Thursday 6 September 2012




This band is stuffed! *

By the side of a lane
one empty chair
band two thirds complete
on this road to where?

In long wavy grass
musicians are there
new music is made
they stand still and stare.

Two players work hard
accordion notes
small electric guitar
music soundlessly floats.

Not in a village
just standing proud
musicians are scarecrows
playing silently loud.

Who made these players
with care, love and time?
in the middle of nowhere
music might be sublime.

Closely observe
of all that you see
this band is not real
faux tableau you see!

*( I came upon these two + one space along a very small road which eventually arrives at a fork where one way is beach and a deserted village many miles the other. on an Outer Hebridean island.) 
Make of it what you will I am still trying to.

26 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

How amazing! And yes, I will be wondering for days too.
Was the creator a frustrated musician?
Did he/she simply have a quirky sense of humour?
I am so pleased that you not only noticed this tableaux, but that you showed it to us. Many thanks.

Out on the prairie said...

A lovely find and verse

Cuby said...

The Elephant's Child: It was quite an extraordinary find needed recording in picture and word.

Cuby said...

Out on the prairie: The verse was fun to construct pleased that you liked it.

Al said...

Nice poem and a great find! I love real music, both live and recorded, and am listening to some as I'm blogging tonight.

CherryPie said...

What a curious thing to find.

I love the poem you have written to accompany the image.

Viola said...

You are so good in writing poems! Have you ever considered to give out a book?

Happy weekend to you! :)

Cuby said...

Al: I too love music and have it on a great deal of the time maybe some Neil Young later. This indeed was put there to inspire a poet!

Cuby said...

CherryPie: So pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Cuby said...

Viola: Thank you for the thoughts about a book, I have wondered but at the moment am unsure. :)

Doris said...

I love this poem. I have often passed by and wondered who put these delightful characters in such an isolated place. It began as a man on his own playing a guitar, but over the years it has grown and developed. On the road to Tolsta a 'workman' has sat by the road for over six years. He gets a new hat every so often!

Cuby said...

Doris: If you ever find out who gave birth to this band I would love to send them a copy of this poem. Thanks for the extra info.

Anonymous said...

Remembering to closely observe...and to listen to invisible music much more closely. This poem is lovely, Claire.

Cuby said...

upwooods: Thanks Kathy I am pleased you thought this poem was lovely.

KaHolly said...

Awesome verse to accompany a fun picture. During the Acadian Festival each year, islanders do much the same idea. Every yard has different scenes set up. It's lots of fun!

Travel With Lulu said...

So delightful! I admire how you look at something and poetry just flows...

Cuby said...

KaHolly: Here too festivals and carnivals inspire these dummies to be constructed BUT their isolation was intriguing.

Cuby said...

Happy Homemaker UK: Thanks for the compliment. I am loving writing poetry and find inspiration everywhere, sometimes in unexpected places.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what a fun idea!

Cuby said...

Crafty Green Poet: I couldn't agree more!

Chris Benjamin said...

I somehow missed the pic at first and I thought: "Sounds like a lovely piece of folk art." And there you go.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What an interesting finD!

Cuby said...

Chris Benjamin: So it works without the photo, now that's interesting.

Cuby said...

Lisa@Two Bears Farm: Surprising too!

Moving with Mitchell said...

A bit of magic. What kind of music do they make I wonder if you listen intently?

Cuby said...

Mitchell:As they play in the middle of nowhere I hope they make the most of having no neighbours and play everything very loud!