The Way We Sing

The Way We Sing

A Poem by Phibby Venable

Darling, this is your latest update
from the other side of town.
After the storm winds died
a thousand willows wept
into the hardened ground.
In the circled shade beneath their veils,
a thousand birds lie down.
And you are sleeping any place you can,
any warm jelly belly taped tight
against your own, and you write
broodingly, that you do not belong.
That you slide your trombone
and you eat from tin cans
while each day nine to five
becomes my dream, for my real life
is twenty four/seven huffing,
and shoving every penny into a house
that eats like a horse - and music!
The only music ripping through
this constant clutch of want and need
is the sound of the light switch turning
real lights on - and the mortgage?
ah, that's a smooth song, when I am able
to stay one month behind because it takes
two months for repossession.
But we were talking about you, we always
seem to - and what can you do for money.
Well, I don't know.
The only extra green I grow
is the unkempt lawn I can't afford to cut.
A lush jungle of wild birds and rich earth -
but that was never enough, never enough,
for you.

© 2011 Phibby Venable


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Reviews

It is so important for a person to tend his garden, says Aristotle.
I hope the intended reciepient received this message loud and clear.
Well done.
ASTB
Alex.

Posted 12 Years Ago


a house that eats like a horse...I LOVE that. It truly is all in the outlook, isn't it?


Posted 12 Years Ago


To me life seem like a song and dance it all depends how you hold the tune and I see a lot of that in this piece, love the choice of words they seem to blend in as you read.
Excellent write.

Posted 12 Years Ago


It's funny that the good Mr. Hart has not weighed in on this, as this is, to my mind, expanded Ed--or perhaps expansive Ed. I would submit that the first eleven lines (and, for that matter, the final eight) are as good as anything you've written.

Posted 12 Years Ago


Wonderful song, very sad and highly touching and emotional...

Posted 12 Years Ago


War is hell and life is war...only the enemies names have changed. Great writing as always love, F.

Posted 12 Years Ago


to quote a famous journalist, "and so it goes."

eloquent way of expressing the circumstances. Bravo.

Posted 12 Years Ago


ah, that's a smooth song, when I am able
to stay one month behind because it takes
two months for repossession.

what a creative and powerful look into the hard times we all face today... brilliantly surreal.

Posted 12 Years Ago


This one has a scheme that I find hard to follow but the images are wonderful. They keep me reading and wondering how things really are. The flow is bumpy in places but enlongateing them I find soft muse. Good read.

Posted 12 Years Ago


I have friends who know this song ...

this has so many great lines and a 'in your face' rhythm

Posted 12 Years Ago



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11 Reviews
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Added on September 9, 2011
Last Updated on September 9, 2011

Author

Phibby Venable
Phibby Venable

abingdon, VA



About
http://youtu.be/25XE-BHGvWI http://youtu.be/B2klgDKMUq0 I live in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Although my passion is poetry, I recently published a novel called, Women of the Round Tabl.. more..

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