LITTLE MAN OF HEART
The following poem comes from Read Write Poem’s prompt #82 – an ode to homunculus, or “little man”. I blame myself for this prompt. As it stands, the poem is definitely a work in progress – and to think the original draft had to do with a man losing his toe in a lawn mowing incident.
LITTLE MAN OF HEART
What if this song never ends? If we stay long past
the DJ breaking his tables, the rest of the dancers
gone home, the lights turned out, the sky’s lights
done the same? Even the moon – full tonight –
clouded away so everything we know goes black?
I have my eyes closed in this moment. I don’t know
if these what ifs are true. The music still goes.
There are clod steps on the parquet floor.
A breeze through a window says there’s light left,
as if daytime breezes differ from those of night.
Between us, where no space slips through skin to skin,
there are at least three heartbeats – yours, mine,
and some other. I can’t say what it is. A thing borne
from our centers, borne of music and light that will
walk us home when we wake.
-
Tags: love poem, Portland poem, Portland poetry, RWP


I love the way you manipulate light and sound, stillness and movement here. Well done, Dave.
Thanks Nathan – I enjoy a good dose of manipulation here and there.
Yes, very well done. I concur with Nathan. I really want to see your toe poem, too. I bet you didn’t save the draft. Humpfh.
Re-reading that final stanza. It’s beautiful and moving.
I have three drafts saved – I’m going to be working on it tomorrow and this weekend…in THE DOJO!!!
Very enjoyable…
Thanks for the kind words, Mark.
Liked the second stanza!
abstracting
I enjoyed alllllll of this Dave
I especially love your last stanza and the reference to a third heartbeat, a thing created between the two lovers. Good write.
-Nicole
http://ravenswingpoetry.com/2009/07/10/mutiny-in-six-parts/
Thanks Nicole – I appreciate you chiming in.
Hi,
I must say you have done a good job. I agree with Nicole, the second stanza and the third heart beat creates suspicion for the readers.
Thank you, Custom.