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Bench Buddies

Disruptive thoughts of life intruded upon the peaceful scenery of the Sunday park
as a slow-moving sad faced old gentlemen
frozen by the years of solitude 
made small talk
with the chattering afternoon bird crowd.

Reclining in a death pose upon the bench
he frowned at the sky 
as the sun forced him out of his pretended grave shell
and the passing breeze gently prodded him
with thoughts of decay. 

"I was free once,” the wind whispered
“before the soft feather down of clouds framed my presence with sea swirls and land rot.
Now I am told where to blow. 

Gone are the days when I skimmed over the ocean in limitless contemplation of all life. 

The East?
The East always demanded more of me than I was willing to give.

The West?
The West loved me for the legends I blew through their land.

The North?
Yes, The North owns my heart, and always will.

The South?
The South never wanted me. Though they were always glad whenever I showed up. 

That is my tale. So move over my old friend.
Let me rest my weary bones beside you.
Share in your pain. 

Until the dark mistress arrives
To cover our presence
With the black light Of obscurity."

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
Review Request (Direction): 
How was my language use?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Last few words: 
Does it come alive for you?
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

I get the title. I’m not sure it’s right though. The poem itself is beautiful.

Tim

Thanks so much for your great comments my friend. Bench Buddies just describes the relationship between the old man in the park and the wind, who is more or less the only thing keeping him company. As the wind blows by, it sits and talks with him.

I mean, I think it fits better than anything else I could place there. But if you can come up with something else, I'd be willing to change it of course.

Thanks again for yer remarks, my friend.

Always a pleasure hearing from you.

Take care.

author comment

I like the personification of the four winds. such is life and its tracks.

*hugs, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

Thanks very much for that Cat. I enjoyed hearing from you.

Take care.

author comment

Thank you very much, Bilbo. I loved hearing yer comments about my little personification here.

They're very appreciated.

Take care.

author comment

echo all the comments above. Very well done, the title is just a little tiny flippant for the story, but I can't think of another that will suffice. ~ Geezer.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Well, thanks so much for yer very enjoyable comments my friend. I really dug what you had to say. And yes, the title may seem just a bit commonplace for such a poem. But it's only cause I wanted the poem to totally speak for itself without the title detracting from it.

But, I may still try and come up with another title that describes the poem in a more powerful way.

Thanks again for yer input, Geeze.

Great hearing from you.

Be well.

author comment
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