for Gianetta Ellis
i
if poetry’s no more
than silks of expression
schemes and tropes (t.ropes)
metaphor litotes metonymy
i spin in corners the traps
and half-truths of identity
ii
it’s taken forty years
to rid myself of guilt
that i was wired to the oral acrobatics
of the college common room
and wrote with precision the elite
musk of beef lunches with equals
before i smelt the rot of a favela
and hunger of an already decayed lolita
who offered in slurred argot
a magic tour of the universe
for the equivalent of a pound
before i bought a near-lethal high
from a designing stranger
and in a dockside pub dodged
a broken bottle coming in
one that skimmed my milk-white
educated neck missed the jugular
and the Celtic deathwish rush
iii
the merchant thinks product of labour
some sweatshop menial
bound to trot out plastic wordware
for deadlines and this week’s quota
iv
an indifferent day moon
that holds everyone once at least
and hangs at the edge of a wood
lantern with pale face
counting on a rouge of sun
v
imagination casts the constellations
in wished for figures
but things of earth are inescapable
and squirm on my skin
worm their presence into me
wriggles of grit in an eye fashioning a pearl
vi
for the child it isn’t unusual
that a battered sky under a red tent
is a Punch ‘n’ Judy show
the flash and racket of clouds a sublimation
and the child himself in the loft of heaven
the puppeteer
vii
or for me the shine on the sea
is a fallacy of chained mirrors
and childhood and now are one
the nearness of both elastic and fixed
i speak as if i’m not here or there
but suspended in a moment gasping for air
grasping love
viii
and it’s no matter if i wait or don’t
till something touches me
i accept how the skeins of spirit
tie me to a random truth off the street
to shadows of palms making
catherine wheels on the grass
or unite me with a hummingbird
whirring its need among the orchids
johnpoetflanagan 
Trips the Poetic Light Fantastic! Love your verse!
Thank You so much
Dancingpalmtrees
for that gorgeous remark.
Big Hugs
john
Your words, your words! A trip taken with you to a magical place. “…imagination casts the constellations in wished for figures”: something I indulge in every day.
I hadn’t seen metonymy (or autonomasia or synedoche ) since my school days!
Nor have I since my school days, Noelle.
I’m happy you liked the constellations and the rest of the piece.
Thank You.
Always with my best
john
“…shine on the sea
is a fallacy…”
more than a silk of expression my friend, it’s two links in a chain of your lines:
“or for me the shine on the sea
is a fallacy of chained mirrors”
I can picture the shine one the waves glittering as they roll, like chains of light. I’ve written about uncoiling skeins in yarn seas, skein also being a wonderful word you used. I very much liked this poem, not simply for the similarities, but for the interconnected beauty and meaning woven through out. Also for getting to know you a little better brother!
Best wishes John!
Ry
So kind and generous, Ry
And sensitive and insightful, you’re the real deal.
Thank You, Brother
Always
john
Why thank you John! It takes one to know one, and you are probably the realist deal I know. It seems these days I mostly only correspond on WordPress with those who seriously impress me, who I have also befriended. I should branch out my time and read more widely, but lately I have been pressed for time, with the commitments I have made to my creative friends, and to my own writing.
I admire your patience and commitment to getting out there and reading widely, though I am afraid my social prowess tends me towards being somewhat of a recluse. Maybe it’s more just what I am capable of now, and I will stretch myself more with time. I mean, I didn’t really start making actual creative friends, and reading other people’s poetry period, until I had been writing my own for 8 years.
My point though, is that I believe I can learn to be more real as a poet in creative community from you, as time goes on! For example, I need not feel I must always leave a lengthy comment that takes in excess of 30 minutes, in order to be genuine. Your comments are shorter, and yet express honest appreciation, showing that you truly read the post, and took the time to think about what was said. You’re an asset to the WordPress community John, with much wisdom to share, in your writing and your correspondence with those of us who I’m sure are also honored to be in your circle!
My best!
Ry
It is the raw power of the emotion sculpted by the heartbeat of the pen that produces the power to fascinate and entertain. The tethers of linguistics be damned. Crude and coarse when the
poison is running its course play to a stunned audience grabbing them by their throats and shaking them. No silk structured work ever replicates that emotion. Damn the tethers full speed ahead fair pen. You’ve awakened me again John my thanks for the spur! Jon Michael
What a response!
Jon, My Friend
quite stunning and marvelously put.
Thank You sincerely..
Ever Your Friend
john
A superb response
Jon, My Friend
one i cherish deeply.
Thank You
Ever Your Friend
john
It has a wonderful flow…
as I’ve said B4….u r so talented.
Gav,
Thank You for the wonderful support and praise, deeply appreciated.
Best Always
john
I love the hummingbird whirring its need among the orchids. Lovely, John.
Judy,
Thank You for reading and liking, it means a lot
for a poem that may not be to everyone’s taste or liking.
Big Hugs
john
I know. I need to read it a few more times. But this is often true of your poems and many others that contain more than surface meaning…Sometimes words are puzzles and I am an avid puzzle solver. Judy
Your 40 years…I’m learning from them as slowly as possible. Relishing your ability. This poem is just one example of why you are so easy to support and encourage. Fantastic. You excite poetry, jf. xxx Much love
Audrey,
You are kind and very generous, a fine spirit.
Thank You
Big Hugs
jf
Audrey,
this is more than generous it’s deeply said and truly felt by me,
the very grateful recipient.
Ever with my best
jf
Oh to accept the skeins of spirit. Easier said than done for some.
Lovely.
Julia,
Thank You very much for that fine comment and for reading the work.
Best to You
john
A truly original poem(or poems), John, which capture the nature of the written word excellently. It is difficult to come at this from different perspectives, but you have done so effectively, and I feel the this work could be extended to describe any artistic endeavour. Fabulous writing.
Thank You, Chris, for this warm and generous response
beautifully written i must add.
Bless You!
john
Wow, again I’m taken with breathless alertness – your words, John, capture one into the world you present and makes one a part of it, at least in thoughts of seeing similarities and truths of live that can meander with “random truths off the street”
Thank You, Ina
for a wonderful comment, most generous of you
and i am truly thankful
Big Hugs
john
Hi John,
What a lovely way to start my day! That was beautifully rendered.
Good day, my friend.
Jackie
Thank You, Jackie, so much.
and i hope your day is good for you…and all days.
My best to You
john
The fact that it is my name at the beginning of this piece fills my every cell to the brim with love, awe and gratitude. I’ve been wrapped up in your words now for so long, I would be vulnerable to the elements without them. Matters not the subject. It is the way you weave that warms me most. Ever love.
Thank You, Dear Gina
for this elegantly written response.
Know that i am honoured by your words
and honoured to dedicate the work to you.
with much love
john
Your words always carries us to places that let our imaginations roam . . . “i spin in corners the traps and half-truths of identity”
Enjoyed this work Uncle John – have a beautiful day!
and i hope your day is beautiful, too, Miss Mary.
Thank You.
Ever with my best
uncle john
You inspire me endlessly John. Thank you!
You’re most welcome, Sam,
and i Thank You for those fine words.
Big Hugs
john
John, this is an absolute delight to read, and engage in the ideas of tethers. Your ability to take my mind on such a wonderful visual and thought provoking trip is truly remarkable, thank you!
Hugs and warm wishes
Pepperanne
(My favorite, vii)
Pepperanne,
Most generous as always and ever thoughtful and considered in your
response.
Bless You!
john
John, your beautiful words continue to leave me wanting more! Your ‘forty years’ have led you to be a superb poet.
Christy,
You are very kind and i appreciate your praise deeply.
Big Hugs
john
Ah, John, you terrific master of words and imagery. Not sure how you do it, but I do love what you do with words. Please keep doing it.
Kate,
Thank You for the generous compliments, i appreciate them deeply..and yes, i’ll try to keep doing it.
Best to You
john
Each one of these eight is a poem in itself
and could stand independently if so wished.
Exceptional writing.
Harry
Thank You, Harry, very much..
Love to You and Winnie
john
Wow!! John…thanks for reminding me of all that I have missed! ❤
So generous and kind, Lorrie – Thank You.
i hope things with You and Yours are much improved and all is well.
Big Hugs
john
🙂 Great, John! We are all adjusting to the “new normal!” ❤
glad to hear that, Lorrie
take the best care
jf
” unite me with a hummingbird ” ….John , you have ! Thankyou xxxmeg
Such a fine response, Meg, and i love it.
Bless You!
john
Awesome John… I really liked the fifth way of looking at tethers ⭐
Best wishes! Aquileana 😀
Interesting that you should like the fifth best
Dear Aquileana
as that was the one i spent most time re-writing
and refining.
Thank You for your wonderful praise.
Much Love
john
This is wonderful john. It’s your style in the way you put it together. It took some time to read and take it all in. So glad you share. Hope you are well.
Thank You so much, Diane,
And great to hear from you and that you survived the Boston winter – that was quite something!
Hope all is well with You and Yours
John
Your word craft is a remarkable journey John! Reading you is like moments in a packed moved theatre, captured by and hanging on every word, every line…wanting to skip to the destination but parish the thought of omitting the journey! Marvelous!
Don,
You honour me tremendously.
Thank You for the incredible support
Always
john
Oh my, the foregoing should read “packed movie theatre”!