lumpen

Frank Prem

 

he is a lumpen man
clumsy in his doings
crude in the way he speaks
the things he sees

 

laboring
over manual movements
machine operations
the mechanics

 

noise
whine and roar and yell
and bray
so loud
over the funniest thing
you ever saw or heard

 

ho ho ho
ha ha

 

he is
a lumpen man
dirt and dust and beer
and the wind
that must be passed

 

his overalls at home
cast to the floor
in a dirty corner
of the laundry room

 

and so
to the fireside

 

each night
a match to paper
and then
the dance-dance-dancing
of flame

 

the first crackling shot
fired from a twig
alight
ignited by his hand

 

a swaying opera
that holds his gaze
each time
as if it was brand new

 

and inside himself
he rises
to sing
within the roar
of the drawing grate
the open flue

 

until
a minute gone
his eyes
have closed
on the world and the cares
of a lumpen man

 

~

  • Author: Frank Prem (Offline Offline)
  • Published: October 21st, 2017 01:14
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 35
  • User favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet.
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Comments6

  • orchidee

    Good write Frank.

    • Frank Prem

      Thank you, O. Glad you enjoyed.

    • Accidental Poet

      Awesome writing Frank. On many a evening from a long day I could be this man.

      • Frank Prem

        He's me, too, engaging with the dance when there's no energy to dance. Glad you liked the piece.

      • Fay Slimm.

        Dancing with joy amid light from the flames - your lumpen man knows how to end a good day. Frank I learnt a new adjective by reading this tribute to a clumsy "lumpen" man. Thanks muchly for sharing it.

        • Frank Prem

          My pleasure Fay. Glad you liked the piece.

        • Michael Edwards

          Brill and good on you for resurrecting a great word - think I'll use 'lumpen' sometime soon.

          • Frank Prem

            It's a cracker word, isn't it? Was fun to use it and build a character around it. Glad you enjoyed Michael.

            • Michael Edwards

              I'll drop it into casual conversation along with Cats 'selachian.

              What do you fancy for lunch darling?
              Quite fancy a lumpen selachian with new potatoes my love.

              • 3 more comments

            • Louis Gibbs

              Let me guess ... he is not a poet? Doesn't seem to fit the profile. A wonderful description in poetry of a hearty soul enjoying his life. Kudos, Frank!

              • Frank Prem

                Ha, Louis I think he likely is indeed a poet. Perhaps one I know quite well!

                So glad you enjoyed it.

              • Goldfinch60

                Super write, I could see this man and understand his ways.

                • Frank Prem

                  Thanks GF. I'm delighted he comes across vividly.



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