My poetry prompt was to select FIVE from the 'duologue phrases' of Greenberg's 'The pale Impromptu' - I chose candle salve; pearls from tissue; painted mirth; dim accuracy; solitude's wish; for Poetics: The charms of Samuel Greenberg

36 thoughts on “angels standing-by”

1. I love how you used his own words to write his biography/eulogy … the phrase lukewarm toys especially caught my eye.

   1. so glad you chose that as it reflects how young this dead poet was

2. The opening line/image is so arresting, Laura 💝 I love the poignancy with which this poem is penned!

   1. thank you – I wanted to give Greenberg a sympathetic bio as well

3. Marvellous piece Laura. The tension in these charmed pairings – it feels like the language is being pulled and stretched – ‘mopped oceans / stigmata cups’ – ‘fetish as fable’ – nothing is certain but that it will be undermined – and then every so often there’s a beauty I can hang on to – ‘I have threaded pearls from tissue’. As Björn says, a fine elegy to this poet.

   1. spot on Peter! – I feel it’s the tension between Greenberg’s ‘charms’ that gives impact to the conversational pairing. Something i tried to emulate so thank you for that

4. This is a stunning piece, Laura! I like the reference to Greenberg’s TB in the lines:
   ‘I have threaded pearls from tissue
   pale and pink, beaded drops of
   coughing slime’
   and the ‘fevered paper cache / red inked, crushed and bruised’,
   as well as the lines about writing:
   ‘poems parch and sounds scuttle from
   undipped nibs
   tardy thought trails
   chequered lexicons’.

   1. well observed Kim – yes I tried to resurrect the poet with his illness and struggle to pen poems which the clock was ticking

5. I liked the poignancy of the blood-smeared tissue, that produced such pearls. And the assonance, alliteration, dissonance making a chain of sounds.

   1. thank you Jane – I loved your observation about the chain of sounds

      1. The image of the chain is a strong one.

6. Skillful telling of this young man’s dying and death. These lines jumped out with sorrow:
   “poems parch and sounds scuttle from
   undipped nibs”

   1. many thanks for that lovely comment

      1. You’re welcome, Laura.

7. Beautiful and intricate, picking up on the themes of that which inspired you.

   1. yes I was inspired by Greenberg, Francis – glad it shows!

8. WOW. Such poignant and beautifully startling imagery in this piece. I especially loved these lines:

   “A candle salve for sorrows
   intense ashen shadows of
   occult observance
   lukewarm toys
   lilac musk”

   So dark and sad, and it’s like a threnody. Beautiful work!

   1. I really enjoyed your comment Lucy especially once I had looked up ‘threnody 😉

9. incredibly masterful to weave the poets own words to paint his brief life all so poignantly … really appreciated your added charms and I’m sure he would too!

   1. many thanks for some lovely feedback Kate

      1. most welcome Laura

10. Very impressive, and a perfect illustration for your prompt. I took the cue from you and endeavored to emulate Greenberg’s spirit and style. In many ways, I’m happy to see that our research and conclusions were similar. I strongly felt a connection to Greenberg as I wrote my five charm stanzas. Your poem has the line breaks and surreal qualities from Greenberg, yet your own perceptions were never compromised; lovely and striking.

    1. Blushing from such a supportive uplifting comment Glenn ❤

11. kaykuala
    they say the sputtering candle is
    solitude’s wish stellar fortunes
    angels standing-by

    Love the idea of detailing some trying moments prior to success while under constant divine protection. Great storyline Laura!

    Hank

    1. indeed and thank you Hank

12. Very clever Laura. I love that you brought Greenberg into your poem. I love his rich use of language which made this such a wonderful prompt tonight. ☺️

    1. glad you enjoyed the prompt and I appreciate your appreciation!

13. You captured the form of Greenberg very well. Your images are wonderful…
    scuttle from undipped nibs

    In undertones physicians intone
    they say the sputtering candle is
    solitude’s wish
    stellar fortunes
    angels standing-by

    Wow! Seems that is what is said so often at the end of life

    1. thank you Dwight – aimed to emulate, be inspired and find my own voice here

14. I love the way you’ve captured Greenberg’s style and made it your own: captivating!

    1. many thanks Ingrid

15. “solitude’s wish
    stellar fortunes
    angels standing-by”–a world in those three lines. So much richness in the imagery. (K)

    1. thank you – the dialogue between two words can conjure citadels!

16. So good Laura 🙂 My favourite part
    “poems parch and sounds scuttle from
    undipped nibs
    tardy thought trails
    chequered lexicons”

    1. ahh thanks for reading and appreciating too

       1. You’re welcome Laura 🙂

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