Haven

his lean equine face with dust-brown eyes defines hardship a gaunt frame undernourished he squats on city pavement there in the crook of his neck and shoulder a white bird cradled, stroked cooing "I bought the dove with my can money when the pet store closed." he shakes his can of coins at me like keys jingling at locked doors a delicate coarseness this vagabond human haven for a white dove something sacred that's he's obliged to care for that spikes sustainable refractive light at how we view others cut by luck decomposing as sunlight squeezes into city hatchways into stories we don't own into a soiled world that sometimes falls away like hands from a piano Poem composed July 3, 2023

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Constance La France

Date: 7/21/2023 2:10:00 PM

Brian, wonderful poem, I love how creative it is and congratulations on your win in my Writing Challenge H Words !

Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/21/2023 2:37:00 PM

Your contests certainly induce creative freedom in our submissions. Thank you again for that liberating invitation to write. Sincerely, Brian

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 7/4/2023 10:58:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write/story. I enjoyed reading it. Have a blessed/great day.................

Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/4/2023 11:05:00 AM

Thank you, Paula, for reading my work + commenting. Much appreciated. Cheers, Brian

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/4/2023 6:22:00 AM

- A really great poem, Brian - Congratulations on your win -

Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/4/2023 6:39:00 AM

Thank you Anne-Lise. Usually my poems about street people don't fair well on Poetrysoup. However, I couldn't resist this urban image of a man taking comfort from his bird - a mutually dependent relationship. I hope that you are well. Thanks again, Brian

Paul Callus

Date: 7/4/2023 1:00:00 AM

A striking poem which depicts an equally striking relationship between animals and humans, Brian. The introductory imagery is excellent, but so is the rest of the poem. Regards // paul

Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/4/2023 6:41:00 AM

Hi Paul. I am most appreciative of your uplifting comment. Thank you. Our neighborhood pet store closed after decades of operation. A few weeks later I encountered this chap with his bird. Strange how life gives one poetry. Be well. Sincerest regards, Brian

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/3/2023 3:30:00 PM

Dear Brian, your poetry is a tapestry woven with brilliant metaphors. The profound musings you express, accompanied by captivating imagery, leave me in awe, my dear friend. The way you depict the way we perceive others as refractive light, and how fortune can dismantle our existence, is truly remarkable. It is as if sunlight infiltrates the narrow alleyways of the city, seeping into narratives that do not belong to us, into a tainted world that occasionally crumbles away like hands relinquishing a piano.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 7/3/2023 4:30:00 PM

Hello dear fellow poet, Thank you Lasaad for your gracious comments. I wish that I could live up to your most thoughtful appraisal. The poem is based on a true occurrence. A displaced person coveted his bird like treasure - there the bird nestled between neck + shoulder cooing contentedly. Be well dear fellow. Cheers, Brian