Naked?

Never let a friend stand alone... In response to Frieda's Dread of Night

 

 

 

Naked?

 

On an island

in the midst of the crowded street

Traffic lights blink

as colored tear drops hit the pavement

 

One way signs

all seem to point in your direction

casting aspersions,

via black and white arrows

 

Sidewalks filled

with throngs of gawking onlookers,

mouths wide open,

peering from the side of their faces

 

You hang your head,

chin against your unclothed chest

and you see

not one, but two shadows on the asphalt

 

Suddenly you are

draped in the finest cloth money can buy,

shielded from the audience

who now divert their attention elsewhere

 

Turning, you see a friend,

naked, as his clothing now adorns your body

waving to the crowd

proclaiming…I have faced the same fate

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Chris]

heart and imagery... a good duo on your side.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Chris.

[Chris]

I understood...

[Kelly Scheppers]

Awesome imagery, Jack. That little guy with the sword fights with an honor as majestic as the size of the demon. Brilliantly illustrated, defining the bonds of friendship!

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Kelly. I cherish my friends.

[Marie]

A wonderful tribute to friendship...which is one of the finest treasures life can offer...

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Marie.

[Dye]

What an emotional read, coming from 'Dread of Night". Your words and poetry are beautiful Jack, a remarkable way to be a friend. Sometimes all anyone needs is understanding and to know that they are not alone. You are a class act with a huge heart my friend.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Dye. I do try and be the best friend I can. Thank you so much for your kind words today. This smile I now wear is because of you.

[Diana]

Hmm..."two shadows on the asphalt?" Two selves or versions of self, perhaps?

Perhaps there is also some message about wealth and how it changes us and the people around us. This poem definitely leaves me with "food for thought."

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Diana. Actually it is about friendship and standing up for a friend who feels exposed and alone.

[Ken Simm.]

An excdellent use of metaphor and symbolism here Jack to tell a dream story.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Ken. I appreciate you stopping by.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

"who now diverts there attention elsewhere" Jack.. I would like to ask if it is really 'there' or you mean 'their'?

Anyway, that's such a lovely narrative. And it's ended rather beautifully. This is touching...my goodness! :)

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend and indeed I did wrror. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I will repair it directly. I wrote this rather quickly and posted it in haste...that'll learn me.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

You wrote this quickly? Jack....you are a pure talent. :)

[Ruth]

Those who know trials can offer love - always safe guard friends...Jack...this moved me, deeply! :)

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much my new friend. I truly believe this is how it should be, always. A friend wrote a poem yesterday about a very dark subject and told me she felt naked in front of everyone posting that poem. I wrote this to let her know she did not stand alone. Thanks again for your kind words.

[Ruth]

Excellent, sometimes that is all we need, to know we are not alone :) And you are most welcome!

[Lydia Shutter]

Two shadows on the asphault? Hmmm.....is this a spiritual thing or an actual thing? Perhaps you have saved someone from being hit by a car? Others are watching, but you acted? The message is fuzzy, but I will be thinking about this one for a while, that's for sure. Lydi**

[Jack...]

Not exactly my friend. perhaps a darker representation of friendship than your Little Girl Dreams, which was awesome by the way. Thank you so much for reading.

[Lydia Shutter]

Aha, now I see it more clearly...and thanks for the compliment on my poem. Friendships can teach us many lessons, Jack. Some of them not so pretty.

[Jack...]

Stand by your friends Lydi, no matter what.

[Lydia Shutter]

It is part of who I am and will always be.

[icelandicblue]

Oh it reminds of the quote “I complained about having no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet." Giving the clothes off your back takes on great depth in this piece. A lesson lies here without being preachy.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Anne. I always enjoy when you visit.