Dick Tugwell Poet Quatrain

Notes About The Poem

Note: I have revised this poem to improve the meter and unmuddy a few lines. - DT 3/25/23

The Martian On Grape Lane

The Martian on Grape Lane

I touched the sea, the sea touched me,
not far from where the mermaids play.
Swaddled in a world where I could not stay,
I was caught in time, floating away.

I took her to York on a scheme
for love and black cherry ice cream.
Kittens, cider, the spider inside her,
her shadow strong against the wall.

The sun climaxed, the moon then waxed.
The curtains stirred, and she shivered.
Cool though the air, I had no warmth to share.
The hero's faded; Lord! I'm jaded.

Then I glimpsed
the Martian
trapped on Grape Lane.

I saw him on the street below,
my Martian lost, so far from home.
Out the door I ran and opened the gate.
The Martian turned; he stopped to wait.

The Martian's enthralled;
the mermaids have called.

Stardust and bones, the two are twined,
It's Heaven's flotsam sparked sublime,
even wasted tumbling adrift through time.
No, not this way! Yes, I will stay.

Now my feet are wet, but I don't regret,
I touched the sea, the sea touched me.

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Christuraj Alex June 25, 2022 at 1:35 AM Very interesting work. Congratulations! Dick Tugwell June 26, 2022 at 3:17 PM Thank you, Christuraj. I am pleased that Chantelle thought the poem merited her honor roll. -- DT

Susan Ashley June 24, 2022 at 8:12 PM Dear Dick, your playful, fanciful imagery enthralls my imagination. I especially adore this line; "Stardust and bones, the two are twined", but actually, so many amazing lines fill this fantastic piece. Congratulations for your excellent win in Chantelle's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Dick Tugwell June 26, 2022 at 3:15 PM Thank you, Susan. I am happy that Chantelle thought it had merit. I new the flight from a purposeless life was a bit of stretch for theme, but then Martians only get to Earth by flying. So close enough, right? ; ) The line you noted took the most time to develop. That says a lot because the poem took nearly four decades to come into being from the original scan. -- DT

Franci Hoffman June 22, 2022 at 4:30 PM I love your delightful and whimsical poem, Doug! It reminds me of a modern-day magical fairytale. Dick Tugwell June 26, 2022 at 3:11 PM The poem was in fact a whimsy at first. I saw the Grape Lane street sign while in York. The girl I was with asked me what the street name brought to mind and the rest is history. In fact, a long history, the original scan was put on paper nearly forty years ago. Only this year did I take those old bones to turn it into a tale of epiphany, reconciliation, and redemption. -- DT

Deb M February 19, 2022 at 3:39 PM Love this poem…..your name not so much!! Ha……Debx Deb M February 19, 2022 at 6:50 PM DT……it is! X Deb M February 19, 2022 at 6:49 PM Ha…..you’re funny! But serious I think not! Dick Tom and Harry are fine names indeed….but Dick “Tugwell” I think not!! Hehe…..!!!! Debx Dick Tugwell February 19, 2022 at 5:22 PM Hello, Deb. Tom, Dick, and Harry were fine nicknames when I was a youngster. Then there was my Uncle Dick and cousin Dicky. But if you prefer to avoid the name, DT is fine by me. As for your comments on two of my poems, I am delighted that you enjoyed them. As I get the hang of this forum, I am looking forward to reading your work. -- Regards, DT