Smuggled Art
A poem
I slipped a counterfeit poem
under the brim
would use it as a decoy
if pushed
declared I had nothing to declare
she looked sympathetic
as she asked me to remove my hat
looked puzzled
by its collection of bus tickets
and bookies’ dockets
are you a poet sir
she challenged
certainly not I replied
replacing my hat
secretly pleased with her question
glad she hadn’t turned the tickets over
or checked the napkin in my back pocket
© alexander 2023
Views: 1595
I think this is quite intriguing. I was entertained reading it, but can’t somehow get away from the thought that I am missing something. (I probably am. That’s me!) Nevertheless, in the good old writing tradition I am left wanting to know more: Like, for example, what on earth is on the napkin! Well done.
Ah well, griff in those days most of my poems started off on napkins, tickets or whatever scrap of paper came to hand. Thanks for the read and comment. A
Aha! I actually got the napkin bit because I was exactly the same. When I started writing the poems came so thick and fast, while driving, in the shower, eating out etc, so anything that came to hand was utilised.
Sadly these days I have to sit and ask for a poem and wait patiently to see if one comes 🙂
An interesting peep into your world.
Alison x
Well, a peep into one of my alternative worlds at least.
I’m sorry you are waiting; perhaps you have already become the poem that has accreted to itself immunity from distraction. Instead of absorbing light you could try reflecting it. Keep it pure. Alex.
A lovely viewpoint. 🙂
The things one uses to smear poetry on when one is desperate.
Nice work, Alex. Imaginative piece. I look forward to your further submissions.
An adroit, delightful and unique conceit – at least I’ve never seen poetry described as an art so precious/valuable you’d have to pay duty on it when crossing from one country to another (Smuggled Art; declared I had nothing to declare). I read this out loud several times and found, depending on the perspective I assumed, amusing or tongue-in-cheek cloak and dagger, that it has a repetitive underlying rhythm which adds to its charm and effectiveness. From the amused view: what a character your speaker is with his love of gambling/risk taking shown by his collection of bookies’ dockets and… Read more »
What a delightful comment and close reading Belcanto; thank you. Of course it’s easier to smuggle a song in your heart than a poem in your hat – as long as you can disguise the enigmatic smile from the authorities! Alex