Notes About The Poem

Stone Bones

Gray shrouds cover my way
sets the tone for the day.
Our silent sun sends
rays running round corners
slowly beams burn off -
melting morning misty mind.

As I tread these stone slabs
rapt in wonder of this awe,
great stone bones in it all.
Metropolis makes stirring sounds
anxiously awakens around me.
Rails screech like prehistoric birds,
wind whistles through tunnels twirling,
chatter and honks and hums.
Hear humanities' street symphony.

Parkways sever city canyons.
I cross white striped asphalt rivers,
pass primal Ponderosa stone spires.
Wary walls of glassy eyes glare at me.
Watch my droll daily drudge passively
through towering hollow statues.
I arrive to hug my office door,
seeking some soulful signal.

This inner city, my sentimental friend:
now I'm fearful this soon will end.
Put my face flush on its stone skin,
felt a mounting tear in my eye,
trickled out down between,
turned my head to kiss its skin.
Felt raspy, tasted of grit.
Like kissing a corpse.

Then pulled back and looked up
its everstill edifice to the sky.
Poses the query who am I?
And there I stood a while and thought.
How can we be one?
How can it be me?


Color Pencil illustration G. Gaul
Free Verse Philosophical look at inanimate
stone city structures and the 
universal concept of oneness.





11/17/2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Agustin Avatar
August 16, 2021 at 5:31 AM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing the depth of your mind exposed by your poetic expression... though these lines are enigmatic to me... "Then pulled back and looked up its everstill edifice to the sky." God bless you.
Gaul Avatar
August 16, 2021 at 5:37 AM
Excellent critique Beata. You got it. The grand contradiction inherent in oneness. Most think this is some poetic traipsing through New York City, but it isn't. Thanks ever so.
Goldsmith Avatar
August 15, 2021 at 10:15 AM
Congratulations on your win. Your "Stone Bones" is a wonderful story/write. Enjoy your win with blessings....................
Gaul Avatar
August 15, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Paula, the "oneness" theme is so hard to convey and so difficult to believe. Thank you for your read and commentary. Your visits are very much appreciated.
Alex Avatar
August 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Great Work. Congratulations!
Gaul Avatar
August 14, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Thank you for your visit, much appreciated.
Barden Avatar
December 13, 2019 at 5:10 AM
Best wishes and congrats for your win in John's Free Verse contest, Greg - he knows his stuff! Blessings and happy holidays to you and yours! :o)
Gaul Avatar
December 13, 2019 at 9:30 AM
Your comment is very reassuring. I respect the contests judges and the top competitors comments in evaluating my own work. Thank you for your supporting comments. Best wishes for a happy holiday to you also!
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 13, 2019 at 2:47 AM
This outstanding poem grabbed my attention and held me spellbound until the end. This is the kind of poetry I come here to read. A Fave for me Greg! This one is tops in my book. Congratulations! xxoo Mele Kalikimaka! : )
Gaul Avatar
December 13, 2019 at 9:35 AM
Connie, what a great comment! Thanks so much. I must comment as well on Kalikimaka in your note. I'll be looking for you to fit that one crazy terrific word into a poem in the future, if you haven't done it already! That's a brain tester if there ever was one. Have a great holiday!
Na Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Congrats on your winning poem Greg
Gaul Avatar
December 12, 2019 at 6:18 AM
Greg, thanks so much and congrats to you too.
Hamilton Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 10:35 AM
Congrats Greg on a magnificent free verse, loved everything about this, worthy of second place!
Gaul Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 12:28 PM
John, most appreciative of the placement amongst so many other accomplished bards. Just delighted with your thoughtful comments. There are those who don't get this poem at all. Thank you for the effort of running the contest and doing it so compassionately.
Chiri Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 3:55 AM
Congrats on your win!;)
Wolf Avatar
December 10, 2019 at 9:54 PM
Excellent questions, all: The big ones... Congrats on your placement n the contest, Greg! Cheers, Gershon
Gaul Avatar
December 11, 2019 at 1:38 AM
Thank you for your kind visit and thoughtful insights Gershon. Congrats to you as well.
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