Fantastic poem. "to speak for, cry with, croon the soul out"... reminds me of blues musicians I watch in New Orleans. Really great piece about an interesting and off-beat subject.
Fantastic poem, S.L. I have awarded you the Lemonade Award. Stop by OMM and take it home. 
I like the first stanza so much. "guitars live like big families" - the craftsman brings life through his art.
I am glad to have found your writing. Thanks for commenting. I will follow!
LL
That was beautiful. I love the image of guitar as children and in big families. I could hear the troubadours lamenting ...
Oh wow... this one is astonishing. My children have a grandfather who makes guitars, and many of us play, in this family. I shall have to reread this one over and over, I think!
Outstanding... really beautiful, evocative and spiritual.
I love the way you strum this one out. Did you compose it while playing the guitar yourself? It has that sense of tune to it.
Hmmm... I was going to thumb this up on StumbleUpon, but I can't find a link to the individual post. Could you tell me where it is (after three years of blogging I still seem to be pretty much IT illiterate...).
I found myself really drawn into this relationship between the craftsman and his 'children'. To make an instrument for music is wonderful; to be no longer able to 'sing with his children', poignant. I first read this poem a few days ago. Now that it has sunk in, I realise how special it is.
Beautifully crafted.
I read this while I was at work.
Out loud and I didn't give a damn if the lady from the next table heard me.
I have read this poem several times now, and it just gets better with each read, which is the mark of a great piece of work.
astounding. i can see him hunched over, sanding, fitting, whispering, humming. i love "still touches
wood, knows life." - to work with it, not against it - no two children are ever exactly alike. as much as it is for the guitar makers - it is the heart of any true crafstman - the quality of product that can only come from a genuine love of the process. (not unlike your poems, i would say.)
very nice image of guitars and life - the children the new vibrations of the world song ---
Your poetry is so elegant SL. I've known a few guitar builders in my life, but none with the beautiful soul of this crafter you have immortalized.
in all art, we must find the life, our life - our spirit- in the craft. thank you.
i would invite you to read my post today and craft a poem for me. 
This is addictive reading. I keep coming back for this again and again. I'd like to spend some time with this gentleman, breathe the fibres and the grains, fondle music from the strings.
Fantastic metaphor harmoniously strung through your sage words of family and life. I love the sound of "guitar children." Even though I know you know by the name used here (S.L.), you still catch me "unguarded" and it's still a joy to feast upon your utterances.
I can't think of a comment on your poem that wouldn't be obvious or trivial, but I would like to leave a note to say I have read it - and appreciated it - very much.
Mary Sharpe
HUGH AND CAMELLIA
KGT, oh yes, I have an idea of what you mean, though I've never actually been there (in a bar in New Orleans). Glad you liked this piece.
K., it's home, all right, snug in its spot in my sidebar. I appreciate the fact that you've thought of and regarded me as a recipient; I really do.
Annamari, Lorenzo, thanks!
Henry, "I love the image of guitar as children and in big families." Yeah, makes me wistful when I think about it, makes me think of my own extended family.
Rachel, Bob, thank you for the generous words.
Ario, I wrote the second half of the poem while listening to Andres Segovia (I love his classical guitar pieces) on my mp3 player; that might account for the flow you've sensed. (I think so, too)
Re: the link to the individual post. I deliberately omitted it (along with links to monthly/yearly archives) from the template I made for this blog.
Carole, Bob, glad to hear that.
Kramer, haha! Salamat!
Joaquin, your eloquent feedback has made my day. Your compliment at the end really humbles me; thank you for such recognition.
Barbara, thanks!
Cat, Gel, such kind words, dear.
Kim, okay, I'm intrigued. (grin) I'll be dropping by shortly to check it out.
Brad, it would certainly be time well spent, though it be spent merely listening. (I'd happily be the audience, too).
Mary, much obliged, for the visit and the comment. Cheers.
Are you familiar with the song, "Leader of the Band" by Dan Folgelberg (sp?). It is a special favorite of mine and it kept running through my head as I read your beautifully crafted poem. Thank you so much for this one.
Elizabeth
I like it. Not only that - I like poetry and I teach the guitar and, well, think there should be more poetry about the guitar. (There is quite a lot probably -The Blue Guitar springs to mind- but there should be more!)
Elizabeth, I'm familiar with the song, though I haven't listened to it in a long while. To refresh my memory, I looked it up in Youtube, and found this helpful link (with the lyrics quoted, too).
Yes, I get what you mean now. The lyrics are beautiful, poetic; the melody, soothing. Thank you for mentioning this song by Fogelberg. Cheers.
Dominic, hear, hear! Wallace Stevens did come up with a gem (a long necklace of it, actually) with that guitar poem of his. I'm actually wishing for a specific poem, heavy with details, about the Spanish/classical guitar, by one like Andres Segovia who is (was) a master at it. (wistful sigh)
Miss,
please pardon my intrusion. I was referred to your site by a reader. Indulge and allow me the opportunity to tell you that your poetry has captivated me.
Thank you,
Dean
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