He debuted
eyes steel blue,
with a silver chalice
tinging his lips.
After a rocky start
and a long, hot summer,
he was no left-handed kid anymore,
chasing the cat on a hot tin roof.
He made
an exodus to being
a hustler,
a heel,
a harper,
and an hombre.
Then through a torn curtain
he emerged cool-handed,
butch, but
with a winning smile.
Even the sting of age
did not take away
the verdict: steel blue is
the color of money.
__________________________
Paul Newman (1925-2008) films include The Silver Chalice, Somebody Up There Likes Me (as Rocky Marciano), The Left Handed Gun, The Long, Hot Summer, Cat on a Hot Tine Roof, Exodus, The Hustler, Hud, Harper, Torn Curtain, Hombre, Cool Hand Luke, Winning, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Verdict, The Color of Money.
Aug 12, 2010: revised and linked to from Poets United Think Tank #10, The Eyes
This is a very cool poem. I really enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI still remember when he ate 40 hard boiled eggs in Cool Hand Luke...thanks for bringing that image to the surface. I agree with Paul, cool piece...you do Newman justice.
ReplyDelete~Brenda
lovely poem!! Paul Newman is awesome....
ReplyDeleteHi Philip (that's one of my brothers names)I really like how you put in all the references to his movies, nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteI love "steel blue is the color of money".......hee hee........very witty. Love all the characters he morphed into. Really cool take on the prompt, I enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteOh, you have captured Paul Newman beautifully. I love:
ReplyDeleteHe made
an exodus to being
a hustler,
a heel,
a harper,
and an hombre.
Wonderful poem. And so true that Paul Newman lost nothing with age. His eyes were blue as ever!
ReplyDeleteGreat poem, Philip! The blue eyes were matched by a steely talent, and the quest for excellence..an unbeatable combination!
ReplyDeletePaul Newman...wow what eyes, I love how you covered his roles so poetically...wonderful prompt! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever use of an 'eyes' theme, to draw upon one of the greatest stars and his beautiful eyes, Paul Newman.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this poem very much indeed.
Eileen