days of stone

Leaving Violet Town

—

by

Ryan Stone
in

The boy sits alone
while the carriage fills
around him. It’s a V-line,
a long haul, thundering
into morning.

Barely legible,
a chipped sign fades
and Violet Town falls away.

He retreats to a paperback
kingdom, while oblivious
wheels devour miles.
Sometimes his eyes rise
to watch the landscape
grind from here to there.

Halogen holds the night
at bay as a voiceover calls
passengers awake.

At journey’s end,
crisp air whispers
possibility. Behind him,
doors hiss shut. Ahead,
a turnstile beckons.

Ryan Stone

First published in Writers’ Forum Magazine issue 159, December 2014

Click here for audio

image

 

Comments

44 responses to “Leaving Violet Town”

  1. UsefulSoul Avatar
    UsefulSoul

    Wow great work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  2. moonskittles Avatar
    moonskittles

    I loved that first stanza, like a film in fast-forward, i could see everyone and everything moving in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      You’re very good for my ego! Thank you 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. moonskittles Avatar
        moonskittles

        you are welcome! (and shhshshshsh I am reading)

        Liked by 1 person

  3. freckles for breakfast Avatar
    freckles for breakfast

    I want audio!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Haha, I can butcher it for you with my Aussie accent a little later today. I’ll let you know when it’s up 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    2. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Ok, there’s a link for audio at the bottom of the poem. I apologise in advance for my rough Aussie accent. Thanks for your interest 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. freckles for breakfast Avatar
        freckles for breakfast

        There’s absolutely nothing to apologize for. It was beautiful, I listened to it twice 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ryan Stone Avatar
        Ryan Stone

        Too kind! Thank you so much 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Copper Cranes Avatar
    Copper Cranes

    Ryan, there is something quite magical about being completely captivated by words, as I shared with you this poem did just that. “Leaving Violet Town” tumbled around in my head since the first reading last night, this morning is no different, magic! Truly wonderful the way you have captured the essence of life’s journey and the unknown direction of fate. I’ve enjoyed the visual imagery that your words have painted throughout, especially the following stanza,

    “Barely legible,
    a chipped sign fades
    and Violet Town falls away.”

    This is such a touching and beautiful poem. Thank you, a pleasure to read and reread. Please have a wonderful day.
    ~ Mia

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      And what do I say after feedback like that, Mia? What an incredibly thoughtful comment to leave. It means so much to know that a poem has been appreciated and enjoyed and I truly can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Each time I hit the post button, I worry about how a piece of writing will be received. Reading such a lovely response makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for starting my day off in such a fantastic way 😌

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Copper Cranes Avatar
        Copper Cranes

        Ryan, you’re so very welcome, it’s truly my pleasure and definitely a privilege to read your wonderful offerings. I’m delighted to have found my way here!
        ~ Mia

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ryan Stone Avatar
        Ryan Stone

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Interview with Ryan Stone – Mandibelle16 Avatar
    Interview with Ryan Stone – Mandibelle16

    […] Leaving Violet Town  […]

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  6. Poem for a Wedding | look around! Avatar
    Poem for a Wedding | look around!

    […] By the same author: Leaving Violet Town […]

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. SAN_jeet Avatar
    SAN_jeet

    Good poetry work

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Truly appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. ‘Rewind Interview’ with Writer, Blogger, & Poet Ryan Stone #amwriting #interview #nonfiction #poetry – Mandibelle16 Avatar
    ‘Rewind Interview’ with Writer, Blogger, & Poet Ryan Stone #amwriting #interview #nonfiction #poetry – Mandibelle16

    […] Leaving Violet Town  […]

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  9. ‘Rewind Interview’ With Poet, Writer, and Blogger Ryan Stone #amwriting #interview #nonfiction | Go Dog Go Café

    […] Leaving Violet Town  […]

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  10. ivors20 Avatar
    ivors20

    Reminds me so much of my long(seemingly forever) train trips to the country side down to the Western District, oh so many years ago. Actually catching the train to Melbourne tomorrow(Sat) to watch my niece singing in a BK Opera production of “La Traviata”, at 75 Reid St Auditorium, Fitzroy North, 7.30pm start. … hehe … free plug for my niece…..

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Glad to hear it rekindled some memories. Haha! Great plug. Have a wonderful night watching your niece. Very cool!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Wezzlehead Avatar
    Wezzlehead

    Masterful. A true pleasure to read this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Very kind. Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  12. C P Cabaniss Avatar
    C P Cabaniss

    This is great, Ryan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you for taking the time to read, Courtney 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Mia ~ Copper Cranes Avatar
    Mia ~ Copper Cranes

    Dear Ryan, “Leaving Violet Town” is just as moving as it was when I read it almost a year ago. There’s a lovely bittersweet quality of leaving that’s capture so beautiful in your poem. Your words certainly didn’t fade, in fact they’re becoming richer with age. Have a good week ahead, you’re truly a brilliant wordsmith. ~ Mia

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Heya, Mia! Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts a second time around. You’re too kind. I’ve been writing a lot of flash but have no new poems so I had to rehash an old one. Pretty sad really 😜 Thank you, I hope your week brings you some sunshine as well. Take care, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mia ~ Copper Cranes Avatar
        Mia ~ Copper Cranes

        You’re welcome, Ryan, and thank you. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Great poem of this boy, awaiting new journeys and experiences. Again I love the painting, there’s a dreaminess to your style. An impressionistic Quality,,but also different b/c you look at it once and upfront there’s These nearly exact details but they fade out into a dreamy background, that’s better scene from a distance, I think. The balance btw detail and those dreamy brush strokes kind of make ones eyes cross, but in a good way. Keep painting you’re awesome. Have you done this a long tim, or is it a new hobby/ business venture?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Hello again, my friend. Thank you for your nice comments. I mentioned it in another reply that I doubt you’ve had time to read yet – I do all my art on my iPad. This one started off as a photo I took on my iPhone. There are some amazing painting apps out there if you have the time/desire to play around and learn how to use them. Thanks for being so sweet 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. mandibelle16 Avatar
        mandibelle16

        You’re most welcome. I’m going to check those out on my IPad 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ryan Stone Avatar
        Ryan Stone

        ArtRage and Inspire Pro are two I can recommend 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. mandibelle16 Avatar
        mandibelle16

        Thank you 😊

        Liked by 2 people

  15. Isha Garg Avatar
    Isha Garg

    My! This felt in imagery like scenes from an old projected movie, I could almost hear the clacking of one still after another as one verse gave way to another. Beautiful! The title is inviting, no pun intended!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you so much, Isha 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Isha Garg Avatar
        Isha Garg

        My pleasure absolutely!

        Liked by 2 people

  16. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    Beautiful words

    Like

    Reply
  17. beth Avatar
    beth

    all possibilities are on the table. well done –

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you, Beth 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Asha Seth Avatar
    Asha Seth

    Absolutely stunning imagery, Ryan. This is perhaps, one of your best pieces.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Too kind, Asha. Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Asha Seth Avatar
        Asha Seth

        Love it from my heart, Ryan. You’ve the gift of words.

        Liked by 1 person

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