Sunday, December 26, 2010

Can the Cued (Poem)


Adam Dustus, Christmas at Rockefeller Center
 New York City, 2010
Used With Photographer's Permission 


Can the Cued

Flags flutter their flames of shimmery gold
but switch flips too late to on,

and night niggles itself away
as ram-rod-straight the drummers

drum ten ta-pa-pa-pa-tums
at their stations of stone

hardened to the callously cold
and empty-handed revelers

passed through, now gone.
Can the cued muster just another

seasonal song or two? Tender is
talk in silence of promise bright renewed.

© 2010 Maureen E. Doallas
___________________________________

I wrote this poem for today's One Shoot Sunday Poetry Challenge at One Stop Poetry.

Anyone may participate by writing a poem or piece of "flash fiction" in response to the picture. Go here for information about accepting the challenge and to read others' contributions.

9 comments:

Glynn said...

I hear the little drummer boy's song in here, but playing when there's no one to listen. But the important thing is that the song is still being played. Good poem, Maureen.

dustus said...

Your alliterative piece encompasses both the familiar of holiday passerbys, as well as the feeling of the season itself through capturing the essence through sounds. I also hear the drummer boy... "promise bright renewed" makes me think of the effect of holiday music on the moods of many listeners. Excellent composition. Cheers, Maureen.

Anonymous said...

shall we
still play for Him
a lovely
melody
softly beating
hearts
in tune

hedgewitch said...

You draw a fine contrast here between the canned and the spontaneous, the real and the artificial. Nicely crafted, and strong in substance. "...night niggles itself away..." great line. and the finish is the perfect twist, dreamy and eloquent. Enjoyed both the simplicity and the artistry at work here.

Fireblossom said...

Christmas After Humans?

Okay, I've been watching too much Discovery Channel.

Claudia said...

i agree with glynn - hear the little drumme boy's song as well - and my fav line is..
drum ten ta-pa-pa-pa-tums
at their stations of stone..

Jenne' R. Andrews said...

This is so unique and beautiful, Maureen. The scene so poignant and you capture that aftermath feeling of this day-- much love-- more later-- check out Loquaciously Yours a bit later priceless photo from my brother...xxxj

Reflections said...

Beauty beats to the drummer boy... well done.

S. Etole said...

your words carry a rhythm of their own ...