Monday 2 November 2009

All the glisters....

Although the Poetry Bus has well and truly crashed into a ditch while that zany Einstein was driving, I cannot get out of the habit of Monday being Poetry Day. So here is my poem for Monday:-


All that glisters....

Catching the sun,
an apple hung
on a laden tree in a
leafy bower.

Its fiery hues
led me to choose
this perfect fruit.

I took a bite.
But it was sour!

25 comments:

steven said...

yes weaver - all is not what it appears!!! have a peaceful day in the dale. steven

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

That's a new word for me 'glisters'. Did you mean glistens? I totally agree with the sentiment of your poem - that sometimes the most alluring things can disappoint.

Gigi Ann said...

Oh! I can totally relate to that. As a child, I hated to bite into a juicy red apple and it was sour.

Rachel Fox said...

A cautionary tale...
x

Golden West said...

Turned out that way for Eve, as well.

Sal said...

Very well said!! ;-)

mand said...

I love this! Fun, and with depth if you choose to read it that way. Is this a particular form (i missed the 'bower'/'sour' rhyme on first reading)? Whether it is or not, the form works for the content in this one. :0)

Btw 'glisters' and the whole title is from Shakespeare, yep?

Titus said...

Lovely Weaver, all mists and mellow until the tang of the final line!

Heather said...

Your poem could be applied to so many things other than apples. What a disappointment but a charming poem. I have reverted quite easily to being a non-writer and without the aid of postable photos, can't even write my blog right now! I hoping my daughter will call in tomorrow and work some magic for me.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Weaver: I should know by now that you would never make a mistake with a word. Thanks to Mand for the clarification. Clearly my knowledge of Sheakespeare is wanting or waning!

Crafty Green Poet said...

I've just had a lunchtime wandwer round an orchard so this is very timely.... and they were all cooking apples so they would have been sour too.

Tess Kincaid said...

Love it! Very Eve-like.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for the comments - I am pleased that many of you read a deeper meaning into it - that was what I intended but it doesn't always come off does it.
GLISTERS - several of you wondered whether this word was correct and where it came from. It is the last line of a poem by Thomas Grey - On a favourite cat drowned in a tub of goldfishes. Here is the last stanza:

From hence, ye Beauties! undeceived
Know one false step is ne'er retrieved,
And be with caution bold:
Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts, is lawful prize,
Nor all that glisters, gold!

It has been one of my favourite poems since I was a very small child and had it read to me at my father's knee.

mand said...

Thanx for that Thomas Grey poem, Weaver, i didn't know that.

It was Shakespeare earlier, though! Although i struggled i couldn't remember which play - i knew it was in one we did at school. So i googled (it's 'The Merchant of Venice') and found dear Will wasn't the first by a long way: http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/appendix-faux-glisters-gold

So we've all learnt something today. :0)

NanU said...

Right on. Sometimes all the goodness of a thing is spent on its outside and there's not any left for the inside. Alas!

But the bus seems to be trundling on in its dissociated parts.

Gwil W said...

maybe you could make some chutney for christmas with your sour apples
I suppose they'd be ok for that
- nice ending
not all poems have to end on a note of optimism - real life isn't like that

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I look forward to your Monday poetry. I hope you don't give up.

This is a good rhyme. I sometimes think in rhymes. It drives me crazy.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Glisters is a great word (it crops up often in my poems)and the phrase a great phrase.This is a fine poem laden with meaning.I'm not good with advice or criticism, but because I like this I would say to lose the exclamation mark at the end.But sure what do I know!Hope ye had a happy bithday!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks mand for the info on glisters - as you say what is blogland for if not to learn new bits of information now and again (in addition to keeping in touch with friends)

Jinksy said...

Life often has a similar sting in its tail. But at least Blogger remains the apple of all our eyes as long as it's behaving itself!

Anonymous said...

Yes Weaver, it is a gentle reminder to look at the heart of the matter and not be mesmerised by the appearance and razzle dazzle of the view, which is immediately obvious. Ah but that apple was so so tempting!

Elizabeth said...

Loved the humourous twist......!

BT said...

Oh that made me smile Weaver! All poetic and I was carried away then, oh yuk!!

mand said...

Good ol' Google, eh - makes instant experts of us all. ;0)

Unknown said...

Hello Weaver,

I enjoyed your poem and your birthday outing and the farmer's pumpkin! Your embroidery materials will help provide interest for the winter evenings!