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) - Published: October 21st, 2017 01:14
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 35
- Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet
Offline)
Comments6
Good write Frank.
Thank you, O. Glad you enjoyed.
Awesome writing Frank. On many a evening from a long day I could be this man.
He's me, too, engaging with the dance when there's no energy to dance. Glad you liked the piece.
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.
My pleasure Fay. Glad you liked the piece.
Brill and good on you for resurrecting a great word - think I'll use 'lumpen' sometime soon.
It's a cracker word, isn't it? Was fun to use it and build a character around it. Glad you enjoyed Michael.
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.
mmmm new potatoes ...
With mint and a knob of butter ...mmmmm! Oh and lumpen salachian of course.
Yum!
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!
Ha, Louis I think he likely is indeed a poet. Perhaps one I know quite well!
So glad you enjoyed it.
Super write, I could see this man and understand his ways.
Thanks GF. I'm delighted he comes across vividly.
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.