
All The Dragons Are Slain
It’s a small view, a leaded window on sloped roofs heavy with snow, and there’s a lightness of white filling the room. He’s ashen cold, the same as yesterday, winter on winter dipping deeper into blankets. Our poet, he’ll not fight the world today, his walking stick idles against the wall. On a better day, he’d slip it under his arm, and limp into his own weight. Old injuries. War’s attention. This soldier turned pauper and poet.
No poetry or poverty is consolation for devil-claw
hunger and cold, but he is encouraged by words
although his stove has no fuel. Choices – to freeze,
or set flame to his ballads, and torch his rhymes.
He’ll stay in his bed, under a woollen blanket,
a cap on his head, and his books at his side.
Hung above his bed, an umbrella hooked
to the ceiling. It keeps away the debris,
the falling plaster and dust,
drip-on-drip of rain soaking
through the roof. Winter, it
changes the shape of rain.
His knees are bent to
support sheets of paper,
he writes, he counts on
his fingers slow syllables.
Lines scribbled on the wall
from inspired dreams,
notes, marks and words
carved like a memory.
But his dreams lack mystery,
and his dragons are all slain.
Written for Miz Quickly’s Saturday project. The instructions are too lengthy to mention here, but pop over to the Saturday prompt and join in. The image is The Poor Poet is by Carl Spitsweg, 1837. Shared with #APoemADay on Twitter © Misky 2021
29 responses to “Miz Quickly’s 12 December 2021”
This is amazing, Misky. I love the progress you make from prose to poem to poem. And so many wonderful images. There are fabulous lines in every version. Some of my favourites are:
On a better day, he’d slip it under his arm, and limp into his own weight.
Choices – to freeze,
or set flame to his ballads, and torch his rhymes.
Winter, it
changes the shape of rain.
his fingers slow syllables.
It’s not a complete list but it is a summarised demonstration of how much I enjoyed it.
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I’m absolutely delighted. This one I found a real challenge. Thanks so much, Worms.
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Yes, I admit, I have read the instructions multiple times and been quite bamboozled. Now, having read yours, I feel less intimidated but also like perhaps I need to start with a different artwork because I don’t want to copy yours. So I might do that.
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😂 I wouldn’t guarantee that I have the instructions correct either. I spent Friday scratching my head, and looking at that cat. 😂
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LOL!!! Yes, I looked at that cat too. What a self-satisfied prig of a creature. LOL
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I love that word: prig. 😂
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😀
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btw I finally produced a sonnet for the bunny. I figure, Miz Quickly’s prompts are so interesting … it doesn’t matter if I can’t get something out that day. I can keep going back to them.
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I keep my Miz favourites in a folder and recycle them when my brain goes numb. 😂
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It’s a good idea!! 💡 💡 💡
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Wow… Misky, you really brought this character to life! This is delightful.
❤
David
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Thank you! ❤️💕
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Thisreminds me of an ornament my grandma used to have.
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I’m intrigued. What sort of ornament?
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Actually it was a tailor bent over some ridimentary sewing machine. But wearing very much the same attire as your image.
China or porcelain, but it can’t have been worth anything as they were not rich people.
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I think I know the type you mean. My mum had one with a postman delivering parcels in the snow.
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That hatred you have of cold has helped you produce a marvellous poem again. Rounded off with a very poignant ending.👏
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Thank you! Glad you liked it, Hobbo!
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He he he. I loved it.
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Wonderful imaginings here Misky. Your talent is amazing. I didn’t put mine up here because I didn’t follow Barbara’s directions. I bow at your feet.
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Well that’s embarrassing. Get up for heaven’s sake. 😂😂
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You need more practice with your royal gratitude. 😂😂
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😂😂🤣 Quite right. It’s pantomime month ,isn’t it. Every Tom, Dick, Harry wants a crown. 😂
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Well, Harry anyway, too bad for him (groan)
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Sorry, not a fan of his or meghan
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I used to adore Harry, but he’s turned into a right whinging pillock. I haven’t much interest in either now, so no need to be sorry.
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Thanks.
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I really enjoyed the evolution of your writing. The descriptions are really stunning. You brought the poet to life.
I finally got around to this Quickly prompt though I did a shorter (OK I just didn’t follow the directions) version.
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Thanks, Jules 💕
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