John Oldham Poet Quatrain

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 –

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Gershon Wolf March 31, 2023 at 3:51 PM Gorgeous penning, John. Just gorgeous... Minaret without the muzzein, by any other name... John Oldham March 31, 2023 at 6:02 PM Thanks, Gershon. Glad you liked the license I took with minarets.

Andrea Dietrich March 29, 2023 at 12:05 PM what a beautiful poem, John. Loved it. John Oldham March 29, 2023 at 5:24 PM Thank You, Andrea!

Daniel Turner March 28, 2023 at 3:53 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 March 29, 2023 at 5:21 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 March 29, 2023 at 5:07 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 March 28, 2023 at 7:27 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 March 28, 2023 at 5:50 PM Minarets is a metaphor for the verses I use to build my castles (i.e., "poems"). Perhaps a stretch? Hope this helps!