Time’s up, guys.
Nobody gets a prize.
I was pinching from Frost _
[I seem to recall from Handel’s Messiah the phrase
acquainted with grief.
I expect there are some parallels elsewhere…]
For me it was merely line two that these wet days here
keeps running in my head.
Max in Seattle
Acquainted with the Night
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
On Nov 4, 2014, at 8:08 PM, Patrick McManus <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Sounds like you missing dear old Melbourne
> Cheers P
> I have been acquainted with death! (is that a quote?)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Poetryetc: poetry and poetics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Max Richards
> Sent: 04 November 2014 06:54
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: acquainted
>
> Acquainted with Seattle
> I have been one acquainted with Seattle.
> I have walked out in rain-and back in rain.
> I have outwalked the furthest city light.
>
> I have looked down the saddest city lane.
> I have passed by the homeless on their patch And dropped my eyes, unwilling
> to explain.
>
> And further still at an unearthly height, The Space Needle against the sky
>
> Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
> I have been one acquainted with Seattle.=
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