Home is where she kept her trinkets, sometimes in boxes,
the place mother's hair went from brown, to black, to grey.
She once hid fathers cigaretts inside the dresser drawer,
staving death with an impotent gesture.
Home is where father learned to quit - or else,
the place where she dug holes, built tree forts,
and read the first book to make her cry.
Home is the place mother watched her brother die.
Home is where she colored Care-Bears and chased grasshoppers,
and took pride in homework on the fridge.
Home is where the breathing machine took up a full corner,
where the wheel chair sat in another.
Home is where she begins anew
putting trust in a family of two
where memory mixes with hope
fresh stems poking from broken ground.
The windows shifted, the doors changed colors.
"We always have each other
except you can't feel your brother."
Home is where she can point to the spot of his last breaths,
where father was the steady rock,
where the same man was a pebble thrown past his purpose
Where father wept.
Where mother couldn't leave, couldn't stay.
The place where meaning is buried in the ground.
Home is why they moved away.
Home is the port where my ship casts off
and the seas from which I have come,
where the waves pass over the spot he lay.
Home is what they search for now:
aged birds able to build a nest
where these walls won't remind them
of their son at rest.
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Words Loose From Their Docks - a poem about Abstractions
Words cut loose from their docks
sailing out in the open sea
just past your vision,
a mirage dancing the waves.
'Society' floats with a big blanket for a mast,
mooring out into past the horizon,
never touching its hull to the sand.
'Justice' has never docked,
perhaps it is a spectral ship
having no man stepping on the deck.
Have you ever seen 'Democracy'
and watched sailors join her rank?
Or sailed past 'time'
and seen rot and the effects of age?
Were the images defined?
Could you see it in the clear?
Floating loose, gone from control
trolling, rolling
separated from the center
What is 'justice?' Can you see our 'rights?'
Abstract, abstract -
pull language further from the docks.
synopsis: The words like 'society' in the metaphor of the poem are ships, but also are words high up on the abstraction ladder, having little observational referent in reality. Thus in the metaphor these ships/words have been released from the docks/reality. The ideas/ships exist abstractly, and thus are hinted to be spectral, or bordering between existing in reality and in the imagination. However, people rarely think about the word choice used to create our mindsets or form our ideas and truly consider what 'justice' or 'society' means. This makes us vunerable in the sense that a spinster politician or leader can weave a beautiful picture of ideals promoting a 'harmonious society,' or 'social justice' when in essence we have no true definition (much less a thing that these truly refer to) to the words. Thus through the use of words high up on the abstraction ladder we sail the ship of language and understanding further and further from the docks, taking our worldviews further from reality and more into idealism (which is not altogether bad, but something we should be aware of.) Word choice often sounds so good because it has little referent for us to have negative experiences with, or often so bad because of the connotations (or subjective feelings) placed on the words by repeated use in speeches and no true experience of the word because it lacks referent. Words are powerful things for deciding our world view and how we are geared to make snap judgments. It is important that we take responsibility and acknowledge the power of words and search for the true meaning and intention behind any abstract word (which in a sense is every single word, but go higher up on the ladder to make this manageable.)
sailing out in the open sea
just past your vision,
a mirage dancing the waves.
'Society' floats with a big blanket for a mast,
mooring out into past the horizon,
never touching its hull to the sand.
'Justice' has never docked,
perhaps it is a spectral ship
having no man stepping on the deck.
Have you ever seen 'Democracy'
and watched sailors join her rank?
Or sailed past 'time'
and seen rot and the effects of age?
Were the images defined?
Could you see it in the clear?
Floating loose, gone from control
trolling, rolling
separated from the center
What is 'justice?' Can you see our 'rights?'
Abstract, abstract -
pull language further from the docks.
synopsis: The words like 'society' in the metaphor of the poem are ships, but also are words high up on the abstraction ladder, having little observational referent in reality. Thus in the metaphor these ships/words have been released from the docks/reality. The ideas/ships exist abstractly, and thus are hinted to be spectral, or bordering between existing in reality and in the imagination. However, people rarely think about the word choice used to create our mindsets or form our ideas and truly consider what 'justice' or 'society' means. This makes us vunerable in the sense that a spinster politician or leader can weave a beautiful picture of ideals promoting a 'harmonious society,' or 'social justice' when in essence we have no true definition (much less a thing that these truly refer to) to the words. Thus through the use of words high up on the abstraction ladder we sail the ship of language and understanding further and further from the docks, taking our worldviews further from reality and more into idealism (which is not altogether bad, but something we should be aware of.) Word choice often sounds so good because it has little referent for us to have negative experiences with, or often so bad because of the connotations (or subjective feelings) placed on the words by repeated use in speeches and no true experience of the word because it lacks referent. Words are powerful things for deciding our world view and how we are geared to make snap judgments. It is important that we take responsibility and acknowledge the power of words and search for the true meaning and intention behind any abstract word (which in a sense is every single word, but go higher up on the ladder to make this manageable.)
Friday, November 30, 2007
River Running Passionate and Strong
River running passionate and strong
Over the course a rock… or two
The stream moves forward
Ever moving and yet unchanging
For this Water is in Truth
We walked along the river bank
Skimming the wetness while moving along
Breathing in the air around us
Not yet singing the Water’s song
Dipping our toes to know only of potential
Currents ran with powered fate
Toe dipping transformed into a wade
Called by natural affinity to waters true
Along the banks of polluted and stagnant ponds
Skipping in and out the river’s peace
Refreshment found… a brief reprieve
Then back again to the grinding scene
Is such water our only breath?
This the question we to ourselves did test
And yet the beckon: come in to waters true
Careless children, we dirtied ourselves
Running in through darkened forests
Grimed of mud and cut by nice smelling pine
Instead of water, to breathe in wine!
Forest dark and dreary, stepped upon and now are weary
Forget the forest and it’s besmirch
Dive in the pond together… it works!
Swim walled in by the earthly on all sides
Live here in love, anger, and lies
Into the mossy and stagnant pond
Swim lively, swim cold… Tired? It’s old.
The earth closes in on the breadth of the pond
Wounds of old plagued by moss and stagnation
Discovered from one to another… tribulation!
Trapped in a body where sickness breeds
Let it go! I Love. Give Water True to me.
We leave the sick pond in tears and shame
But there is one river to wash us clear again
Here we leave by choice, from pond to river.
The pond is our past…
and now we seek that which will ever last.
The river runs deep and ever forward.
The source of which is one Holy Sword
Immersed in God’s stream is the home of true love
Where sin and resentment come white as the dove
On the edge I won’t stand. Here! One valiant leap!
Into the current, away with the past
Swim with me together, ever be my guard
Delivered unto Truth… we can no longer stand
Instead we are humbled, love is a different brand
River running passionate and strong
Over the course a rock… or two
The stream moves forward
Ever moving and yet unchanging
For this Water is in Truth.
Over the course a rock… or two
The stream moves forward
Ever moving and yet unchanging
For this Water is in Truth
We walked along the river bank
Skimming the wetness while moving along
Breathing in the air around us
Not yet singing the Water’s song
Dipping our toes to know only of potential
Currents ran with powered fate
Toe dipping transformed into a wade
Called by natural affinity to waters true
Along the banks of polluted and stagnant ponds
Skipping in and out the river’s peace
Refreshment found… a brief reprieve
Then back again to the grinding scene
Is such water our only breath?
This the question we to ourselves did test
And yet the beckon: come in to waters true
Careless children, we dirtied ourselves
Running in through darkened forests
Grimed of mud and cut by nice smelling pine
Instead of water, to breathe in wine!
Forest dark and dreary, stepped upon and now are weary
Forget the forest and it’s besmirch
Dive in the pond together… it works!
Swim walled in by the earthly on all sides
Live here in love, anger, and lies
Into the mossy and stagnant pond
Swim lively, swim cold… Tired? It’s old.
The earth closes in on the breadth of the pond
Wounds of old plagued by moss and stagnation
Discovered from one to another… tribulation!
Trapped in a body where sickness breeds
Let it go! I Love. Give Water True to me.
We leave the sick pond in tears and shame
But there is one river to wash us clear again
Here we leave by choice, from pond to river.
The pond is our past…
and now we seek that which will ever last.
The river runs deep and ever forward.
The source of which is one Holy Sword
Immersed in God’s stream is the home of true love
Where sin and resentment come white as the dove
On the edge I won’t stand. Here! One valiant leap!
Into the current, away with the past
Swim with me together, ever be my guard
Delivered unto Truth… we can no longer stand
Instead we are humbled, love is a different brand
River running passionate and strong
Over the course a rock… or two
The stream moves forward
Ever moving and yet unchanging
For this Water is in Truth.
Friendship of Edification
Friendship of Edification
Colors fade as days pass,
Interests come and go.
Chitter-chatter and light banter,
College life you know?
Yearn for deeper, hope for more.
Searching to find value,
Waiting for the open door.
Enter, exit, just passing through.
Life delay…
We’re here to be somewhere else.
Here and now…
What is there but fun?
Whisper softly: There is more.
Can you find it?
Is it there?
How deep do you breathe in search of air?
Inspiration
Relief, reprieve – solid meaning.
I found it, its here.
I know because you care.
Deep conversation, soul stimulation.
Unraveled knowing, I AM growing.
Here and now, we are.
Friendship gives us solid ground,
Roots beneath our feet.
I am here and I belong…
I can feel it when you’re with me.
Friendships are the core to value,
For it gives us means to hope.
Living more then the flow of time.
We have a friendship of edification,
You give me inspiration.
Colors fade as days pass,
Interests come and go.
Chitter-chatter and light banter,
College life you know?
Yearn for deeper, hope for more.
Searching to find value,
Waiting for the open door.
Enter, exit, just passing through.
Life delay…
We’re here to be somewhere else.
Here and now…
What is there but fun?
Whisper softly: There is more.
Can you find it?
Is it there?
How deep do you breathe in search of air?
Inspiration
Relief, reprieve – solid meaning.
I found it, its here.
I know because you care.
Deep conversation, soul stimulation.
Unraveled knowing, I AM growing.
Here and now, we are.
Friendship gives us solid ground,
Roots beneath our feet.
I am here and I belong…
I can feel it when you’re with me.
Friendships are the core to value,
For it gives us means to hope.
Living more then the flow of time.
We have a friendship of edification,
You give me inspiration.
Crackle, Zip, and Drip
Crackle, twist, bend,
Snap and break.
Oh the messy leaves of
My life I rake!
School here, work there
Money, grades… grades and money…
Buzz, Zip
Azzzoooom!
Honey comb and hive!
Oh buzzing bees
Swarm me, swarm free!
Friends, teammates, clubs
And a love…
Is there difference
between bee and dove?
Drip, paoop, whshwww,
Crashing wave upon the shore
Frivolous? Frivolous no more!
Give me that ocean
Immerse me in depth
Submerge me in meaning
Eureka, My Soul!
The falling leaves of achievement,
Inanimate objects gone in a season.
Social buzzing around,
Individuals and groups surrounding me
Oh but deep blue,
depth of the eye
Window to the soul
In that am I,
I am in that.
Rough, turbulent, untamable sea
Such is the passionate youth in me
Calm, tranquil, serene pond
Mirror my connection to a deeper bond
Frozen ice, magnificent glacier
Be my potential, my unused nature!
Water deep, water blue
If only we knew!
Shape and form?
We are more!
Expansive possibilities
Metamorphose and change
World of potential
Ocean of range!
Crackle, Zip, and Drip
Push, pull and still
Frivolous, noise, chatter…
What more?
Everything! Everything!
Be that and more!
Snap and break.
Oh the messy leaves of
My life I rake!
School here, work there
Money, grades… grades and money…
Buzz, Zip
Azzzoooom!
Honey comb and hive!
Oh buzzing bees
Swarm me, swarm free!
Friends, teammates, clubs
And a love…
Is there difference
between bee and dove?
Drip, paoop, whshwww,
Crashing wave upon the shore
Frivolous? Frivolous no more!
Give me that ocean
Immerse me in depth
Submerge me in meaning
Eureka, My Soul!
The falling leaves of achievement,
Inanimate objects gone in a season.
Social buzzing around,
Individuals and groups surrounding me
Oh but deep blue,
depth of the eye
Window to the soul
In that am I,
I am in that.
Rough, turbulent, untamable sea
Such is the passionate youth in me
Calm, tranquil, serene pond
Mirror my connection to a deeper bond
Frozen ice, magnificent glacier
Be my potential, my unused nature!
Water deep, water blue
If only we knew!
Shape and form?
We are more!
Expansive possibilities
Metamorphose and change
World of potential
Ocean of range!
Crackle, Zip, and Drip
Push, pull and still
Frivolous, noise, chatter…
What more?
Everything! Everything!
Be that and more!
Poetry from CWC piece two
Two Storm Elements: Drizzle and Wind
Drizzle numbs
not caressing, not slapping –
simply cold.
Wind however whispers
allaying secrets
ensconced in darkness
tempting ears to brave drizzle.
Drizzle numbs
not caressing, not slapping –
simply cold.
Wind however whispers
allaying secrets
ensconced in darkness
tempting ears to brave drizzle.
Poetry from BC Creative Writing Club Meeting 11-29-07
Impact – Harmony
In the world we have two natures –
the voice that says “mine”
and the voice that does not speak because presence is unified
so that there is no one
to speak with.
‘mine’ carries a hammer
building bridges, wonders, and junk –
striking against the nail,
moving the object to its will.
The voice that does not speak,
in a paradox of voice…
Sings.
humming and buzzing in Tune
Producing a Harmony not often Heard
Within Identity;
Stroking piano keys inside a symphony.
The hammer seeks to mould;
the piano seeks to meld.
The impact of nails leaves scars in the wood.
The piano produces, is heard or ignored, and fades –
Enhancing the player through Practice.
Perhaps our builder screws into the wood
and realizes he has made a mistake…
he releases his binding
and has left:
a Screwed Board
-- too flawed for the next attempt.
Our musician plays his keys
and perhaps misses a note, but
his impact lacks destructive force.
He is now more practiced,
better equipped to once again try for Harmony
more able to contribute his Art.
so in Life I Choose –
I am not a builder hammering
out my vision
I am not a screwed board.
Rather I am
I am learning to play my notes,
Practicing my harmony production,
Gaining experience from the missed notes
Adding to the collective
Creative
And Malleable
Symphony of Life.
In the world we have two natures –
the voice that says “mine”
and the voice that does not speak because presence is unified
so that there is no one
to speak with.
‘mine’ carries a hammer
building bridges, wonders, and junk –
striking against the nail,
moving the object to its will.
The voice that does not speak,
in a paradox of voice…
Sings.
humming and buzzing in Tune
Producing a Harmony not often Heard
Within Identity;
Stroking piano keys inside a symphony.
The hammer seeks to mould;
the piano seeks to meld.
The impact of nails leaves scars in the wood.
The piano produces, is heard or ignored, and fades –
Enhancing the player through Practice.
Perhaps our builder screws into the wood
and realizes he has made a mistake…
he releases his binding
and has left:
a Screwed Board
-- too flawed for the next attempt.
Our musician plays his keys
and perhaps misses a note, but
his impact lacks destructive force.
He is now more practiced,
better equipped to once again try for Harmony
more able to contribute his Art.
so in Life I Choose –
I am not a builder hammering
out my vision
I am not a screwed board.
Rather I am
I am learning to play my notes,
Practicing my harmony production,
Gaining experience from the missed notes
Adding to the collective
Creative
And Malleable
Symphony of Life.
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