Well, it's the second-to-last day of April poeming. Hoping to get another curtal sonnet today.
Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem-a-Day prompt: “It's time for the fifth (and final) Two-for-Tuesday prompt: 1) Write a ‘near the end’ poem, and/or . . . 2) Write a ‘near the beginning’ poem.”
Maureen Thorson’s NaPoWriMo prompt: “Today, we’d like to challenge you to write a poem that takes its inspiration from the life of a musician, poet, or other artist.”
Fortunately, I was successful in writing a curtal sonnet today, merging all three prompts.
Front Man Renewed
—a curtal sonnet
When Freddie Mercury announced his AIDS
diagnosis, he must have felt he was
near the end. He passed away the next thing
almost, it seemed. He thought that having AIDS
had a stigma, and Freddie must have guessed
being gay was the same. It was singing
that was his saving grace, his bright glory.
I hope at the end a brilliant sunrise
blazed in Freddie’s mind’s eye, the final thing
to turn life back to singing, his story
back near the beginning.
—Draft by Vince Gotera [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.]
Alan's poem today hits all three prompts brilliantly, without using the phrases "near the beginning" or "near the end."
Willie
Early on, you wrote of night life,
how time slips away, wanting walls
for company in crazy heartbreak,
and last year, you covered
“Angel Dream No. 2,” blessing
us with a Tom Petty song
seeming made for your voice,
as if any song were not made
for your voice. You possess them.
You refused to play Nashville’s game,
outlaw, artist, archivist,
shaman, showman, activist,
the last highwayman,
how traditional country
has evolved
while commercial country
chases any airplay
it can get.
—Draft by Thomas Alan Holmes [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.]
I love Alan's soundplay and wordplay with "shaman, showman." Some magical work, there!
Also, today is Willie Nelson's birthday . . . he's 92. What a great birthday poem, Alan!
Friends, won’t you comment, please? Love to know what you’re thinking. Thanks!
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3 comments:
Two great tributes to two legendary musicians. Vince, you're rocking those curtal sonnets this month! My subject today was a persona poem in the voice of Woody Guthrie (at least my impression of him.)
I love this!! Both of these poems are fabulous!! Thanks for sharing the link! I can't wait to see Willie Nelson at Alpine Valley in Troy, WI, in September, for his Outlaw Tour with Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow! My second time seeing Sheryl and Bob, but my first time seeing Willie---assuming he is still feeling up to it when the time comes...I love that you both captured these iconic musicians with such verbal acuity and melodic aplomb! Thanks, again!
Hello! and thanks. May I ask who you are?
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