Age 16

December '85. You're skipping school.

You read Hart Crane on a bleak stretch of beach.

The icy ocean sloshes within reach:

You shiver in the chill, but stay awhile.

 

A day for poetry and truancy.

A wind stiff as religion slaps Revere.

Sylvia Plath described the sluttish sea

Off Winthrop, not too far from here.

 

Jump on the T and head for Harvard Square

With its used bookstores. Buy anthologies

Of Modern Verse from 1956.

 

Discover Dylan Thomas's rhapsodies.

Hearing the raven cough in winter sticks—

This stuff'll burn your throat. Drink if you dare!





Poetry by Uncle Meridian The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 401 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2021-12-17 at 03:30

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D G Moody The PoetBay support member heart!
For myself this evokes what was going on in a young persons heart - new to the heady passion of discovering good poetry. It really is well written - or inspired. I also like the rhyme sequence and the succinctness of it. Nuff said - it's just damned good!
2022-01-08


Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
Your poem has been chosen to be featured on the home page of PoetBay. Thank you for posting on our poetry website!
2022-01-03


MetaPoetics The PoetBay support member heart!
A poem that celebrates the early starts and humble beginnings. Nostalgic and, at times too relatable, this is a lovely work. :)
2021-12-18


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
I like this loose, jazz-like rhyming. Nicely done!
2021-12-17


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
I think we might all have taken the last line as a challenge at that age! Indeed I did. ;)

A really nice piece of poetry. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.
2021-12-17


one trick pony The PoetBay support member heart!
4 4 3 3 is just the right structure for this intimate view of the neighborhood (and the poet).

I take the last line as a challenge!
2021-12-17