This week let’s try another musical prompt. Listen to the four-minute musical clip below then write a poem about it. Consider this the audio equivalent of our monthly visual prompts. Post your poem in the comments below or at least tell me if you’d like more of these.
Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
black and white movie
sleek upholstered chaise lounge
gown with sweep
fur trimmed satin slippers
carefully coifed coiffure
lady maid gathers attire
grande entrance
spiral staircase
butler bows
she offers her guest her hand
invites him to sit
offers coffee
silver coffee server
fine china cups
clink, chat, clink, sip
drama ensued from their mad passion
the piano was played into their kiss
SCENE
she was young
she was beautiful
she was talented
it was always summer back then
a world filled with laughter
holding so much promise
an idyllic time
with many debussy moments
now sadly gone
Monday morning
and the gentle notes
of Clair de Lune greet me
like the fresh air of spring
warm memories of old friends
the belief that everything
is right with the world
but it’s not
my dog doesn’t know better
as he licks my face
but this moment
in the retreat of my mind
the melody says
maybe
just maybe it could be
listen with me
bathed in the translucence
of gamboling moonbeams
the path I lightly tread
permits me no progress
a suspension
of forward momentum
I am sustained
submersed in intervals
of imaginings
moving
through dreamy musicscapes
with rhythmic ambiguity
undulations crescendoing
diminishing
drenching me
in dynamics
a pause to reflect
a momentary absence
of sound
pianissimo interludes
trilling tranquil phrases
expectation fulfilled
Children hold their breath
diving for pearls the color of
moonlight under water
The body’s great urgency is breathing.
They string the pearls for the breasts of women,
salt to nipple, moon colored liquid,
for tiny creatures swimming in the dark.
Under the ruddy shade of membrane
they have their primal dawn.
The body’s great hunger is to be enraptured.
We slake the present with waters of the future.
Molecules of water cycle traverse
the molten mantle of earth and transcend,
each drop of reddest blood rinsed clear and resplendent
in the light of return.
Spherical, dew in the desert for every leaf and blade,
humble creatures lap the beads.
The body’s great thirst is ecstasy.
The light that bends underwater
bend us, sleek children,
in water-light, lambent Mother lapped,
she smooths us as we are soothed
The body’s great accomplishment is desire .
I love this… I craft words and love their interplay, connation and form but I am passionate about music. Music relates emotion without the burden of specific context. Trying to create something with words that can approach what music does is one of the major drivers of my poetry. That is the challenge of musical prompts.
Your poem succinctly says what what poem is trying to (see above for what THAT led to) It’s currently flitting in my room, unwilling to leave. When she does, I’ll bring her here…
I am glad you like this one. This piece of music is quite rich in emotions. I listened to it a few times to write this poem. I felt the emotions straight away in the early part of the piece, then it subsided to a more calm and quiet feeling. It is a masterpiece of music.
I find the music prompt is interesting because when I read the difference takes on the same piece of music. It just shows how great an impact music to each of us.
Claude Debussy is one of my favorite composers.
I know I likely botch it up, but I learned his Arabesque. I loved that piece so much. My brother
recorded it at a Harp concert, and it was just heavenly. I’d love more musical clips, please
I love music, in particular classical music, it is hard to find link minded people in my own circle. I am blessed to be part of this community that appreciate classical music.
Meta-poem based the Musical Prompt: March 28, 2022
————————————————————————–
She was indeed breech
hopelessly tangled
with little hope of survival
of ever seeing the sun
I will not give up
let it die
not another one
not another one
With every measure
a counter is raised
struggle deep
my arms covered in
the blood of birthing
I will not let it go
How many have been lost
Life for mere seconds
a thought in a corporeal mass
reflected into dimension
reflected into reality
breathes on it’s own
then, a reflection, inverted
into a corporal mass
into a thought
She is
damaged and alive
defective and sweet
deformed and beautiful
I held her
Vernix-scented
bruised from the ordeal
Her hideous form
wonderous to my eyes
no genteel Southerner
can take you away now
not another one
not another one
I pick her up
This gossamer of love
and free her to the world
The tree had been there
for long as anybody had known
it seemed it was ours for the taking
and never need to give it back
You reach for my hand
as we scamper up the trunk
to the old branch
over the swale
where the swing will go
two adventurers seeing the world new
budding like the Cherry and the Crabapple
we lay on the branch
above the soft earth
taking in all that we can
June
I reach for you hand
as we walk toward
our old swinging tree
that still hides our secret work
Lilac and honeysuckle
Evening song, the arrival of night
Moonlight and your glistening lips
As we lay in the grass
on the soft earth
taking in all that we can
November
The brass looks out of place
the nonexistent sun should be the only hue
on a beautiful gray day
windy and cool
the scent of fallen maple leaves and woodsmoke
all the sights a world ever-new
as I lay you in the velvet and pine
under the soft earth
taking in all that we can
The tree had been there
for all as anybody had known
it was ours for the taking
and now gladly give it all back
So moving to read the ‘taking in all that we can’ line, evocative of life with its abiding, the tree, and its passing, us. The eternal grief beautifully stated.
Living Poetry 
I like these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Lisa Tomey | March 28, 2022, 8:41 AMClaire de Lune music inspired poem
black and white movie
sleek upholstered chaise lounge
gown with sweep
fur trimmed satin slippers
carefully coifed coiffure
lady maid gathers attire
grande entrance
spiral staircase
butler bows
she offers her guest her hand
invites him to sit
offers coffee
silver coffee server
fine china cups
clink, chat, clink, sip
drama ensued from their mad passion
the piano was played into their kiss
SCENE
LikeLiked by 3 people
Posted by Lisa Tomey | March 28, 2022, 9:14 AMGreat image! Very evocative of the time Debussy wrote the music.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 28, 2022, 7:31 PMHmmmm I see Gatsby…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 29, 2022, 3:43 AMshe was young
she was beautiful
she was talented
it was always summer back then
a world filled with laughter
holding so much promise
an idyllic time
with many debussy moments
now sadly gone
LikeLiked by 3 people
Posted by Cressida | March 28, 2022, 9:51 AMVery nice! Another throwback to the Belle Epoch. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 28, 2022, 7:46 PMa musical Monday
Monday morning
and the gentle notes
of Clair de Lune greet me
like the fresh air of spring
warm memories of old friends
the belief that everything
is right with the world
but it’s not
my dog doesn’t know better
as he licks my face
but this moment
in the retreat of my mind
the melody says
maybe
just maybe it could be
listen with me
LikeLiked by 4 people
Posted by Dennis W. Gray | March 28, 2022, 11:04 AMVery nice positive poem Dennis, Fleeting moments of happiness to be cherished
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Posted by Cressida | March 28, 2022, 11:54 AMLove the canine intervention! Great stuff!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 28, 2022, 7:48 PMinterlude
bathed in the translucence
of gamboling moonbeams
the path I lightly tread
permits me no progress
a suspension
of forward momentum
I am sustained
submersed in intervals
of imaginings
moving
through dreamy musicscapes
with rhythmic ambiguity
undulations crescendoing
diminishing
drenching me
in dynamics
a pause to reflect
a momentary absence
of sound
pianissimo interludes
trilling tranquil phrases
expectation fulfilled
emotion evoked
a heart
unmasked
LikeLiked by 4 people
Posted by amyhadley2180751 | March 28, 2022, 4:31 PMLovely! Especially the second stanza. Great work!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 28, 2022, 7:50 PMIt did evoke emotions.
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Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 29, 2022, 3:45 AMMoon at Salt Water
Children hold their breath
diving for pearls the color of
moonlight under water
The body’s great urgency is breathing.
They string the pearls for the breasts of women,
salt to nipple, moon colored liquid,
for tiny creatures swimming in the dark.
Under the ruddy shade of membrane
they have their primal dawn.
The body’s great hunger is to be enraptured.
We slake the present with waters of the future.
Molecules of water cycle traverse
the molten mantle of earth and transcend,
each drop of reddest blood rinsed clear and resplendent
in the light of return.
Spherical, dew in the desert for every leaf and blade,
humble creatures lap the beads.
The body’s great thirst is ecstasy.
The light that bends underwater
bend us, sleek children,
in water-light, lambent Mother lapped,
she smooths us as we are soothed
The body’s great accomplishment is desire .
LikeLiked by 3 people
Posted by ts19page | March 28, 2022, 5:07 PMWow. Love that final stanza!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 28, 2022, 7:52 PMI do agree with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 31, 2022, 4:40 PMDiminuendo
I stand
Under the red silk cotton tree
replay the journey of our life
in specks of blossom
hung high
in the azure sky
The rush of new love passion
The heartbreak sharp pain
The resigned regrets
The hope filled spring time
There is no word
that encompassing
all this fullness
of life
Let the music
play on
in ebb and flow
relive every moment
of our past
till the sky
turns grey
and my heart
sinks again
into moonlight
LikeLiked by 3 people
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 29, 2022, 3:41 AMIf this was the music of our life, we lived very well.
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Posted by Dennis w Gray | March 29, 2022, 9:52 AMIt would be a rich life indeed.
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Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 29, 2022, 4:23 PMBeautiful images, flow, and musical tone in this, really nice.
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Posted by ts19page | March 29, 2022, 11:46 AMGorgeous, especially that final stanza!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 29, 2022, 5:29 PMThanks! ☺️
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Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 29, 2022, 9:51 PMI love this… I craft words and love their interplay, connation and form but I am passionate about music. Music relates emotion without the burden of specific context. Trying to create something with words that can approach what music does is one of the major drivers of my poetry. That is the challenge of musical prompts.
Your poem succinctly says what what poem is trying to (see above for what THAT led to) It’s currently flitting in my room, unwilling to leave. When she does, I’ll bring her here…
Thank you for your poem.
LikeLike
Posted by Chris Clarke | March 31, 2022, 10:03 AMI am glad you like this one. This piece of music is quite rich in emotions. I listened to it a few times to write this poem. I felt the emotions straight away in the early part of the piece, then it subsided to a more calm and quiet feeling. It is a masterpiece of music.
I find the music prompt is interesting because when I read the difference takes on the same piece of music. It just shows how great an impact music to each of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 31, 2022, 4:34 PMClaude Debussy is one of my favorite composers.
I know I likely botch it up, but I learned his Arabesque. I loved that piece so much. My brother
recorded it at a Harp concert, and it was just heavenly. I’d love more musical clips, please
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by Kathy Jo Bryant Bryant | March 29, 2022, 8:39 PMThanks for the feedback. I may have to make these musical prompts a regular feature here.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 29, 2022, 8:41 PMI love music, in particular classical music, it is hard to find link minded people in my own circle. I am blessed to be part of this community that appreciate classical music.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 31, 2022, 4:38 PMWe’re lucky to enjoy your participation. I spend most mornings listening to classical music. Great way to start the day.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 31, 2022, 6:15 PMYou set the right tone for a new day my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 31, 2022, 8:37 PMMeta-poem based the Musical Prompt: March 28, 2022
————————————————————————–
She was indeed breech
hopelessly tangled
with little hope of survival
of ever seeing the sun
I will not give up
let it die
not another one
not another one
With every measure
a counter is raised
struggle deep
my arms covered in
the blood of birthing
I will not let it go
How many have been lost
Life for mere seconds
a thought in a corporeal mass
reflected into dimension
reflected into reality
breathes on it’s own
then, a reflection, inverted
into a corporal mass
into a thought
She is
damaged and alive
defective and sweet
deformed and beautiful
I held her
Vernix-scented
bruised from the ordeal
Her hideous form
wonderous to my eyes
no genteel Southerner
can take you away now
not another one
not another one
I pick her up
This gossamer of love
and free her to the world
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by Chris Clarke | March 30, 2022, 11:50 PMVery moving! Thank you for creating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Cassa Bassa | March 31, 2022, 4:37 PMWow. Never would’ve expect this to come from that music. Very cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 31, 2022, 6:11 PMAs I said, it’s a meta poem… I got so stuck trying to create a gentle poem from the music, I decided to go where the inspiration was. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Chris Clarke | March 31, 2022, 6:40 PMI wondered about your use of the term meta-poem. I always thought that was a poem about poetry, a.k.a. an ars poetica poem.
None the less, always follow the inspiration!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | March 31, 2022, 8:39 PMThe original poem was very frustrating but had a lot of potential. I just posted (a nearly complete) rewrite.
This darling I will not kill, with such will to live, I am compelled to oblige.
Thanks!
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Posted by Chris Clarke | March 31, 2022, 11:49 PMThe butterfly of love, is what seems to come from this, for this reader, or the birth of the poetic word. Creative ideas.
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Posted by ts19page | April 1, 2022, 12:35 PMMarch
The tree had been there
for long as anybody had known
it seemed it was ours for the taking
and never need to give it back
You reach for my hand
as we scamper up the trunk
to the old branch
over the swale
where the swing will go
two adventurers seeing the world new
budding like the Cherry and the Crabapple
we lay on the branch
above the soft earth
taking in all that we can
June
I reach for you hand
as we walk toward
our old swinging tree
that still hides our secret work
Lilac and honeysuckle
Evening song, the arrival of night
Moonlight and your glistening lips
As we lay in the grass
on the soft earth
taking in all that we can
November
The brass looks out of place
the nonexistent sun should be the only hue
on a beautiful gray day
windy and cool
the scent of fallen maple leaves and woodsmoke
all the sights a world ever-new
as I lay you in the velvet and pine
under the soft earth
taking in all that we can
The tree had been there
for all as anybody had known
it was ours for the taking
and now gladly give it all back
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Chris Clarke | March 31, 2022, 11:44 PMSo moving to read the ‘taking in all that we can’ line, evocative of life with its abiding, the tree, and its passing, us. The eternal grief beautifully stated.
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Posted by ts19page | April 1, 2022, 12:33 PMVery nice. I always love tree imagery, particularly in the first stanza. “Scamper” does not get used enough in poetry. Well done!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | April 1, 2022, 10:21 PMHere is my contribution
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Second Act Blogger | April 1, 2022, 12:16 PMLove the “creative friction” line. Great work!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | April 1, 2022, 10:31 PMThank you
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Posted by Second Act Blogger | April 1, 2022, 10:49 PM