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

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!