Cloudthings

Sep 05, 2009 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

12 string puppet

Carve me from the edges of your memory
You whisper potent orchids to us all
They linger but we cannot tell their authenticity
Nor how many you bestow
You plumb the new condition
You said the timing never seemed to bring a door
But you court me and feel sure

You bounced me from your strings (harmonics)
A marionette completely at your whim
You sung me through your verses
Let me rest in your refrain
So soon familiar
I know your sound
And love to hear it all the same
Less painful over time, like a softening of your name

You were always in the wings
For different reasons
And I, besotted baby
Barely in my teens
But you took me anyway
And touched every string between
(Polished the machine-heads
Your soft cloth to my bridge)
I have 12 the same as yours
I watch you strum them out to carry you to Babylon’s tower
The one I dream of building every day
You always left me with far less to say

I always felt that was a gift

— Cloudthings, Sep 05, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Australia, regional Victoria, AUS

Favorite Poets: So many... Rumi, Spike Milligan, Keats. Many of the Neopoet clan, past & present. A myriad of song writers, Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lior, & I must add the poetic influence of painters, sculptors & creators across the world... Life really, especially the sky.

Critiques

Seren

16 years 9 months ago

The musical muse is strong

The musical muse is strong in this one Anni :) loved it ... Kind regards Jayne :) "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall" ...

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

you might relate to this then given your history

Hi Jayne, I answered these backwards as I found them in my inbox, apologies for that, Ah well, you might relate to this then given your history... bet you have one of those sexy raunchy rock voices... totally guessing, I'd love a voice like that... My fave would have to be Beth Hart in that Ilk... I'd die for the guts & beauty of that woman's voice... I tend to get Joni & Kate Bush & Maddy Prior, though it varies so much people are funny how they pin your voice, depend the style I'm singing too, makes sense I guess, I do almost all the major genres execpt country. Hope you're feeling good Jayne, ta for popping in & leaving stars, still dragging my heels in this one I feel though, there are bits I don't mind. Anyway, it's your turn to shine honey, you're doing amazing things. xx Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Geezer

16 years 9 months ago

Wish That....

I wish that I had such a musical background. I played a little guitar years ago, but haven't touched one for a long time and probably have forgotten most of what I knew. I was self taught, and never learned a lot, but it was fun. I also played drums a little. Was never much good at that though, most likely because I had to do it quietly! Imagine that! Playing drums quietly! I loved the music that you played in this poem though and just wished to say that it was really a nice thing to see that you were so encouraged. Maybe I will take up guitar again some day. Great music! Gee

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

I can see you with a banjo, or a uke, or a piano accordian...

Hi Gee, I can see you with a banjo, or a uke, or a piano accordian... something jolly... bet you'd play a mean pair of spoons! Yah quiet drums would be tricky, was it neighbours or family? I remember when I was 16 in a share house my friend was learning banjo, he'd practice in the bathroom with towel stuffed in the back of the banjo to muffle the sound, learning cello was pretty hideous too, & Geordi (my son) & I started cornet (when he was about 6) used to make us laugh a bit, all those farty sounds, we were bad! I'm taking the Otters to their first music camp in a few weeks, you can try a load of instruments at beginner thru to advanced, & there's lots of singing & dancing, you'd have a ball, last year I fell in love with Bodhran & had to add it to the instruments I play half good, the year before it was the Tango workshop that captured my heart (damn sensual stuff even at beginners), This years theme is Romany gypsies, lots of passion & partying, last year was "Bollywood" so much fun. Hope your feeling much better. Happy birthday to yr wifey xx Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Worldwide Freeride

16 years 9 months ago

Acoustic anarchy!!!!

Okay okay okay... I can see a flurry of fingers flexing, plucking, struming... and I am sure you have a plectrum between your teeth too! Now you have got to be a musician of some kind to written this? What stringed instrument is it? I seriously doubt it is a cello, violin, viola, double bass or even a lute or sitar of sorts... most guitars have six strings so I am a little stumped as I can't imagine this being a harp either lol! Go on tell me, I can't help being thick and... I can't handle the suspence!! The write itself is brilliant I love the carve me from your memory line... it is like striking a cord in sonorous sound and letting it reverberate in your ears as it resounds in your mind pulling your thoughts out in tone and melody... and there as the music hits a crescendo a full rolling poem comes from silent lips. Music is very much moods... and you play often to what lies in your heart or head, be happiness or sorrow... getting people to pick up on the vibe you are trying to convey is something you are extremely good at. All in all I think you have a brass band accompaning you here to do some backing music... as you let it flow out of you in expressed grace here with brilliant metaphor and musical backtone. Excellent... I am beginning yo think you are a multi-talented artist... do you paint and dance as well? Do you organise plays and thearte too? If not then take it to the stage anyway... and play to your hearts content. Dale :)

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

I spread myself too thin to be very good at any of the instrumen

Dale you flatter me so much, I do feel humbled really, the callibre of my writing has deteriorated recently partly due to far less time & energy for writing... But it is a pleasure to read your comments & again, I feel honoured. You are very perceptive but I spread myself too thin to be very good at any of the instruments I play, & I rarely accompany myself anymore since I am surrounded my a myriad of extremely talented musos who generously play so I can just immerse myself in singing. To answer your queries, I have had some time playing harp actually, & cello as well (that is my true desire, but I have loaned my cello to a friend for the last couple of years because I live in a small rural town & have no teacher close enough by to make it an option)... The guitar mentioned here is my Takamine 12 string (4 of the strings have octave partners & the 2 highest strings have unison partners, I love that sound), I fell in love with a muso when I was 15years old, we have been good friends ever since (over the years it broke my heart a number of times, & now I feel I am safely over the crush, but not the love, we have so much history), he moved to Tasmania (Australias biggest island, the bendy little triangle at the eastern bottom) 10 years ago, but visited recently. Anyway, I have a multitude of instruments, but as I said, I am master of none, sadly. & yes, I have written songs most of my life. &, again you are right, I used to lecture drama before my son was born (it was not my main forte, but I did a double major which included Performance studies, but my main subjects were Social psychology & Recreation programming). Currently I do far less, facilitate a choir, teach singing, wedding singing & odd performances (with a wide variety of collaborations) when they arise... enough to bore you with now, & you with your lovely eloquently penned responses. I should find you some good examples of 12 string playing, but it is late.. Leo Kottke would be the most famous 12 string master I think, you could search it on Youtube. Hope you enjoy if you do. (Actually one of my fave 12 string works is Led Zeplins "Bron-Yr-Aur" (not the more recent stomp, the version from "Physical graffiti" - I fell in love with it when I was about 7 years old & I think it shaped my love of 12 strings). Oh dear you've started me off! Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Worldwide Freeride

16 years 9 months ago

Master of all and none...

My dear Anni, me thinks you are being a tad modest, a rather good trait to have, but you must realise how much of a good writer you are. And if this isn't your best then good lord you should have book published in your honour by now! Just think about this just a second... I honestly don't know much about you (although i think i am going to enjoy finding out lol!) yet with the way you write and express yourself managed to pick up on some of thing that you do... not because I am perceptive but because I can see it, feel it and experience it in your work because you lace it with your soul... an expansive wisdom that stokes the flames that make you write. I am going to check up on this Leo Kottke as i have never heard of him, but I have heard the Led Zepplin song to which you are reffering, and that is a great song, although I had absolutely no idea that is featured a 12 string guitar in it! You learn something everyday! Lol feel free "to bore me" with these tales as they sound interesting, I am partically deaf and for that reason, despite having a huge love of music in general, I cannot play any instrument properly which is why I became a DJ because you can blend of beat, key and melody without having to obtain the sound with your own hands etc. You are extremely talented and I think the only reason you have not mastered any of these is because of time and commitments to many other things, if you had all the time in the world you'd be a master (or is that mistress???!) of all! So says me at least lol! Take care Anni, I look forward to more of your great works. Dale :)

Geezer

16 years 9 months ago

12 Strings ....

12 strings to pluck at your heart. I love the sound of a 12 string guitar, and think that the Beatles had some in their arrangments. Ravi Shankar? I think he was the one who gave instruction to Paul? Anyhow, Great stuff! I will look up this Leo Kottke and "Bron-Yr-Aur" I'm sure I have heard it,[knowing Led Zepplin] My wife loved your comments as she did all who commented. Thanks to all for your birthday wishes for her. Cheers back at ya, Gee.

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

don't spend her birthday eve on Neo honey!!!

Pleasure Gee... have a great night, both of you... don't spend her birthday eve on Neo honey!!! Off you go, go search a gorgeous love song for her & drag her to the computer to play it for her so she knows shes special... let me see... I can't go past the old classic "Nights in white satin" ... cos I love you... yes I love you ohh oh I lo-----ve you...." (such subtle lyrics!) or you could search out my lovely (Aussie) Abby Dobson on Youtube Maybe "shining star" or Leonardo's Bride "Even when I'm sleeping". Though you probably have plenty of good ones yourself. Enjoy xx Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

PS I know Ravi played sitar,

PS I know Ravi played sitar, (& Ry Cooder did a lot of work with him on guitar later "A meeting by the river" is a delight)... but maybe he taught him 12 string as well, I could be wrong? Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Geezer

16 years 9 months ago

You are right!

I do play some mean spoons! And I have always wanted to play banjo. I also love 'bluegrass' music, and rag-time! When I used to live in Conneticut, there was a bluegrass fest, just a few miles down the road every year. All the musicians that weren't busy setting up for their show, would walk around, and join up with whatever people were playing impromptu. You just found a group that was playing something you liked, and joined in! I used to bring spoons, guitar, and a harmonica. Professionals and amatuers alike, were welcome. Some of the groups that were playing would give everyone a little solo, with a nod and nod back,[meaning you were up for it] you would get your turn. It was the most awesome thing! It was the neighbors that stifled my drum career[ is there a pun there?] LOL My wife is a big 50's and 60's music-fan, and I put on a couple of Classic CD's of those years. "In The Still of The night" and "Blue Moon" and our song, 'Willie Nelson's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" Wifey thanks you for your wishes, as I do, Cheers, Gee.

Afzal Shauq

16 years 8 months ago

well done

people say i am writing strange but when I read through your work, i knew that you are perceiving more strange things..and this innovation of your ideas are making you very special too.. love when read new things and i found here in your poetry.. you really write some thing new.. so now I am not alone to be hurt by rijid readers ancient view point..there is one more ..means you beside.. I am really impressed from your work..and I readl almost 80 percent of your work.. hope you never forget smiles of success to spread around.. I belive in smiles and my thoughts and found around the ffriendly smiles..as I say proudly for peace.." a fiendly smiles is the best weapon of war to fight with..afzal shauq" yes smiles can occpy hearts.. maybe one of reasons is your smiles..which have attracted me.. pray for your happy smiles to continue..and hope your detailed view about my poetic approach and thoughts will make me happy too.. and what else to say..who am I ? I think google will tell you if you search.. best of luck and happy smiles..