Stranger To the Seasons

Starved of work his sharpened blade 
is dulled by anonymity, 
witless, drifting here and there, 
he has no true identity, 
time has no fidelity, 
and space has no consistency, 
there are no frames of reference to rely on. 

Work is the measure of the man, 
his strengths and limitations. 
Now, shrunken wallet, shabby shoes 
and shrinking reputation, 
a shadow of his former self, 
a soulless apparition all but spent, 
a stranger to the seasons.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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

Christian Avatar
January 10, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Wonderful poem, Kieth. It was one of my favorites. ~Katie
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 10, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Thanks for the visit Katie, and for your kind remarks! Best wishes, Keith
Bauer Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 8:21 PM
wonderful title, keith, and beautifully written but so sad. it happens to coincide with my mood right now so it's really getting to me. well done...
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 9:10 PM
Thanks Ilene... I sure hope you're feeling better soon. Best wishes, Keith
Godwin Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 5:49 PM
Oh, my gosh am I laughing at myself! The Sharpened Blade did not help my climb out of the gutter. I regret you will probably see my comments out of order. OK, serious head now for serious poem - I got this as a 'blue collar' poem and it relates to many I've known so it serves to touch 'nerves' and 'feelings' - it serves very well ... CayCay
Bickerstaffe Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 6:17 PM
Haha! Very blue collar... as I wrote it I was thinking of my father. Thanks again. Best wishes, Keith
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