Minarets

My narrow hands made minarets
Of castles in the sky
The phantom figures that I traced
Were but for just my eyes

I did not draw upon the sand
For fear the rising tide
Would devastate the effort
And then – what left – have I?

I did not sketch in quarters
The public would review
For fear their introspection
Would taint my simple view

And what my slender finger drew
Upon the canvas blank
With such utmost authority
Took just my breath away –

Alone I viewed my handiwork
Took stock of every line
Internalized the ephemeral
Nature of the rhyme

Which set the spirit of the thought
Which grasped the shades of earth
And shaped my castles in the air
In minarets of verse –

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

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/31/2023 3:51:00 PM

Gorgeous penning, John. Just gorgeous... Minaret without the muzzein, by any other name...

John Oldham
Date: 3/31/2023 6:02:00 PM

Thanks, Gershon. Glad you liked the license I took with minarets.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/29/2023 12:05:00 PM

what a beautiful poem, John. Loved it.

John Oldham
Date: 3/29/2023 5:24:00 PM

Thank You, Andrea!

Daniel Turner

Date: 3/28/2023 3:53:00 PM

well you stumped me here, john. Ive heard of reading verses from minarets but never shaping one with a verse. hopefully you will enlighten me.

Daniel Turner
Date: 3/29/2023 5:21:00 AM

Thank you, John for your patience and understanding. I understand now:) Sorry, sometimes all the wires don't transmit like they're supposed to. Must have been the 70's:)

John Oldham
Date: 3/29/2023 5:07:00 AM

S'all good, Daniel. I actually like how this poem works - it's about the poet taking ideas for a poem (castles) he has in his head (in the air) and bringing them into reality (in verse). Initially, they are just ideas (phantom figures). It also reflects how the poet works alone and sometimes only he sees, and enjoys, the results.

Daniel Turner
Date: 3/28/2023 7:27:00 PM

Who am I to argue creative privilege? When i need enlightenment, I ask:) Anything goes when writing poetry, John. Of course you already know that. Thanks for the explanation.

John Oldham
Date: 3/28/2023 5:50:00 PM

Minarets is a metaphor for the verses I use to build my castles (i.e., "poems"). Perhaps a stretch? Hope this helps!