avatarGary Orphey

Summary

The website content is a reflective narrative about an enigmatic old man known as "The Man in the Soft Gray Suit," who is remembered for his solitude, the poetry he wrote in a black book, and his kind act of feeding pigeons in the park, juxtaposed with the invitation to contribute to a literary publication called "The Curation" and the mention of other works by the author, Gary Orphey.

Abstract

The text presents a poignant portrait of an elderly man, often perceived as either a mastermind or a spy, who spends his time in solitude writing in a black book. This man, referred to as "The Man in the Soft Gray Suit," is a figure of intrigue and speculation among onlookers. Despite being the subject of ridicule by children, he earns a measure of reverence for his compassion towards pigeons during harsh winter conditions. The narrative takes a somber turn upon the discovery of his frozen body in the park, with his black book revealing a heartfelt plea for peace and goodwill. The story is interwoven with an invitation to readers to contribute to "The Curation," a publication that celebrates the power of words, and it concludes with a salutation wishing solarity to the reader, alongside references to additional poetic works by Gary Orphey and another contributor, Joanie Adams.

Opinions

  • The old man is portrayed as a mysterious and solitary figure, whose true nature and intentions are subjects of local speculation.
  • The act of feeding the pigeons in the park suggests a gentle and compassionate side to the man, earning him a god-like status among the birds.
  • The children's mockery indicates a lack of understanding and empathy towards the elderly man, highlighting societal attitudes towards the unknown or different.
  • The discovery of the man's body and his black book filled with poetry and a repeated message of peace and goodwill implies a deeper, philosophical side to his character.
  • The inclusion of the literary publication "The Curation" and other works by Gary Orphey and Joanie Adams suggests a reverence for literature and poetry as a means of expression and connection.
  • The closing salutation wishing solarity to the reader reflects a hopeful and benevolent tone, emphasizing the value of positivity and unity.
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

The Man in the Soft Gray Suit

A Poem; Selection I, Of The Curation

Some said he was a master-

mind, others thought him a

spy; the old man in the soft gray

suit, sitting quietly and alone, his

thoughts far away from where

he was; a stranger quite

unknown.

He wrote with a wooden pencil

words in a tiny black book;

Containing things he would or

could not share, where no one

else could look.

Children laughed making fun

of him, the old man in the Park;

who gave bread to the pigeons

as their god of mercy when the

snows fell, and the skies were

dark.

I do not remember when they

found him, covered with soft-

snow, frozen in the dark.

I too, am now an old man with a

tiny black book in the park.

He sat with frozen fingers

around a wooden pencil

wrapped. The black notebook

found unopened on his cold

snow-covered lap.

When the little black book was

opened, only poetry was

penned; with the exception of

the last few pages, where

written over and over again,

in words smaller and smaller;

“Peace on Earth, Good Will

Toward Men.”

The Curation; Write For Our Publication:

The Fine Writer Of This Piece:

Another Piece by Gary Orphey — Black Pond; A Poem:

A Piece By Joanie Adams from the Curation:

May the day beam Solarity upon You — dear Reader.

Curation
Nature
Poems On Medium
Poetry
Poet
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