Cannery Row Aglow
John Steinbeck Lives … Sort Of
Synonyms and antonyms,
Fats and slims and seraphims;
Knowing looks and vacant grins-
No telling where words lead.
Brazen moves
And shingled roofs
With horses hooves
Galumphing
Across fields of sinking moss,
When too much thinking
Causes sinking
And the horse's gain
Is the pale rider's loss.
Twirl the girl and chain the man
Who know but never understand
Why so many sardines
Allowed themselves to be canned;
It is not the smell of decay
On Steinbeck's bay
Where the cannery rowed
While glittering fish scales
Glowed
In the sight of the night
Lit by the waxing moon
Glowing always too late
And never too soon.
No one will wish
For the aroma
Of raw fish
Left out in the sun
To be noticed and shunned.
To know Cannery Row
Is to pick up and go
With the flow
Under piers
Where the tide remains
Forever low.
Published by David A. Reinstein, LCSW - Featured Contributor in Technology
Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, born in Boston and a relatively unscathed survivor of the 60 s. Fan of technology, guitars, creating music and poetry. Mental wellness coach, staff trainer and parent... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a CommentA wonderful and interesting article.
Oh, thank you for taking this California Girl back for a little while. Lovely!
Nice use of the word "galumphing" among the nice use of the rest of these words. It's fun to use literary allusions.
This is just plain superior writing of the highest order. You are a master wordsmith, my friend. I can smell Cannery Row from here.
great job as always!
Great job on this again one that brings many different responses for whatever reason just made me laugh good writing David Laura Everly
David, Sardines is a favorite of mine. I am glad they are canned. This piece is good work or pleasure for you and us. Thank you for responding to my contacts on AC.
Low tide can be full of fish aroma. I miss that since I left in Ocean City NJ and Long Branch N.J.
Superb! Enjoyed reading it aloud. Bravo.
You know, this reminded me of France in the 1980s when they cleaned the fish by the side of the road and left it in the basking sun - took all the fun out of parading thru Paris! cheers :)
Nice job, David! Thanks.