Grand Tour
Ice overtakes the unpeopled rocks
and robs them of contour.
The traveller draws the blinds
against this scentless view.
Where the road dwindles he’ll step out,
dismantle the coach, and climb
in the sedan’s cushioned nest to the peak.
His sketchbook is filled with vast
hellish scenes of rocks and nothing.
He takes his scenery
like his coffee, at a sit.
– from Ship of the Line (2014)
Fabulous
Really nice!
I love the sparse way this poem is set on the page and the economy of words. Both add to atmosphere of the wild empty landscape it describes. The final lines give us an amusing glimpse at this eccentric traveller’s character.
Yes a revelation so minimal and visual. I knew about arranging words on the page but when writing sometimes get carried away and forget, Many drafts necessary. Thanks.