Better Than Having Nothing To Say

I begin again 
on the same path I take every day, 
past the familiar fences, hedges 
and duck under the same
sag of overhanging trees. 
Past the house 
with the sociopathic dog,
the cottage still hung
with christmas lights
from months ago and a pink 
weatherboard bungalow 
whose front yard is populated 
with mushrooms 
and garden gnomes with 
a recalcitrant peeing 
into a fountain shaped 
like a scallop shell.

Then the opulent splendor
and stand-offish demeanor 
of a thicket of town houses all with
porsches and mercs parked 
crooked across manicured driveways. 
And next door,
an old mansion that hasn't seen
a coat of paint since Elvis 
strut the stage, curtains drawn,
the structure stately in its ruin,
defiant in old age, sliding towards 
demolition or resurrection
with its secrets still intact.

Then, at the end of the street,
a vista of the river mouth
opening into the wide reaches
of Port Phillip Bay. I take a seat
and begin, as I always do,
to rummage for a poem, 
a starting line or two, 
for something profound to say. 
Today, a blank silence,
a totally empty haul except 
for what I saw as I passed 
along the street and have 
recorded here 
which is probably better 
than having nothing 
to say at all.
Tomorrow I might try
to go another way.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Lawless Avatar
April 7, 2023 at 10:01 AM
the trouble is that when I'm out walking and a poem sneaks up on me I never have a pencil.....nicely done Paul
Willason Avatar
April 7, 2023 at 3:28 PM
Thanks John. I had the same problem, no pencil, but discovered my mobile phone although it tries to change my words. Cheers.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace