without stiffness of protocol
and banner of investiture
with no consecration of hands
or dub of metal on a shoulder
slums were bulldozed clear
the displaced housed
cities dropped their noisy voices
bridges crooned a wind music
statues no longer deferential
doffed their white gloves
each street and corner swept
every pigeon roosted
parks in eternal summer
greener than ever i saw them
flowers sprucing the hour
and the sky under azure orders
dreams tease
but make no promises
they are their own flow
arhythmic flux without seconds
and don’t care if they solidify
the liquid logic of desires
what happens happens
putting spirit first
not pretending to grasp a mind
that pins comfortable fixed colours
to an uncertain mast
it takes will to separate
from the longing for imperatives
more than a conscious hour
or a thought to do just that
and it’s no victory or defeat
to give up struggles not worth it
my want is selfish
without sweat or recollection of turning
to wake deadweight soft and snug
like children in the morning are
when we go to stir them
johnpoetflanagan 
I really like this. My favorite verses:
“dreams tease
but make no promises”
Thank You
Cyan,
thank you very much for reading and responding.
Always
John
Hello friend. Will you tell me more about this? Is it longing for dreams? Or what dreams are? Sleepless in Singapore?
Thank You, Julia
for your response.
No, not sleepless in Singapore but the other two questions are certainly valid. I was thinking more of our missed opportunities, what might have been
had the idealism of our youth manifested itself in reality.
I appreciate it deeply when a reader responds the way you have with genuine interest.
My very best to You
John
We’d probably all have shorter life spans if our ideals manifested. Love this verse.
Now there’ s an interesting idea
Missed opportunities have a way about them, don’t they? A valid moment when looking back, John. xx
Audrey,
Thank You for this fine response.
Big hugs
John
every pigeon roosted…..
i love pigeons.
Gavin,
Thank You once again for the support.
My best
John
Well this is packed with symbolism, John: the longing for our pasts to remain constant and for change to be only as we want it, and for our ideals to materialise. The more I read this the better it gets – a classic, I feel!
Chris,
You’re more than generous, truly.
And as usual you’ve seen into the life of the work.
Ever
John
Hallo John….
wonderful Poems ❤
Wish You nice Time…with love from Lis
Hello to You, Lis,
and thank you for the compliment.
Love to You
John
Bravo well written Dear John
and it’s no victory or defeat
to give up struggles not worth it
that wisdom could live for ever
best wishes
Fais, once more I thank you for your support
and am happy the poem resonated with you in some measure.
Always
John
Our minds our a Tempest , tossing the fragments like a shipwreck that disappears over the horizon. This is a recurring dream- well worth several reads.
Are”
Thank You, Diane,
for such a thoughtful and encouraging response.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
My best to you
John
Your poetry gains so much with those progressions through enumerations… That’s a classic by you, kind of your own signature…
My favorite verses here are
you & I/ horizons
fall/still
perspective
Sending you my very best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Aquileana,
You are support and encouragement and I value your response each and every time.
Yes, it is in many respects a signature poem for me as I look at the state of the world at present and how far we have fallen; of course there many good people ‘out there’ trying to make a real difference but right now they seem to be heavily outnumbered.
Looking forward to Your next posting, it’s sure to cheer me up.
With love and respect
John
Love it John. Maybe you are tired of me saying this, your poem is beautiful and moving!
Never tired of any response from You,
Dear Indah.
Bless you always
John
John, beautiful always, sad and reflective. My favorite lines,
“and don’t care if they solidify
the liquid logic of desires
what happens happens”
Warm wishes,
Pepperanne
Yes, Pepperanne,
there’s a degree of sadness in the work together with disappointment and frustration; we always as a species have the opportunity to do better but we seem to be failing – a certain amount of failure is inevitable but we are failing as far as I can see far too much.
Sorry for going on.
My very best always
John
A lovely, rather wistful poem, a look back with some regret…beautifully and sad without a hint of maudlin, I find the final lines stunning:
like children in the morning are
when we go to stir them.
wow!
Thank You, Holly, for your sensitive response and a special thanks for mentioning the final lines; writers aren’t supposed to have favourite lines in their own work (who sez?) but I do admit I’m more than fond of the closing of this poem and ‘fought’ with myself a while over the lines.
You take the very best care, you are so worthwhile.
Ever
John
Thank you John, what a beautiful poem, you made me think about all those uncertain masts, and whatever had been pinned to them… and I have to admit that I would love to live those days and dreams again:)
Love
Inese
Inese,
So kind and generous, Thank You.
Ah, those days that will never come again..but we have to keep going.
Bless you!
john
A lovely dream indeed, John, and I’m especially fond of :
“my want is selfish
without sweat or recollection of turning
to wake deadweight soft and snug
like children in the morning are
when we go to stir them”
Friend Willow,
THANK YOU
Big hugs
john
Where serenity is oft cradled in luxurious clouds pristine of concept and desire. Surely the magician of slumber prepares those half-way houses of reality and want just for sleepy old men such as myself John. Thank you for this affirmation in poetic form.
Such a well-written, meaningful response,
Jon, My Friend.
Always there for me.
Ever Your Friend
john
Wonderful writing John, especially “it’s no victory or defeat to give up struggles not worth it.” For me, it’s stepping back and realizing when it’s time to say enough is enough ~
Thank You
Mary
and especially for those lines you chose,
i admire your sensitivity and wisdom
Bless You!
john
John, this is a very touching poem. It made me feel content. Serene even. Such a good post. What a pleasure to visit you. Hugs, Barbara
Thank You
Barbara,
thank you so much for this fine response
and a big THANK YOU for reblogging the work,
i am in your debt.
Hugs
john
No debt my friend. You did a fine job. Hugs, Barbara
Reblogged this on IdealisticRebel's Daily View of Favorites.
A poem of deep feeling and great truth. The writing, as ever, exceptional.
Those final lines are brilliant.
Harry
Harry and Winnie,
Thank you both
Love
John
Life rarely goes as we would wish it but indeed that is ‘no victory or defeat’ because one of the elements that makes living so awesome is the tangents, and where they can lead us. I offer you by example a couple of ex-pats like ourselves living in the wrong/right hemisphere!
From a particularly well-crafted opening, allusion, articulation and filigreed language make this poem a hugely enjoyable read. My compliments John.
Such a fine response, Mike, to a work that’s not to everyone’s liking (I won’t share the emails).
Thank You for your sharp mind and your generous heart, I’m very grateful for both.
My best always
John
dreams tease but make no promises they are their own flow–captures me. The truth told so gently.
A fine sensitive comment, Myra,
for which you have my sincere thanks.
Big hugs
john
I can interpret this lovely poetry in several ways, still I come to a poignant, perhaps melancholy. conclusion, yes, a want to return to a time past…please forgive my imagination, it runs wild at times. Here; a work of art:
“my want is selfish
without sweat or recollection of turning
to wake deadweight soft and snug
like children in the morning are
when we go to stir them”
many hugs John.
Aptly titled poem, Brother John. The landscape of past opportunities is truly like a dream. Wonderful last lines:
my want is selfish without sweat or recollection of turning to wake deadweight soft and snug like children in the morning are when we go to stir them
A new day, innocent in its newness.
Such an astute and relevant comment
Brother David
Thank you
Your Brother
john
and it’s no victory or defeat
to give up struggles not worth it
Oh My, John, that line alone holds a universe of wisdom to contemplate. The problem with most of us is we don’t understand that sometimes giving up is more courageous than being determined to overcome. Always the best poetry from you.
You see to the very heart of matters,
Belle,
and for that I’m truly grateful.
Thank You for your generosity and let me say again how delighted I am to have you here on WordPress, really happy.
Big hugs
John
Beautiful John, we may dream of simplicity, yet we awake to reality and trudge the road to a happy destiny. Great poetry, as always.
Sincerely,
Dawna
Thank You,
Dawna
Thank you very much
Big hugs
John
“Yesterday is but a dream,
Tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”
Thank You
Mihran
Best wishes
John