Brian Sambourne | + Follow Poet |
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Out My Window

children chalk sidewalk bricks
in fresh colors of bravado, pinks, blues, reds
rhythmic brushing
mystic threads merging, 
handled meticulously
 
child pedigree to erase the bland
on splashed bricks, laced up in color
hope that blooms out with jelly-roll laughter
in late summer ripeness
like pieces that fall in chess game slumber 

outside my window
midst the stammering wrangle of life
children kneel 
handle strokes of plump chaulk
like a wash of offerings
for a different world, coming
that lurks 
       in the rattling rain of October

Copyright © Brian Sambourne | Year Posted 2023

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Charles Messina Date: 9/16/2023 11:24:00 AM The simplest things in life can amuse children, chalk coloring is like a coloring book, on a much larger scale. None-the-less if it keeps them on the sidewalks and out of the streets, I would buy them all a whole case of pastel chalk...and watch them through my window :) Nice write, Brian. Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 9/16/2023 11:31:00 AM Hello Charles, My appreciation for your stop by + comment. I agree with you - children amused by plump chalk pieces + brick coloring can keep the youngsters well engaged. Streetscapes (with children) offer us many opportunities to write. Be well. Brian

Bill Baker Date: 9/4/2023 8:47:00 PM Children don't seem to realize how hot it is in the summer until the fall and the cool refreshing breeze hits them. Thank you for sharing your observations with us through your poetry, Brian. Have a great week, my friend. Bill Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 9/4/2023 9:08:00 PM Greetings Bill, My appreciation for your stop by + comment. Children still play in the street + pudgy pieces of chalk engage the youngin's to create. Such sights outside my window. Be well. Cheers, Brian

Charlotte Puddifoot Date: 9/3/2023 2:54:00 AM this is an excellent piece, and craig was right to place it very highly..i love that last line in particular; your closing lines are always strong and memorable - congrats! Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 9/3/2023 5:19:00 AM Thank you for the thoughtful assessment of my posting, Charlotte. Best wishes as you pen fine poems online. Cheers, Brian

Thomas Wells Date: 8/30/2023 3:56:00 PM You have some engaging images -"...splashed brick" "...jelly-roll laughter" I also like the way you use the playful summer cheer of children as a transition to the coming season of autumn. Very nicely done! Take care, Brian. Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/30/2023 6:29:00 PM Thank you, Thomas, for your thoughtful acknowledgement of my poem. "Transition" is a most apt word. From childhood to adult world, from seasonal change, from bliss to stress, we seem to be in a state of flux always. Thanks very much for your kind comments. Be well. Brian

Craig Cornish Date: 8/29/2023 11:21:00 AM Brian, I was drawn to this on the first read and lost in it with each additional read - so well sculpted, so many facets, gifted writing! Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/29/2023 11:42:00 AM Greetings Craig, My appreciation for your words + recognition. I did try to layer the work in meaning, from innocence to experience along with spiritual overtones. My thanks once again, Brian

Sam Kauffman Date: 8/28/2023 2:26:00 PM Brian, congratulations on your win! You have taken the simple joy of children drawing with chalk on the sidewalk into a mystical experience with the coming of rain - the future - when what has been experienced will wash away only to be re-recreated again in the spirit of childhood! Love your "lumbering" late summer and your word use! Sending you blessings! Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/28/2023 2:42:00 PM Greetings Sam, thank you for highlighting sections of my poem for appraisal. You are spot on - the chalked bricks carry a metaphorical weight - a glow washed away in rain but possibly a return in an altered form. Happiness reincarnated. Thank you again for your analysis. Best wishes, Brian

Sotto Poet Date: 8/28/2023 12:52:00 PM Beautifully written, my friend. Your words are like brushstrokes on a canvas, creating a vivid and powerful image in the mind. Your win is truly deserved, as your writing is filled with depth and rich imagery. It stirs the soul and leaves a lasting impact. Congratulations on this well-earned achievement. Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/28/2023 2:37:00 PM Very appreciative of your uplifting comments on my poem, Lasaad. Thank you for the kind acknowledgement. Now I need to live up to your high evaluation. Sincerest regards always, Brian

Ink Empress Date: 8/28/2023 11:36:00 AM A well deserved win this is, love the depth and imagery of this write. Soul stirring! Congratulations Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/28/2023 12:01:00 PM Greetings Ink Empress (what a great moniker!) Thank you for the affirmative note on my posting. Hope that you are well. With appreciation, Brian

Jerry Brotherton Date: 8/27/2023 11:51:00 AM Well penned my friend. 'Hope that blooms out with jelly-roll laughter' 'midst the stammering wrangle of life'. Two lines with such powerful imagery. Great job. Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/27/2023 12:13:00 PM Greetings Jerry, Thank you for the positive review of my poem. I never quite know if my quirky imagery rings true or not. Best wishes, Brian

Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/27/2023 9:54:00 AM Such wonderful imagery! … like a wash of offerings for a different world. Login to Reply Brian Sambourne Date: 8/27/2023 12:16:00 PM Hello Kim, Most appreciative of your views on my poem of children chaulking interlocking bricks in front of my home. With sincere good wishes, Brian