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Ode to Uncle Jack's Scissors

Uncle Jack, on my wife’s side, was an uncomplicated gent.
We’d see him once or twice a year at family events.
He was devoted to Aunt Hilda, and the two were childless.
His claim to fame was how he spent the fewest cents

To buy his dapper clothes. He read the cartoons daily
And had few and little needs, like a bald-headed boy of ten,
For fifty years the happy seller of stationary supplies.
He retired, played golf, and died in the senior center.

Somehow I got his scissors, the ultra-long grand deluxe,
With the sound of kissing steel. It resides next to my desktop.
The mail, the coupons, my nails, there’s always things to cut,
Shoelaces or strings, there is not a day I do not stop

And think of Uncle Jack, and his simple and kind heart,
While I use his passed-down tool which tears all things apart.

Last few words: 
a sonnet. based on total truth.
Editing stage: 

Comments

In my opinion, this is one of your best
so accessible (which is too often lacking in a lot of poetry}
wonderful flowing style and skills that don't supersede, or overpower or become the raison d'etre of the piece ( not that I think you are ever guilty of this)
the naturalness of the voice is so refreshing and appreciated.
the storytelling ( which I think is a very important part of most writing) is concise, clear and dare I say, "nobel"
While I can appreciate crazy wild and ornate wordsmithing, the use of simple language will always be more effective at moving the emotions, and you prove my point with this piece.

sincerely,

.

Al

I have about 70 sonnets now in a growing collection which I hope one day to publish. I think the form insists on fast and clear themes with a punchline at the finish. So the form frees you to just enjoy piecing together the content. Most are composed in low, familiar vernacular like the above. I have found they are very popular at poetry readings because of the rhyme (that sticks) and the easy flow of narrative so difficult to get when just listening to a free verse with abstract themes.
I very much appreciate your response.

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

author comment

but I love
the simplicity
abab cdcd efef and gg =
14lines I can read blindly
so may I have the privilege
of borrowing
uncles scissors please

I'd cut my sonnets
and send them free
include in your expected publishing
EUMOL
even if by then
I may not be

all about the story! I need my work and any that I read, to have a story. This told the story simply and most effectively. It makes it all the better, that it's true! Nice. ~ Geezer.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

Yes whereas narrative or story is traditional to prose many poems, ballads and the use it. It is for me more challenging to tell a tale in poetry as poems have a tendency, at least in the modern age, to dance in place. For some reason I prefer story with rhymes and metaphysic poems in free. Don’t know why. Perhaps it what separates a poem from prose in these approaches.
Thanks for the comment

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

author comment

"The sound of kissing steel" Love that line. And the rhyme "ten, for" and "center." It is an endearing story and conveys beautifully the love family has for one another and the idiosyncrasies of relatives. Very interesting that sonnets play better to audiences. Love the irony of the ending, too.

Too unversed in sonnets to critique this poem for form.But I really enjoyed the story and how such a simple gift resulted in remembering the man so often. Good luck in contest

Closing line almost has an edge to it; as if 'tears all things apart' is the underlying theme.

Nicely written and presented. Agree with your comment that sonnets are definitely becoming more well-recieved at readings these days, (I suppose forms do tend to cycle).

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