Lily Karter

Lily Karter Mar 2013

“Whatever anyone does or says, I must be emerald and keep my colour.”*
(Marcus Aurelius; Meditations)

As many of you may already know by now, the above quote by Marcus Aurelius has been my motto in life. But today I raise a question for all of us to think about! What happens when one day someone comes exploding into your life and already knows that you're an emerald? You have spent your life keeping your color; despite the fears, betrayals, disappointments and hurts, then what if one day somebody falls down from the assembly of the gods and simply knows you through and through? Your color, your worth... the fact that you are emerald! The question is: how do you stop "keeping" color, when all you have left to do is simply to "be" emerald? No more fear. How does one begin to cope with the sudden loss of fear? Certainly it is the very best thing that can happen to an individual on earth, but I am startled by the realization that letting go of the battle against life and simply being alive, might actually require courage, in itself! It takes courage not only to fight; it also takes courage to believe that good things can happen. It takes courage to simply have grace, to breathe. There comes a time when you no longer need to protect yourself, and that is just as honourable, and perhaps even more honourable, than all the battles you stood up to fight!

As I read this a few minutes ago, I knew I had to share it.
No, it's not a poem, but the message and question it presents is marvelous.

-LK

Lily Karter Mar 2013

Freedom

I am done with the chains that seem to bind me to your feet.
No more broken promises.
No more lies
I wont give you a chance to deceit me again.
I was there every time you were in need.
But where were you when my soul cried out for you.
I thought what we had was true.
But I can tell you only used me for the attention.
If you cared for me,
where were you when I hit rock bottom?

It could be that I expected too much from you,
Or that you weren't who I wanted you to be.
If everything you ever did was sincere,
If everything you ever said was true,
Then this will break your heart.
And I hope it does.

You say you don't know what you want,
But I do.
You say you don't know what you want to do,
But that doesn't matter.

My heart is tired,
And I'm taking it for a rest.
I just hope if you are going to realize what happened,
I hope you do it soon because if I'm too far gone,
You won't be able to find me.

Maybe later we could start from scratch.
Otherwise,
Our journey ends here.
Maybe when we're old,
We will think this was just a dream,
Or a well written song.

Lily Karter Mar 2013

A Late Winter's Night

Frozen toes,
Icy nose.
Rested eyes,
Curled up spine.

Light the hearth,
Open a book
To read in
The warmth.

Lily Karter Mar 2013

Broken Hopes

As the tree is fertilized by its own broken branches and fallen leaves, and grows out of its own decay, so men and nations are better improved by trial, and refined cut of broken hopes and blighted expectations.

*F. W. Robertson

Lily Karter Mar 2013

No Love; No Woes

He who has no love,
Has no woes.

Thats what I hear.
It's a sad truth
That I'm not fond of.

In this world today,
It's hard to decipher
Real emotions
From those of
The liars.

It's truly heartbreaking
That someone would lie
About such a thing.
To use you for their
Better good.

But maybe they're ahead of the game,
Because

He who has no love,
Has no woes.

Lily Karter Feb 2013

My Sixth Sense

I've always been able to feel how people are.
As strange as it sounds,
my sixth sense is stranger.

I've known you for years.
Your almost jet black hair,
chiseled jaw with a scruffy beard,
and those beautiful eyes to die for.

You have two personalities,
but you aren't insane.
The one people see every day,
So charismatic
and brilliant.
So illuminous you make
my eyes burn.
Talkative, fun,
always the life of the party.
But,
You know,

I see through it.
Through those glassy eyes,
they tell it all.

I see your kind heart,
the generosity you give.
Yet you are sill afraid
they will take advantage.
You have this hard, happy shell...
but this scared, secretive inside.

I commend how clever you are.
I really do.

Some how you convince everyone
that they know the real you,
but they have no idea.

And I,
I saw it in an instant.*
It's crazy how I feel how you are.
It's crazy how I can't explain it.
But I know you,
and I can
read your heart.

I know your fears,
But I will
never tell.

Hardly am I ever wrong when I read someone.
This poem is about someone I've grown close to, and what I read every time I'm with them.

Lily Karter Feb 2013

20w

Awakening with wide eyes.
I roll over, and see you peacefully lay.
I close my lids, back asleep I go.