«The Sad Man» by Lynn White

«The Sad Man» by Lynn White

I take my hat off to him

the sad man

of the leafy suburbs

always smartly dressed

dapper

old fashioned smart

carrying 

all our problems 

with all his silent grief

on pinstriped shoulders.

We all took our hats off to him

that sad man,

as we played in the streets

as we grew older

as we changed

while he stayed the same

still silent

still carrying

all those problems

all that grief

that we never understood.

First published in Visual Verse, June 2019

image from:

https://unsplash.com/photos/grayscale-photo-of-woman-in-black-coat-and-black-skirt-walking-on-sidewalk-iLbh7BMbvRE

Bio:

Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. She has been nominated for Pushcarts, Best of the Net and a Rhysling Award.  https://lynnwhitepoetry.blogspot.com  and https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-White-Poetry-1603675983213077/

To Brian Patten (A Cento and Apostrophe) by Lynn White

To Brian Patten (A Cento and Apostrophe) by Lynn White

Yesterday 
you were my favourite living poet,
there, watching and smiling,
now yesterday seems so far away.

So I wonder – 
did you build your ship of death,
knowing you would need it,
or did you rage –
rage against the dying of the light
and not go gentle into that good night
when it was time to go, to bid farewell
to one’s own self, and find an exit
from the fallen self
and falling skies.

With one quick call
dreams can be aborted
and become like a marooned whale.
Piecemeal the body dies, and the timid soul, 
has her footing washed away, as age dark flood rises,
cold dash of waves at the ferry-warf – posh and ice in the river,
a gray discouraged sky overhead .. is there anything more?

So you should build your ship of death
for the long journey
towards oblivion,
knowing
a man can his own quietus make.

But  still the heart of me weeps 
to belong
where a slow, sad bird has flown,
only twilight now and the soft “she” of the river
that will last forever
as the little ship wings home, faltering and lapsing
on the pink flood,
and the frail soul steps out into the house again
filling the heart with peace.

Lines from :
Laurence Lerner – Raspberries
Paul McCartney – Yesterday
D H Lawrence – The Ship Of Death
Dylan Thomas – Do not Go Gently
D H Lawrence – The Ship of Death
D H Lawrence – Lady Chatterley’s Lover
Brian Patten – Now We Will Either Sleep, Lie Still Or Dress Again
Brian Pattern – Marooned Whales
Walt Whitman – To Think Of Time
D H Lawrence – The Ship Of Death
Brian Patten – The Translation
D H Lawrence – Piano
D H Lawrence – Bei Hennef

First published in Poets Online, Cento Apostrophe Prompt, December 1 2025

Author Bio

Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. She has been nominated for Pushcarts, Best of the Net and a Rhysling Award.  https://lynnwhitepoetry.blogspot.com  and https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-White-Poetry-1603675983213077/

#hotel #LynnWhite #poetry

«The Usual Santas» by Lynn White

«The Usual Santas» by Lynn White

She was not the usual Santa
corpulent and whiskered
in baggy red pants 
and loose jacket
stretched to fit his belly.
No she was something special,
something out of the ordinary.

At first the reindeers were a little nonplussed
when her mini-skirted elves 
with green spiked hair
and bright red lippy
loaded presents
on to the very ordinary sleigh.
But they were impressed 
with the practicality 
of her red stripy leggings
as she climbed up
into the driving seat
and were happy 
to spread their wings
and fly through the stardust
at her command.

The presents were delivered as usual though
and this Santa enjoyed the mince pies and sherry
left out for her in every home.
Not everything had changed!

First published in Brave And Reckless, December 22 2021

Author Bio

Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. She has been nominated for Pushcarts, Best of the Net and a Rhysling Award.  https://lynnwhitepoetry.blogspot.com  and https://www.facebook.com/Lynn-White-Poetry-1603675983213077/

#christmas #hotel #lynnWhite #poetry

"I should speak to you
my long
lost
love
just
one
more
time..."

Read the full #poem by #LynnWhite at the #MockingOwlRoost -- https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/lost-for-words-poetry/

"It was the time when teenagers were born
to parents who had given up their shape
to fit into old people’s clothes
so they could hold the line,
to try to stem the flow
of the coming revolution..."

Read more of the #poetry by #LynnWhite in the recent issue of the #MockingOwlRoost poetry special.

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/poetry-special-1-2024/ - PAGE 29

Come read the splendid poetry from authors around the world in our latest magazine issue. Poetry Special #1 of 2024.

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/poetry-special-1-2024/

#poetryspecial #poetry #MockingOwlRoost #Kanwalpreetbaidwan #johnmuro #reneecronley #binoddiwadi @ddunncarr @jonathan.fletcher9 @viewsoflifexo #peggyheitmann #anitahoward @gutter.poetry @bmkennelly #jermuelmanarin @prof.ammanda #robertpriest @dianaraab @cls.sandoval #ericvelleux #lynnwhite #suecook @octpearl5 #ritamockpike

Tuesday morning is a perfect time for poetry. Poetry is sun for the soul. Please enjoy #DrGreenBowsOut by #LynnWhite #mockingowlroost #blog #poet #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/flo-dr-green-bows-out/
(Pictured is a green background with the title and byline in black on the background. There are flowers at the bottom of the frame.)

We end this beautiful afternoon with lovely poetry. Please enjoy #ALongRoad by #LynnWhite. (Page59) #mockingowlroost #triannualissue #overcoming #poetry #poet #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/overcoming-triannual/
(Pictured is a road through a beautiful green forest. The title and byline are in white print over the picture.)

Thursday evening is the perfect time for poetry. Please enjoy #TrueColours by #LynnWhite (Page 42) #mockingowlroost #triannualissue #overcoming #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers #poet

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/overcoming-triannual/
(Pictured is a woman looking outward at the sea. The title and byline are in black print on the background.)

We end this blue moon evening with lovely poetry. Please enjoy #Mantra by #LynnWhite (Page 55) #mockingowlroost #poetryspecial2023 #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetrylovers

https://www.mockingowlroost.com/blog/poetry-special-2023/
(Pictured is a fiery background with the title and byline in white print over the picture.)