City Loving

Cherry
Poem of the week

By Philip Sidney

Thu, 16 Oct 2014
  • 3208 reads
23 comments
 

You took me in your concrete arms -

I felt the chill of your fabrication

against my tender skin.

You scratched me,

bruised me,

won me.

 

I grew older

stronger

tougher.

You changed too,

softer

warmer.

 

I glimpsed  your pre-Raphaelite beauty

between the blocks of grey,

Victorian red brick,

swathed in green.

 

Something glittered at the corner of my eye.

You are no longer

the ghost town

of the concrete years.

 

Draped in temporary glamour,

you hold your own,

your dazzle invites

the glances of strangers.

 

I prefer those

unkempt,

hidden parts,

only a lover sees.

 

Certificate 12
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is wonderful Philip

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I am so pleased you like it!

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you for the cherries, delighted!

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Helen

This is a beautiful poem with a lot of meaning in so few words. You make falling in love with a city sound rather tempting.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Jean, I didn't mean to fall in love, it crept up on me.

Submitted by Bee on

I loved this, Philip - it's clever and beautiful at the same time.

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Bee!

Submitted by scratch on

Tip-top.  Right on form with this one Philip.  An absolute pleasure to read.  Congratulations on the well deserved pick too.  

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much Scratch!  so pleased you like it.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

This is very clever, Helen. Reminds me of looking down from the monument in London, I think it was, and seeing tiny old churches, bound around with concrete tower buildings, and the rich, tiny parks one stumbles on in any city – escape lunch spots for city workers. And in a funny way the harsh untility things, and the decorative glitter, can become warmly familiar too.  Rhiannon

 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Rhiannon, what a beautiful view you describe!

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

Mmm, I can relate to this. I am planning to reshuffle my life so that I live and work part of the week in Bristol. Seems like a big juicy peach ready and waiting for me to bite in...The secret city spots, oases of urban prettiness are better for their hidden surprise delights.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Elsie, how exciting, Bristol is a wonderful city, many delights to uncover...

Submitted by celticman on

the hidden parts...could get a bit kinky, but we'll emulsion over that. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

The hidden parts have a certain allure.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you for the little green book!  

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Superlative, Philip...even those 'hidden parts'.

Tina

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Tina!

Submitted by VeraClark on

It's incredibly true of city living and you've exposed all the best bits lusciously.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Vera!

Submitted by Parson Thru on

Hi Philip. Congratulations on this and great pick eds. I know just what you mean. Reminds me of wandering "lost" in London or lunchtime forays around Bristol with my good friend who knows so much of its history. An intimate piece that can only be written well by a lover.

Parson Thru

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Parson Thru.  My childhood was in the countryside, practically a wilderness, and my heart's still there, but I love cities.

Submitted by Parson Thru on

BTW, draped in temporary glamour. Isn't it just?

Parson Thru