HOME | DD
peterdawes — A Philadelphia State of Mind
by-nc-nd
Published: 2008-03-29 00:04:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 452; Favourites: 3; Downloads: 3
Redirect to original
Description
artificial sunlightof streetlights hanging down upon me
illuminating rain-soaked streets
and strange faces belonging to would-be friends
invisible barriers separate us
i walk past, my hands dug into my pockets
a bit more calloused than the night before
regarding bus stops
subway entrances
ants marching in a steady rhythm
the pied piper of the metropolitan orchestra
directing its minions to and fro
jilted lovers
uncanny how they look like me
as they wrestle their way through
crowded streets and crowded minds
looking around for a refuge
within coffeeshops; nightclubs
bars and concert halls
they all possess the same heartbeat
that dissonance of city dwellers
who all see with a pair of eyes
but never regard the same thing
uncertain footsteps
clinging onto worn concrete
while shuffling their way past
wives and daughters
fathers and sons
uncles, aunts, and cousins
sinners and saints alike
the holy few, the impious many
the bustling wave of decadence
and salvation all store-housed together
as if playing the part of
yin and yang
co-existence without recognition
the melancholy man gazes upon
its parks and its streets
its operas and plays
its museums and libraries
its soulful will that cries against mediocrity
it seems to sing the same chorus
if just a different stanza
the same philadelphia i knew before
i regard with crooked smiles
as the world around me freezes
providing me with a mirror image of myself
in every face i see as i pass by
Related content
Comments: 21
Not many people think this much about anything at all.
Props!
I must admit- I've never even seen all of this on a walk. :]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This would perhaps be better stated as images from many strolls. I walk a lot to think through matters, some profound, some minuscule. I enjoy observing people. One learns a lot about themselves through the way they gaze upon others.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Do you sounds as brilliant in life as on the internet?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
*chuckles* At least you said 'brilliant' and not 'snobby and pretentious'.
I speak the same regardless of where I am. People do look at me oddly at times. It's become too much of a habit for me to break.
*dark-dragon-wings is attempting to teach me internet speak. I am failing that class with flying colors.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Oh, I think chatspeak is one of the most irritating forms of communication. If it can be called communication, that is.
The words 'snobby' and '
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
So pleased to hear that. Thank you.
I am not fond of chatspeak myself. But she means well.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Philadelphia indeed. You've pretty much nailed how I feel when I walk around there. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Why thank you. This city does have a pulse all of its own. I am glad you liked it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHhhh *.*
me likies it very muchie !!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, dear Jazz.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This is beautiful! I love your word choices and the imagery, especially the line "bustling wave of decadence".
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you kindly.
The watch and favorite are greatly appreciated as well.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
i like this one. it kind of reminds me of my school, only....not? maybe more my town, not my school. you know what i mean, maybe. and now i'm rambling. aarrrgh.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
*chuckles*
Strolling through the midst of any crowd of humanity, I suppose.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
>>they all possess the same heartbeat
that dissonance of city dwellers
who all see with a pair of eyes
but never regard the same thing<<
Excellent turn of phrase....and so true!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you kindly, dear.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Beautiful, but as you say, melancholy. This line touched a cord in me: co-existence without recognition
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That is the immortality endemic in the piece. It makes its little appearances within many works, but in much subtler tones than the romantic influences.
Born from the observation of good, evil; sin, salvation; and mortal, immortal all co-existing while trying to pretend the other is not present as well. Interesting how many times that occurs when I brush shoulders with the mortal world.
Thank you for the favorite, my dear.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I didn't see that originally but now that you mention it, it really does. Very good.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1