Notes About The Poem

Welcome To the Bijou

Welcome to the Bijou

Sometimes the creepiest places are old.
There’s a smell to them of stale nicotine
and rancid oil.

The denizens are often as ancient
as the peeling wallpaper.
The plaster cracks mirror
the wrinkles on their faces,
stale faces with 
down dropped corners.

Layer upon layer of age
ground in   dirt flecked, peppered
perpendicular 
boxes and scaffolding
sucked dry by time, tasteless;
their visual appeal long gone
to celluloid.

The walls don’t talk
and few ask the opinions
of the bone sacks
wandering in and out.

The untold and asked for stories
hide like ghosts, shimmering 
in the ancient incandescent lights
liver spots on the skin,
fish hooks in the eye        floating
suspended
and powerless like flies in amber.

There are those who have always been 
	mesmerized by age

absorbing filmed content
	wallowers in times leftover scraps,
those who bring their own infusion.
They are the catalyst of forward motion
pendulum pushers, who spew curiosity
into the dark corners
	for those who follow this path
 	there is beauty, most certainly,
in the crinkled planes.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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

Haight Avatar
February 9, 2015 at 3:21 PM
Debbie, I felt as though I was there, ...although I never have been...wonderfully descriptive imagery and commentary. Hugs, Sandra
Chakrabarty Avatar
February 7, 2015 at 11:02 AM
I am truly amazed..Eliot comes to my mind..It's a wonderful poem Debbie. My fav. You are my fav poet. A true poet. Love. Thank you for this poem..rajat
Kiser Avatar
February 5, 2015 at 5:47 PM
I have a new favorite poem and guess what it is...beautifully crafted. I can see the people gathered there, smell the staleness and hear the interwoven voices.
Pickett Avatar
February 5, 2015 at 9:42 AM
Debbie, It is heart warming to once again to read your work...Well done and very descriptive.. Taz
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