Papa Brooks

"Tu-ra-lu- 
       ra-lu-ra" 
his baritone, 
breathy, 
wafts of Bushmills whiskey. 

His skin, the dead leaves 
caught 
in a fall wind 
and mist 
on some random summer 
Monday 
that blanketed 
the rising 
monoliths of a 
slow town. 

Hands 
of knotted oak 
sweat dirt 
over faded blue jeans, 
grasp an old gold tone 
pocket watch 
that flecked 
sparks, 
opened and closed. 

The scent of 
those hands, 

sea salt and grey flannel 
sweet opium pipe smoke, 
ephemeral 
apparitions caught between 
shifting rays of sunlight. 

As he waltzed home, 
he would 
pick 
pennies 
off of the frozen tundra, 
one 
for each daughter. 

Copper wishes 
blown, 
across their 
half carved palms.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2005

Poem

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

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace