about life - Hello Poetry

Sep 2016

Darkly

There are some who may prefer a cloudless sky and the touch of a warm sun. These hearts are similar climates, and you may find them at no great distance from the equator.

Not mine.

My love is for the sedge and moss covered upland of frozen lakes, where the cold white blanket covers the steppes. Peace is found here, among the ice and whispered within the biting gale as it travels over her skin.

Her chill breath touches me, and I am not driven away.
For within my chest beats a fire as black as space between the stars.

And I go unclothed, as the caribou carry me across the frozen land.

I am the horned god.

Like I said. Frayed hair dipped in barbecue sauce. I can't even.

#poot #distressedelephantnoises #11pm #spoot #thealgorithmgotmethroughthis

Aug 2016

Stephan

******* either way

.

Why is it that when I ***** up,
someone above me always seems
to be ******* down?

Aug 2016

SE Reimer

letting go

~

i remember the day
when first we met;
your face i can see,
i'll not ever forget.
hearing your cry,
i sang your first song;
i was just learning then
how to hold on.

off to the playground,
i think you were three;
while crossing the street,
you were clinging to me.
when pushing your swing,
i'd always say,
'i'm right behind you, son,
i'll keep you safe.'

for years we work hard
learning how to hold on,
and then in a moment,
childhood is gone;
no longer their fortress,
our arms they outgrow;
we find we're not ready,
when it's time to let go.

we took you to college,
we set up your room.
had we prepared you?
had we too much assumed?
driving back down the freeway,
hope wrestled with fears;
our struggle to let go,
became a battle with tears.

now at your graveside,
i've come here to weep;
your guardian no longer,
now you're watching me.
though heaven now holds you,
and though hope i yet know,
it makes it no easier,
its still hard to let go.

for years we try hard,
learn just how to hold on,
and then in a moment
this life is gone.
no longer their fortress,
our arms they outgrow,
we don't get to choose when,
it is time to let go.

i still find this painful,
it's so hard to let go.
i will never be ready,
though yes it's time...
time to let go.

~

*post script.

an exchange today with a dear, young mother and family friend about her daughter, growing up far too fast, brought memories of our own child rearing, and of this write from several years ago and originally posted in 2013. its been dusted off, with a bit of a rewrite, but stands, both in sentiment and in structure, relatively unchanged.

these words left in comment to her, i dedicate to each of you young parents... especially you single mothers. "such is the tension of parenting... hang on too closely and a child shows signs of coddling, let go too fast, too early and a child shows signs of parental absence or neglect. the fact that you are aware of the tension means you are far more likely to avoid either extreme; and don't even think about some utopian parenting idea... there is no perfect parent!!"

Aug 2016

Stephan

Like a warm shirt on a chair

.

Minutes fail to move
as I sit here at my desk,
dress shirt and tie, wondering
why am I here,
when everything I want
is somewhere else

Watching the rain
through city streaked windows
dampening the day
Knowing in another place
sunshine dressed borders
glow in summer sleeves

And a cool north wind
cries along with me,
teardrops falling,
attempting to escape
this that is here
in a different fashion

Wanting to be there,
where you are,
wrapping my arms around you
like a warm shirt on a chair
holding onto you,
never letting go

Aug 2016

Elioinai

beautiful life

My night
is filled
with shooting stars
the darkness streaked with light

No longer do the shadows hide
the truth of every fight

The darkness has become beautiful

#love #friends #peace #heart #god #stars #night #joy #light #gift

Aug 2016

Ryan Galloway

Fleeting Joy

I wish that joy etched it's name into my bones, the way despair does.
Happiness is flighty and wisp-like,
While sorrow sinks and clings to hope until it erodes it all away.
Exuberance doesn't follow one around for more than a day, a season, a minute, yet depression can stalk it's prey for a lifetime.
My main thought is that, if joy is so good, why does it leave so quickly, and if despair is so bad why do I cling to it so tightly.

Aug 2016

Vesna Rau

Elementary

Drop – drop – drop - drop – splash
Crack – crack – crack - crack – flash
Blow – blow – blow – blow – smash
Quake – quake – quake – quake – crash

Love – love – love – love – blaze
Run – run – run – run – phase
Live – live – live – live – maze
Talk – talk – talk – talk – phrase

Nothing and everything makes sense
Life is just a glance

A bunch of opportunities you should take
The rolling stone has no brake

Stop the Earth I’m stepping out
Want to see the mess from outside :-)

"the time has gone the song is over thought i'd something more to say"
I always wanted to use these Pink Floyd sentence somewhere ;-)

Aug 2016

Anonymous Freak

Tea With Life

I'm having tea with Life,
And his band of Disappointments.
They dine at my expense,
And they're a hungry bunch of guests.

Tea turned into Supper,
Where the Disappointments drank
My finest wine,
And Life wiped his cruel mouth
On my tablecloth.

You can't have supper without dessert,
So they ate up more of my
Food for thought.
And if you stay for dessert,
You may as well spend the night.
So they did
And burgled my pantry of hopes
For a midnight snack.

One night was lovely,
So Life cackled, "Why not stay two?"
And two turned to a week,
And a week turned into
My sickeningly merry guests
Moving into my dreams,
And inviting in Doubt,
To live with them too,
And of course
Pay no rent.

So I watch my chaotic household
Of a skull,
Where Life has made himself at home
And brought all of his friends.
I stare dully at my ruined
Dining room of thought,
Which they have dominated.
And look wearily for a spare idea
In my raided cupboards.

I've never been one
To evict friends,
So I suppose they're here to stay.
But learn a lesson from me,
And don't ever
Have Life over for tea.

#life #thoughts #nonsense

Jul 2016

Valsa George

What Shall I Serve You?

For long, my house has been lying deserted
My gate has not been opened wide to let in anyone
No guest has so far come to visit me
Tired of distant wanderings
I have come here to listen to the beat of silence
Occasionally broken by the sound
Of birds' laughing wings overhead
Here I have brooding shadows for company
Hermit like I wrap myself in my solitude

Now abruptly when you announce your arrival
I feel excited and equally perplexed
What shall I serve you? I am at a loss
My hearth has not been lighted for long
And my kitchen pots remain empty
I know I should serve you
Something chilled or warm
In my menu, I have a simple surprise
But not of the edible kind
Nor delectable to your palate
But as I have known you since long
I hope it will appease you

In poetry’s platter
I shall serve my thoughts warm,
Garnered in the lonely hours
Of my solitude!

The only dish I have!

Jul 2016

SE Reimer

distilled

~

we are the sum of our whole,
though the soul until death,
is largely unknown.
our words and our deeds,
whatever our needs,
outliving, outpacing
our to-the-end racing,
until all has been
thought, said and done.
when mourners are gone,
the dirges been sung,
all the dear ones departed,
when distilling’s begun.

i believe Antony was wrong,
for the good that men do
lives after them long;
and like sickness, any ill
is interred with their bones.
misdeeds are forgotten,
harsh words set aside,
remembered the kindness,
the love and the pride.
when mourners are gone,
the dirges been sung,
all dear ones departed,
here distilling’s begun.

when the fallen lie in repose,
what’s given in secret,
done deeds not for show;
words gifted are sifted,
here goodness is known.
a life time well-lived
remains hidden not long;
here defeat is forgotten,
only victories won.
when mourners are gone,
the dirges been sung,
all dear ones departed,
then distilling’s begun.

within twilight’s stilling,
begins the distilling;
the good left behind,
in loved ones instilling.

~

*post script.

“travel light; enjoy the journey”
words a son lived by, distilled,
only in death.
we are still...
learning,
still...
distilling,
the depth and the breadth of his life.

— The End —