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A Moonlight Grifter

A grifter's mind with a poet's heart, he wrote words that could tear you apart. To capture moonlight, he made his goal, but his songs came from cracks in his soul. Sometimes he wrote of a sordid life, of keeping his thoughts in words of strife. Then, traded those words for stars instead, as he followed paths where moonlight led. Not one to study, yet books engrossed. He was intrigued by words the most. They seemed to leap from page to mind. He took them and left a verse behind. He had found the magic that occurred within Earth's wonder, with but a word. He took beauty from all he could see, then left behind just his poetry. A lone grifter, he was from the start, finding his way, just playing his part. Then found the words so lovely to see. Touched our hearts, a rare poet was he.

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Susan Lawrence

Date: 5/2/2025 3:42:00 PM

Dear Ann, I love this poem. I love the man and what he found valuable in his life. I love his goals and his aspirations despite his painful life, leaving beautiful words for the world to soak in. To be read and felt from the heart - beautiful work. Thank you for the gift of your poetry and vision . Love, Susan :)

Ann Peck
Date: 5/11/2025 1:49:00 PM

Oh, Susan. You are so nice and kind. I'm so grateful for comments from you, as your poetry is so incredibly lovely. It's funny the things that stir our imagination. I heard those two words, "moonlight grifter," and thought that just must become a poem :) Thank you, dear friend for your comments. love, Ann

Susan Ashley

Date: 3/29/2025 8:41:00 AM

Dear Ann, my soulful poet friend, I adore the dual nature of the "moonlight grifter". Every verse is filled with poignant beauty, an air of mystery, poetic whimsy "traded those words for stars instead".. a poet who "took beauty from all he could see,/then left behind just his poetry." His aura is wrapped in the enchantment of your ethereal imagery and rhymes to great effect. Beautiful poetry my dear poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Ann Peck
Date: 3/31/2025 1:29:00 PM

Ah, Susan, dear poetry friend. You're so kind! I don't know if you read my comments to others. I heard the TV in the other room say those words -- don't know what they were referring to -- but loved the words, Moonlight grifter. Strange what gets us. Thank you so much!

Karen Jones

Date: 3/27/2025 1:42:00 AM

A fav from me! I was engaged and thoroughly enjoyed your enchanting poems energy and concept! Should be potd!

Ann Peck
Date: 3/31/2025 1:20:00 PM

Thank you so much, Karen! I really appreciate your kind words. Take care.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/23/2025 3:21:00 PM

I’m sure there is untouched poetry out there that would touch the special part of our heart. I just saw a story on a FB reel where a box was found of 100 rolls of film. Turned out to be from the 1960’s and spectacular photos. They don’t know who they photographer was. Some treasures get buried!

Ann Peck
Date: 3/29/2025 1:27:00 PM

Oh, that's so wonderful, yet sad, too. You wonder why? Did he die and no one cared enough to save? I would love to see those photos, wouldn't you? Thanks, Kim

Anne E Sangster - K

Date: 3/16/2025 6:43:00 PM

A lovely tribute to your mystery poet and it flows so beautifully. I enjoyed reading this tonight. Hugs~Anne :-)

Ann Peck
Date: 3/19/2025 5:11:00 PM

Hi, Anne. He's a mystery to me,too :). I heard the name of a song called Moonlight Grifter, and I thought I need to write a poem about that. You know inspiration arrives in mysterious ways. I googled to see if there was something with that title and got a no. So, maybe I'm just losing it :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/16/2025 4:46:00 PM

Such a creative and thoughtful poem. Loved its uniqueness

Ann Peck
Date: 3/19/2025 5:15:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea. I'm so stupid, I had to google what grifter meant :)

Sam Kauffman

Date: 3/16/2025 9:54:00 AM

Wonderful mystery about your unnamed "rare" poet who finds "magic" in "Earth's wonder." Every line is a study in rich metaphor and beautiful imagery. This is so elegantly crafted and a fav for me. Thank you for this beautiful gift! Blessings to you and to your "grifter" whoever he might be!

Ann Peck
Date: 3/19/2025 5:22:00 PM

You're so kind, Sam. It was just inspiration that hit when I heard Moonlight Grifter was a new song. I googled to see if that title was used and google said no. Like I told Anne, maybe I'm just losing it :) Thanks for your lovely comments!

Gary Radice

Date: 3/13/2025 3:22:00 AM

Hi Ann. I like that air of mystery as to who the grifter actually is. Famous? Not famous? Doesn’t matter. He touched your literary life… but if I was to guess a famous name then the name Dylan Thomas or Oscar Wilde would be there or thereabouts. Yet, I don’t think the reader needs to know as it adds depth to what is already a great poem. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck
Date: 3/19/2025 5:42:00 PM

Hi Gary, I do need to explain. I heard the words, Moonlight Grifter on the radio and thought I need to write a poem about that. I googled whether it had been used in a title and got no. And they didn't elaborate. So, maybe my muse is on the radio now :)

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/12/2025 12:41:00 PM

I enjoyed reading your "A Moonlight Grifter" write. Have a blessed day writing away............

Ann Peck
Date: 3/12/2025 2:59:00 PM

Thanks, dear Paula!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 3/12/2025 5:01:00 AM

Dear Ann, O' mesmerizing, a portrait of a soul both restless and radiant, leaving behind a trail of beauty in words. I really felt that there’s a quiet reverence in how you capture the poet’s essence, the way longing and creation intertwine. Truly a stunning and heartfelt piece. Spring Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Ann Peck
Date: 3/12/2025 2:57:00 PM

Thank you so much, Daniel! I appreciate your kind words!

I Am Anaya

Date: 3/11/2025 12:37:00 PM

This mysterious man of words and grifter, I am intrigued by him, Ann. The drifters back in the day wrote in chapbooks - tales, ballads, or tracts, sold by peddlers i read. You are a talented story teller ~

Ann Peck
Date: 3/19/2025 5:36:00 PM

Thanks, Anaya. That's so interesting about grifters of old. I just heard the word moonlight grifter on the radio and thought I need to write a poem about that. You know how inspiration finds us. Thanks for your lovely comments.

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 3/11/2025 11:50:00 AM

A lovely tribute poem to whoever the moonlight grifter is… Beryl

Ann Peck
Date: 3/20/2025 2:38:00 PM

Thanks, Beryl. The poet lives in my imagination. I just heard those two words and was intrigued.

Deb M

Date: 3/11/2025 11:42:00 AM

Oh Ann l just love this….it rhymes beautifully and has a mysterious intriguing feel to it……Debx

Ann Peck
Date: 3/20/2025 2:35:00 PM

Thanks, Deb! He's a fantasy :) I just heard those two words and was intrigued and inspired. I probably should have put in poem that the poet wasn't real. Thanks for your comments.