It's a peace that comes over me
A wave of quiet
Crashing around me
Sucking out the noise
Everyday noise
Long times longing
Belonging within
A circle spun out
Long before me
It's where I come from
Aging relative brings contact
Reaffirms what
I already knew
Solace in knowledge
Questing, caring, asking
Am I taking care?
Am I paying attention?
The waves crash around me
173 years of peace and wisdom
Am I fine? Not the stock answer,
Really asking, listening
Offering sage wisdom
Not forced, just set on the table
For the taking or leaving
My father's brother sharing
Concerns I've had,
Patience, waiting for the crisis
Yet to come, a stroke or perhaps
Wandering off the edge
Existence ever fragile,
A keen eye on the maybe
A tear on the likely
Watching all your friends
And family die, isn't lonely
It's life, better for the acceptance
Worse for the resigning to it.
Chances are there for the taking
Not by him or her, but each
Of their own, for their own
Fruit we pick is the feast
We have bounty or rot
As by our own hand and not
Calling as it is the scenes
On the stage that is our life
Curtain calls by our performance or
Curtains, sewn by our own hand
Connections to the possible
Dreams of what could be
Woven from the same cloth as
You owe me and I never
How fickle the current
How strong the paddle
How mysterious the strokes never taken
Awesome outlook. It couldn't have come at a better moment. Good luck with your current and the paddling. Thanks
ReplyDeletebeautiful
ReplyDeleteit's all bigger, more interconnected and deliberate than we realize
WD, I wanted to tell you that I first read this last night when I was struggling with some things. It touched me deeply. I've re-read it several times today. I want to comment intelligently, so will wait until tomorrow to do that. I expect to be fully myself tomorrow. But for today I just want to say "thank you for this". You struck all kinds of chords with me.
ReplyDeleteI am knocked out by the number of poets,essayists and overall lyrical-quality writers that happen to be blogging-bicycle-enthusiasts. Are literary, philosophical types drawn to biking or does a lot of time on a bike foster poetic talent and philosophical perspective?
ReplyDeleteThis poem of yours is so full!
Terry the desert rat
HWB - Glad to have hit the moment. Life is a fascinating experience if we only stop to consider it every once and again.
ReplyDeleteTOB - Quite so.
Limes - You are welcome. There are times I watch the verse pour out across the page, often as I process a recent experience and I feel more like an editor than a writer.
TR - Cycling is an interesting mix of contemplation and extreme drive. The answer to your question is Yes but the order isn't relevant.