers (a celebration of life)

#3 Post by Michael (MV) » 02 Sep 2021, 09:27

Thanks, Bob,

and if we need a 3rd, this poem is available.

😎

Michael (MV)

BobBradshaw wrote:
02 Sep 2021, 05:19
Lovely poem! I love the tone and flow of this? Is it too late to nominate it for this month?

FranktheFrank
Posts: 1983
Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
Location: Between the mountains and the sea

Re: Phantom-writers (a celebration of life)

#4 Post by FranktheFrank » 02 Sep 2021, 12:02

Michael
Would it benefit if you put the following in literals?

After knocking, introducing myself,
and not altogether surprised
to receive a "Mr. Rodgers'
won't you be neighbor"

kind of reception,

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