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The poetry of Art Garfunkel

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Pimms in the palace gardens

before the concert, sun soaking

the evening crowd, reluctant

to leave their picnics

and champagne for the music.

One half of a famous duo, the one

that arranged the harmonies

but didn’t write the songs.

 

Great reception, nevertheless.

Patience even when he craved

our indulgence  to read a few

so-so ‘prose poems’. Now in his 70s,

everyone needs the odd breather

between beloved hits.

And you can understand:

‘Look! I can write, too.’

 

But I shifted uneasily, embarrassed 

by the gap in quality between

the music and the poetry.

A poem about his son, another  

about filming Carnal Knowledge

with Jack Nicholson, and one

about a local politician who had

the temerity to arrive late

 

and then to text, in the front row,

during his performance.

Does music always leave

spoken word in the shade?

Homeward Bound, The Boxer,

Kathy’s Song, April Come She Will.

“And the people bowed and prayed /

To the neon gods they made.”

 

Now that’s poetry. Artie’s wasn’t,

much, and nor is this. But his voice

still lifts the heart, more or less,

most of the time. The rain held off

until he’d gone, when lightning flashed,

thunder crashed, and the ghosts

of Henry and Wolsey

watched us leave the premises,

 

the night before the referendum. 

 

 

 

 

◄ Berrylands

The Grammar School ►

Comments

Frances Macaulay Forde

Sun 20th Aug 2017 05:33

I also would not have been able to listen, without comparison, to Simon's amazing poems set to music.
Still, I enjoy listening to those who have the courage to share their words, as long as they are - considered.
Thoroughly enjoyed this and loved your honesty about his words.
Now to read some more...

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Greg Freeman

Thu 30th Jun 2016 10:22

Thanks, Steve. It was weird how the heavens waited until the end of the concert to open. Just after the polls closed, too.

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steve pottinger

Wed 29th Jun 2016 20:23

I really enjoyed this, Greg. You made me wince for Art, though. Both Mr Garfunkel and our beloved poetry.

Killer last line, too.

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Greg Freeman

Wed 29th Jun 2016 01:09

It's certainly a good way to start the evening, Suki! Thank you, and Lynn and Ray too, for your comments. It was a memorable concert, wonderful at times. I just felt a little embarrassed for my own art form, poetry; in that context it felt so inferior to the combination of words and music.

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suki spangles

Wed 29th Jun 2016 00:52

Pimms in the palace gardens..

What a great way to start a poem!

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Lynn Dye

Sun 26th Jun 2016 15:23

Very enjoyable poem, Greg. I was a big fan of the duo, but can well imagine this experience falling somewhat short.

I have often thought Paul Simon would have made a good poet even if he hadn't been musical. And yes, Art was the one with the great voice...

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raypool

Sat 25th Jun 2016 21:05

I'm very fortunate to be hearing you in my mind reading this Greg, and the more pleasurable it is for that. A great mix of wit and the dented experience . Should I say world weary might encapsulate it , both from Art's renditions and from your compassionate barbs too?
I'm afraid it reminds me of the similar attempts of one half of successful duos, like Wise without Morecambe, or even worse Mike Winters without Bernie, and God forbid Foster without Allen. The list is endless!

Ray

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Greg Freeman

Sat 25th Jun 2016 15:56

Ah well, this is what life can be like the soft underbelly of the south, Harry! The Pimms was very welcome, I have to confess. Thanks for your kind words. It's always a great thrill to see one of your heroes and to hear such fabulous songs, even if he was a tad self-indulgent at times.

Write Out Loud Woking has had two terrific nights so far, thanks. And next month Rodney and I may be compering a spoken word and acoustic music tent at a local free festival. Which will be interesting, getting the mix right.

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Harry O'Neill

Sat 25th Jun 2016 15:39

Greg,
Blimey! I hope that wasn`t you pimming, picnicking, and champagening it...whatever`s happened to the starving poet? :)

A nice, neat and appreciative account (plus a very good point about the qualities of the music and the poetry)

I think it`s to do with harmony in both...the words with the tune...or sense with sound....typographical stanza form helps to get harmony into the `free` (as above).

The history bit was a good ending...also the bit in line two of the last stanza (believe me this is like coming upon a smooth lawn after the tangled undergrowth)

Hope Woking is going well

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