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Open Poetry #42
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WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218


0 posted 2008-05-28 12:17 PM


A wind blows and leaves scatter, a wind all too familiar;
another wind comes and scents of delicate flowers fill the night air:
and what do they all mean, these strange, strange winds
but that the Earth is changing her seasons and scenery?

Is it any different with those of us tied to her cycles?
As the tides, our cycles can be brief, thunderous even
or they can stretch monotonously through months and years
but of change, that we can be sure -- of change we will taste.

We build in valleys; hang castles on sides of rocky peaks;
our brief sojourn walled in and roofed upon and floored under
to keep the sand, rocks and mud from soiling our softened feet;
to keep snow and rain, heat and insects from harming our skin.

In our comfort, do we not often forget this inescapable fact:
that a human life is very short, and not always so very sweet?
Do we not forget to share the temporary blessing of one life
experienced briefly in such flimsy tents we call our bodies?

Late in the night, more often than not,  I feel this call;
not frightening, not pleasant; a definite wistfulness unformed.
It is the call of the wild, the pull of the unknown, as if to say:
your time here is almost done, and are you ready for the road?

I'd like to say I do not feel a deep regret, a great sadness
knowing I have to leave, knowing so much is left unseen; undone;
I'd like to say I do not feel a great relief to know this much:
There seems no way I can prevent my boarding this last bus.

In my small way, in my meek wanderings, I learned this much:
life does not consist of being well always, or being rich or right;
nor does it consist of being pleasantly sated, and always satisfied.
Life consists in traveling lightly, freely and finally letting go the string.

There is one last strange wind to blow from the sea, silent as a desert
and only I will taste that wind, and only I will know where it goes to.
It will be the last change of seasons for this body I have called home.
I cannot say I will be sad; I cannot say I will be glad.  

All I can say is: I accept.

© Copyright 2008 Sharran WindWalker - All Rights Reserved
Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 posted 2008-05-28 12:40 PM


WindWalker,

This is well written, and philosophically interesting.  In my present state of youth (71), I lean more heavily towards Dylan Thomas and his “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”

"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Bobby

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
2 posted 2008-05-28 01:10 PM


One Who Walks With the Wind ~

A plethora of emotions ran through my body ~ and my spirit, as I read your graceful words of acceptance and surrendering. Que sera, sera. What will be will be.

I truly had a tear spill from my eye (the left one! ) as a came to the close of this eloquent penning.

May your time be a long time in coming. You spread such beauty and divine understanding through your poetry.

With love and respect,

Linda

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2008-05-28 01:12 PM


Ooooops! ~ a


Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2008-05-28 01:35 PM


Your deep wisdom and gift of expression is a gift to all of your readers. I keep many of your poems to read again and again not only because I enjoy them but because I learn from them.
                                    Ida

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
5 posted 2008-05-29 08:09 AM


I love the concept the final wind belongs to you, WW, and you alone. But I believe your words and deeds will remain aloft and free to travel long after the physical body releases the spirit of who you are.  
This is a humbling read, profoundly intimate yet universal. May that final season for each of us be a peaceful one, however long it lasts.

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
6 posted 2008-05-29 02:12 PM


I had to re-visit this a second time today.
This is one poem that MUST find itself in my library. Thanks, WW!

"it's always something..."
roseanna roseannadanna

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
7 posted 2008-05-29 07:21 PM


profound and superbly written!

I am especially fond of:

"Life consists in traveling lightly, freely and finally letting go the string.

There is one last strange wind to blow from the sea, silent as a desert
and only I will taste that wind, and only I will know where it goes to..."

significant and sustained applause for this 'penning!'

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
8 posted 2008-05-29 09:22 PM


I agree with Midnitesun!

Much Enjoyed!

ARCTIC WIND

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2008-06-01 03:35 AM


Whilst I seldom agree with absolutely everything you say - as is true about this poem, I agree with most of it. I enjoyed your your philosophy and the images and sounds and senses in your poem very much.  Thank you for letting us walk with you on your mind path.

- Owl

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