New York Lullaby
65
Drips drop from the ceiling,
They hit the floor with feeling,
Tapping out the tune to 'I love you.'
Rivers cross my bedroom,
Flooding out my headroom,
Trying to keep my thoughts from swimming through.
Roaches on my pillow dancing, the old soft shoe.
Spiders cross my blanket prancing one-skip-two.
The humming of the pipes entrancing,
Whispering to me romancing
Telling me of you.
In the bathroom there's no window,
The flies all buzz crescendo,
The harmony will knock you off your feet.
Silverfish are sliding,
In the drainpipe they're colliding,
Man them bugs can keep a steady beat.
Plaster from the ceiling falls like snowflakes onto ice,
The creaking of the floorboards, it calms me very nice,
No matter how depression tries
To look me squarely in the eyes,
My friends give me advice.
Pigeons at my window,
Singing clear soprano,
The dust bunnies are dancing a ballet.
The ballet's name is 'Love Lost,'
Admission is at no cost,
It's playing in my mind most every day.
The ballet is a touching tale of how a boy lost love.
How he copes with losing it and the elements above,
The story's never ending,
The climax is depending,
On what his girl is thinkin' of.
Clock ticks off the hours,
Someone's taking showers,
The water washes memories down the drain.
Unreleased obsession,
Claims my soul's possession,
And plays into my mind the same refrain.
Roaches on my pillow dancing, the old soft shoe.
Spiders cross my blanket prancing one-skip-two.
The humming of the pipes entrancing,
Whispering to me romancing
Telling me of you.
No matter how depression tries,
To look me squarely in the eyes,
My friends will pull me through.
(Copyright: 2009 Christopher T. Reilly, All Rights Reserved)
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Comments
Dammit! Awesome! When's the book come out with the rest of your collection?
OH, Chris-- I loved this!! I read it through twice. I felt the beat :D I am now going to require much more poetry from you my friend ;)
Candie: Why, thank you. I can't get the tune out of my head!
dohn121: Thanks, dohn. I don't think I have enough to fill a book. I'd better get crackin'! Ha!
Janetta: Thank you so much. It is song lyrics with music, and though it is similar to poetry, I don't consider it the same. I suck at poetry...I think. Thanks for the compliment though! It does mean a lot to me, so your comment is Music to my ears!
Christoph, well this was just fantastic! I was definitely in tune with this song. I can imagine one of the jazz club performers in New Orleans jammin' to the words, swaying to the rhythm familiar to the sounds of 'Snooks Eaglin' at the Warehouse pub in New Orleans. Sounds so sweet. Bravo!
Snooks Eaglin with George Porter 'Baby Please.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZz4tW4GSU
AIDY: Thanks so much! And thanks for turning me on to that song. I really liked that!
anytime -hugs-
I hadn't heard that song either, but that's the rhythm and tune I put with this.
Hey Chris
Whatever state of mind you were in when you wrote this, I want it too! Cool as a New York alley cat, classy like a French cafe (al fresco) and sensitive like the most modern of men. I really dig this! Thanks for sharing!
Btw, I think I'm going back to the hottest hubber thread in the forums and vote for you! Damn whatever they think! LOL :D
Your stuff is so compelling and full of great images. Love the dancing insects. The poem really captures the grit, theatrics and emotion of "The City"
Chris-- I thought it was just music to me! LOL shows how much I know...Well, then, I would love to hear more SONGS from you ;)
AIDY: Hugs back at ya!
Candie: It's interesting that you imagined it as a blues song. It's not. It's difficult for me to imagine it any other way than what it is, but if it spurs your imagination towards music genre's, that's a good thing. Thanks, Candie!
Cris: As you are a master of poetry, I certainly appreciate your comment. As for my state of mind, I think it was the excitement and hope of moving to the big city to pursue a dream played against the heartbreak of leaving your first love behind. And my apartment really was that crappy, but it was huge. The roof leaked, plaster did fall, roaches ran the place, there was no window in the bathroom, etc. I had never even seen a roach before.
P.S. I'm gonna go check that thread and make sure you voted for me. lol
Tom: Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it and felt that it captured the city, which I suppose I was trying to do. Thanks!
Janetta: Me too! Ha,ha! I have one more I may publish. Another cutesy, clever one. As for the others...I don't know. If I do, you'll be the first to know. Thank you, dear!
"Silverfish are sliding,In the drainpipe they're colliding,Man them bugs can keep a steady beat."
I have to admit I just love this stanza...it just oozes off the tongue and lips effortlessly.
Not what I was expecting when I received notification that you had posted something on HP...but then again, I like surprises and this one didn't disappoint. What an intriguing state of mind you must have been in to write this...part heartbreak hotel, part Disney, reminiscent of some seedy jazz club that produces amazing talent flying just below the radar of the normal world...
I'm not going to try and analyze it though...even though my fingers are itching to do just that. :) I'll just say that I loved the imagery and the music of language that you've woven into this piece and leave it at that.
Spryte: I really love your comment. It has been amazing to me what people have seen in it, and much of it more accurate than I had thought would be visualized or felt. I love the imagery of the seedy jazz club. It felt like that. Nice to read your comments, as always is the case, even when you are less than enamored of my stuff.
*smacks Christoph upside the head* Where on earth did you get the idea that I was less enamored of this than anything else you've written? Or are you just silverfishing for a bigger compliment? :) The analyzing comment? I meant YOU...not the poem.
Spryte: You have totally misunderstood me. Perhaps I should have written, "even when you are less than enamored of my stuff, which was NOT the case here so I really adored your comment here, even more than the other ones, like the ones where I detect you are just ever so slightly, itsy bitsy, micro-millimeter like, not completely enthralled with what I have written which, I repeat, WAS NOT THE CASE HERE, because I admire you and want to fall to my knees and kiss your feet, until I learned about your feet, it being widely reported that they are not so nice, but YOUR COMMENT HERE SURE WAS, so maybe I'll kiss them anyway!"
Okay? Is that better? And no, I'm not silverfishing for anything. In fact I'm surprised that people have liked it as much as they have. I was just trying to convey that I like for you to comment on my work no matter what. Sorry if it wasn't clear. In fact, I think your comment was lovely and it made me feel especially good, but you have ruined it for me. Lol.
LOL! I ruined it for you...dang it all to Boise and back. But thank you for the clarification anyway because now I'm going to spend the rest of my day pondering which of your pieces I was less than enamored of...or seemed less enamored of...which is probably more likely than actually being less enamored of...
And btw...I distinctly remember telling you that my left foot was rather attractive. So you may commence with the kissing at your leisure.
Spryte: Aw, forget about that, would ya?
Makes me wonder what you've been doing with your right foot that led to it's demise.
Punting poetic Leos...
J/K!!!!!!!
Christoph....one of my favorites from you.....quite catchy and has a definite beat.....I could see it in cartoon vision in my head.....silverfish colliding.
Writing song lyrics takes real talent -- the rhythm is key, and knowing which words will fit and not sound forced takes someone who is really very literate, which you, Sir, most certainly are. I curtsey in tribute.
Spryte: Ha, ha. Trying to remember if I've ever been punted before....
Blue: Thanks. I see it that way sort of too, a mixture of live action and cartoon, sort of a grim, urban Song of the South. Thanks for the comment.
Teresa: Why, thank you, M'Lady. Such a kindness you have shown me. (I'd bow, but I'd probably throw my back out!)
The photograph and poetry make a beautiful duet, Christoph!
"Roaches on my pillow dancing, the old soft shoe.Spiders cross my blanket prancing one-skip-two.The humming of the pipes entrancing,Whispering to me romancingTelling me of you."
Just love your lyrical style Chris., this song literally swings along in it's own rythmn - you really are so gifted -and your words and imagination strong - get it sung!! cheers
Mindfield: Thank you for visiting and the comment!
AJcor; Thanks for your kind words. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Wow.....this is just cool....wish I had written it....so cool! Thanks!
Tom: With your song writing "chops," I'm sure you've written cooler. Thanks for the comment. It's appreciated!
awesome - congrats on #50, too!
Thanks dineane! I appreciate it!
Oh dang loved it. Love everything that comes off your pen, sighhhhhhhh. (hugs)
Thanks BP. That means the world to me. And many hugs to you!
Well aren't you just full of surprises! You should sing it, and post it on youtube so we can all hear it... maybe when you are less busy.
Hi Randy: Missed you. Um...maybe some day. I had recording of it once upon a time, lost long ago. My last foray into putting a song on HP was not so successful, which is why you won't find it here today. But I thank you. I hope you are well.
Nice one Cris and sorry about the other night, won't happen again. Just took a few personal things out on you, my apologies !
Awesome step outside your usual on HP.
Me, I'm right there, in that New York minute. Everything from the sad and sorry state of living below the mean to do what you have to do, to the depression, to the love. You put me right back in my full-of-dreams and shocked-into-reality days.
Yes, set to music. That should be a comfortable step for you. My toes are tapping and my hands are clapping, now.
Although, pigeons are more alto than soprano. ;) "Singing clearly alto" might fix it?
Thanks for a wonderful trip into a poet's mind.
I am more than a bit envious of the women that get to listen to you every day. What does your voice sound like ... I wonder ... deep and melodious, just perfect for your poetry :)
Terrific, Chris! I'm not a big poetry person but I enjoyed every word. Like someone already said, I swear that I could feel a beat in it.
I've just come from the online mag that you write for. Your train story had the same theme as this poem/song. Honestly, that story is remarkable! I absolutely loved it.
By the way, I found your toga.
BC: No problem.
Sally's Trove: Feels funny calling you that. Thank you so much for your great feedback. Leave it to you to know that pigeons are alto...can't get that by a music teacher I guess! LOL. It has been set to music, being a song I wrote a ways back, so good ear...or eye...or sense...or music teacherness! As always, your visit is most appreciated!
Aya: Charmed, I sure. Did you mean, the women that HAVE to listen to me everyday? I would like to think my voice is deep and melodious. Perhaps it is. You tell me. I can call you. LOL. Thanks so much!
Shirley: You are too kind. Glad you felt a beat...it is a song. I have been amazed at the insight and intuition shown over this in the comments, and you perhaps have topped the cake. It was not long after the event described in the story you speak of that I wrote this song. So, that's kind of stunning to me that you saw them as the same theme. It hadn't occured to me.
And now a chance for me to spread a little link love to the folks over at http://copiamagazine.com/ who have been so kind to hire me to write for them. Whatever took you there? Coincidence? And thanks so much for your compliments regarding that story. I took a chance on writing it that way and wasn't sure they would accept it, but they loved it, or so they said. I'm thrilled that you liked it and told me so. Not a lot of feedback on those things as you know. You are some kind of angel, I think!
For anyone else who is interested, the article is called Train Ride Into Myself, here: http://copiamagazine.com/CMFeatureTrainRideMyself.
P.S. Just drop that toga in the mail. I assume you are better at mailing the correct item than I am. LOL
I found the link to the magazine on your profile page, then I started scanning until I saw your name. Would have left a comment but there's no place to do so that I could see.
I hope other people will follow your link and read it, it is a wonderful piece!
Sometimes I shine my halo, other times it's my pitch fork. :)
Shirley: A closet pitch forker, eh? Thanks for going to all that trouble. Were you looking for something in particular? I would be more than happy to link you..honored in fact. Wasn't sure you would approve.
Ssh, don't tell anyone. Someday, I'll come out of the pitch fork closet but for now, no one knows - except you.
Actually, I was looking for your blog link because, for some reason, I can never remember how to find it. Hadn't been there in a little while, thought I'd peek in and see what the curmudgeon was up to.
Link me? Sounds like fun but (and this is embarassing) I'm not sure what you mean. Speaking of such things, I was going to put your link in my first comment but didn't know if you really wanted me to.
Ha,ha,ha. I don't know WTF we are talking about anymore! I meant to your content business.
Christoph - nothing I can say hasn't been said - that beat when you don't hear the music can only come from a songwriter par excellence. That rhythm's going to get us and stay with us for a long time. Would really love to hear it played!
Shalini: Thanks so much for the visit! I appreciate your thoughtful words! So glad you liked it!
I was expecting something a bit more schmaltzy what with the title, but once the roaches started dancing on your pillow, you had me. Totally unique!
Thank you, Delores! Yes, roaches eat schmaltz for breakfast. Thank you for your comment!
I don't know about you but when were talking last night, I was beyond the point of exhaustion and probably lacked all clarity. Naturally, all links are welcome and I'm happy to return the favour, sure that ProCW would, as well, thanks.
Shirley: Consider it done!
I liked this one CR, its a sad tale when the outer walls don't reflect the genuine richness on the inside and you seek that love, but shit man, when it looks like you got nuttin goin on, its hard to impress that love lost. And yeah, your friends always get you through.
Hey John. Thanks for checking it out. When there's nothing else, thats all you have. Thanks!
Hey, you're faster than I am, I only got to it this morning. The linking, I mean. The Curmudgeon has a home on the Other Talented Writers page of my site. Haven't spoken to my cohort since this all happened, so nothing has happened there as yet.
Thanks for the link love!
Hi Shirley: Linked you here on HP, on The Curmudgeon, and on Suite101. Thanks.
Wow! We are honored, thank-you. Please note the American spelling for this special occasion.
My pleasure! Um...American spelling? How do you spell "Wow" in Canada? Oh well, It is I who am honoured!
I had to bookmark this one!
Patty: Thanks for visiting! A pleasure to see you!
Huh, Chris, you are doing poetry now? ;) And New York, I love it! Just stopped by to say hello...I've been doing so (too) much writing for work these days.
Hi Lita: Not so much. These are song lyrics which I published because I haven't had so much time to write for here. Good to see you. Hello!
I just had to read this again. Yep...still love it :D
Aw, you're so nice to me. Glad you like, poor little lonely hub that it is! Thanks for coming by and making my day!
Great poem Christoph, I liked the following lines and the photo:
"The ballet's name is 'Love Lost,'
Admission is at no cost,
It's playing in my mind most every day."
Christoph, writing song lyrics like this is truly a gift.
You brought me back to my college days. I lived in a basement apartment in an an old house. At night, we would watch the cockroach rodeo. So gross, but entertaining after a few drinks.
XOXO
Cheeky
Cheeky Chick: Thanks, Cheeks! How nice of you to say. It was just after college for me, and my rundown railroad apt. in N.Y. Thanks so much for the comment!
Gee whiz Christoph you have more comments than your poem itself, oh you are a popular man, I must say. I love to come back and read your stories over, they are the bees knees.
Hi BP! Always nice to see your happy face! Not so popular any longer. lol! If I am the bees knees, you are the cat's pajama's! Luv ya!
Candie V says:
6 months ago
Fantastic - I could hear the tune! You are amazing!