The Shoemaker

The Shoemaker

by pete marshall

I carve the shape of trodden souls,

fastened tight to harden skin,

mallet’s wait for hearts to pound,

for Elf’s to come and roam within.

I’ve lived this life from boy to man

in tangled doubts with callused hands

that stitch the threads of spinners charm,

alone I work, this tranquil calm,

that knows no life thus what I am

a cobbler slaved to work the tan

who hides the loss of wasted years,

who cuts the cloth with sharpened shears.

Yet light will filter deep within

to reach upon this battered stool,

Elf’s will come each darkened night

and  work the minds of bitter fools.

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One Shoot Sunday provides a wonderful interview and picture prompt challenge inspired by Rob Hanson, who is accredited to the wonderful image above.

Pride by Pete Marshall

Pride

by pete marshall

Within my grasp lies Eden's fruit

as apples bob in weary eyes,

that caught my breath, its hidden guise

to choke where snakes would slither by.

Upon my hands are hardened lines

that fortune wrote when luck would smile,

who shamed my soul with her beguile

then left me high but never dry!

Within my heart lies judgement day

where names are tossed upon a pile,

a random path, a lonely mile, 

darkened thoughts that fight denial.

This life exhumed upon the pyre

that burns with hate from vicious liars,

their webs are spun to feed desire

then leave us spent, betrayed, expired!

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This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a fantastic place where poetry is shared, discovered and enjoyed.

It was a year ago when I got together with a few friends and discussed this project and look how it has grown! One Stop Poetry is a place created for people to enjoy the arts and explore their creative side.

Today it is hosted by Leslie Moon who has made a great point, what we do is for the love of art and the promotion of poetry. We give our time freely for you to have a place where you can enjoy and express yourselves too.

From a personal point of view One Stop has always been a place where ego's do not survive, it is a place where there is only one winner, the Arts, and particularly  poetry. 

On a different vein, yesterday I started work!! Yes, this is a surprise, I have a months contract but this is a start. My passion for One Stop remains, as does my passion for poetry but money needs to be earned. My dream was to turn One Stop into an online magazine, earning an income for those that put so much time into it on a daily basis, but what has happened is One Stop has formed itself into a community, a wonderful community,  but maybe their are still legs in that dream. Thanks for listening....pete

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image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwerfeldein/

I was 10 in '77

I was 10 in ‘77

by Pete Marshall

I was 10 in ‘77

when first I felt the force

of hardened fists from wayward scum

that pinned me down in makeshift courts

I was 10 in ‘77

when first I heard an iron lung

that breathed in deep and rasped for breath

as grandpa’s life was finely hung

I was dead in ‘77

until they came and filled the screen

and gave me hope to live each day

amongst the stars and laser beams

I was 10 in ‘77

when  faith would come into my life

and gave me strength to fight the dark

that gripped my mind throughout the night

I was 10 in ‘77

the age my boy is now

when sci-fi scenes and school boy dreams

caused visual sensual wow

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This is my poem for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt, image by JackAZ Photography

Forever in Blue Jean's

Forever in Blue Jeans

Poverty pinched on denim jeans

that sat above her hard earned shoes 

and he’s the boy from up the hill

where social heights will sing the blues

She works the line from 9-5

whilst daddy pays his college fees

yet money’s tight and honey talks

and love is found  inside her jeans

He stole a kiss behind the shack

where beers will flow too easily

and spoilt kids with far too much

will take a hint of ecstasy

But love was found within the shade

where hearts would melt on shabby walls

and there they kissed in shadowed light

as denim jeans were lost with fools

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This is my poem for the One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt. The amazing photograph has been taken by Katherine Forbes who's wonderful interview can also be read at One Stop Poetry

My Coney Island Baby

My Coney Island Baby

Hedonistic summer dreams 

within this sandscape world

Crazy Feeling's rising high

and tricks with Charley's Girl

Parasols that hide our shame

for She’s My Best Friend’s pearl

sequinned lace, her painted face

and Kicks that made us whirl

His Gift was she or maybe me

Oooohhh Baby take this pain

in summers heat where lovers meet

they play their heady games

Nobodys Business on this beach

androgynous dreams were maybe

A fluttered fan, a soft held hand

my Coney Island Baby…….

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The wonderful image is taken by Danielle Kelly and simply titled "Coney Island". It is featured today on One Shoot Sunday, part of One Stop Poetry, and forms their picture prompt. Check out the amazing interview with Danielle Kelly whilst you are there too.

Bedlam

Bedlam

Echo’s follow fallen souls

who drift and glide within a tomb

and arrows point to show the way

of paths that lead to darkened rooms

The corridors hold the chill of air

and darkness wait’s in perished dreams

light that flows through broken glass

and life that ends in heightened screams

Dampness spreads across the floor

and creeps upon the tiled walls

where those who once had come for hope

but died as life’s forgotten fools

This poem was inspired by the wonderful image "The Arrow Shot" by Claudio Mufarrege, who has been featured at One Shoot Sunday...check out his amazing photography and join in with the picture prompt

A Moment Framed: By Pete Marshall

A Moment Framed

by Pete Marshall

This lonely place within my mind

Reflects upon the clouding sky

As fossils lay across the beach 

And rock pools filled with shallow life

The black that flows across the bay

That shades the sun and paints the grey

That holds my mind in withered frame

That wants no more to play your games

I walk across the rocky path

Where seaweed lays in scattered death

I hear the crash of coming waves

And welcome them to take my breath

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This piece has been written for the One Shoot Sunday Picture Prompt Challenge

Eye, Eye Cap'n: A Poem By Pete Marshall

Eye, Eye Cap'n:

 A Poem By Pete Marshall

The seas would lap upon the hull

and gently wash their starboard bow

the sails were rolled into the boom

and winds too far to journey now

They stood in line alone in berth

A breeze would rattle empty masks

the sailors gone in town to dance

as captains sample rum from casks

But from the shore a man would watch

as pirates stroked their silent oars

between their teeth clenched sharpened blades

and on his shoulder a blue macaw…

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this is my poem inspired by the above image, taken by Adam Dustus, for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt & photo feedback