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JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

0 posted 2011-03-27 08:14 AM

With apologizes to Robert Frost

Whose thoughts are these I think,
Amid the jungle of lost words?
It's all I can do to stay in sync,
My thoughts now seem so very blurred.

I stare across the lake so wide,
In my mind I've come back to here.
It's so bleak on the other side,
A person could just disappear.

My inner sanctum calls for me,
Says I may have gone much too far.
Buried thoughts will not give you glee,
You've been there before; left a scar.

I suck in a tentative breath,
Remembering my wife Nanette.
I've things to do before my death,
I've things to do before my death.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

1 posted 2011-03-27 12:09 PM

Nice one Jerry! No apologies necessary to Frost or anyone else. Love your ending.
Lori

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2011-03-27 12:56 PM

Thanks, Lori. Well Frost was the inspiration for those two last lines anyway. I appreciate your comments.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

3 posted 2011-03-27 02:29 PM

No matter how much we do we'll always have things to do before our death. Enjoyed your words, Jerry.

Helen

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

4 posted 2011-03-27 03:42 PM

Ain't dat da truff, Helen, ain't dat da truff?

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

5 posted 2011-03-27 05:49 PM

Love this reflection on love, life and living.

Death is just part of the process, and still....so little time.

Very much enjoyed your poem JP~

faithmairee
Senior Member

since 2011-01-05

Posts 1441
Poe Haven, USA

6 posted 2011-03-27 06:40 PM

wow...this is so good, JerryPat with such a powerful ending...i truly enjoyed this

There must be a poem in here somewhere.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

7 posted 2011-03-27 06:52 PM

I know that is the truth, Blues, it seems the closer we get to the winding down of our lives the more we want to do. It's as if we put such a load on ourselves insofar as things we want to do that we can stave off that fateful day.

Faith, thank you for your very kind words. It seems we live a whole lifetime, but still think we need to keep on keeping. Ah, I know that I stay busy with my projects, the older I get the more things I try to do, but things I should have done at a much younger age. Appreciate the read and comments.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

8 posted 2011-03-27 06:57 PM

I know that is the truth, Blues, it seems the closer we get to the winding down of our lives the more we want to do. It's as if we put such a load on ourselves insofar as things we want to do that we can stave off that fateful day.

Faith, thank you for your very kind words. It seems we live a whole lifetime, but still think we need to keep on keeping. Ah, I know that I stay busy with my projects, the older I get the more things I try to do, but things I should have done at a much younger age. Appreciate the read and comments.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

s1nfully_1nn0c3nt
Senior Member

since 2003-10-26

Posts 1105
Watertown, NY

9 posted 2011-03-27 08:44 PM

Hmmm....Death....I've come to find that I do not fear death, for it is inevitable. I only fear the uncertainty AFTER death. Like the thoughts behind this piece.

"I've things to do before my death."

As do I, but I'm a PROcrastinator :P
Always enjoy the pieces you leave for us m'friend.

-Trina
Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.

ethome
Member Patricius

since 2000-05-14

Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada

10 posted 2011-03-27 09:20 PM

I've so many things to do before and after my death.
However, I'm in no hurry to get them all done.
I've always been lazy that way.

Great thought stimulator Jerry. I enjoyed the read.

Eric

true love never looks after it's own interests

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

11 posted 2011-03-27 10:03 PM

I don't fear death either, Trina, it's the getting there that gives me some pause. I think when we get older we like to keep saying, not just yet, I've things to do before my death. Thank you for the compliment.

Eric, I hear you, and I think most of us are a bit lazy, especially when it comes to dealing with what needs to be done before that big day arrives. Thanks for being here, I appreciate it.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

dreamgal
Member

since 2011-03-17

Posts 442

12 posted 2011-03-27 11:27 PM

This was very good Jerry, I had a really tough day and this was one of the first I read. Enjoyed it very much, thanks for sharing.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

13 posted 2011-03-28 08:11 AM

Good morning, dreamgal, and thank you very much.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Misty Lilacs
Senior Member

since 2005-11-15

Posts 1060
White Birch Forest

14 posted 2011-03-28 10:01 AM

I've things to do before my death,
I've things to do before my death.

Oh, how I understand these words. Enjoyed this very much.

ooxx Marti

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

15 posted 2011-03-28 12:06 PM

I am happy you can understand where those lines were coming fro, Marti. Thank you so much for being here.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

16 posted 2011-03-28 05:49 PM

quote:
I suck in a tentative breath,
Remembering my wife Nanette.
I've things to do before my death,
I've things to do before my death.

Sometimes there are such moments, when we think the moment might have come, then we remember a loved one who has gone before us, but though we wish to meet them again, we also feel the sorrow of leaving many things undone. It's a paradox.

I think you expressed these eternal thoughts extremely well.

Love and long live the Poet!
Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

17 posted 2011-03-28 06:04 PM

You do understand, Margherita, and thank you for that. Would that I could cup her beautiful face again with my hands.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

Klassy Lassy
Member Elite

since 2005-06-28

Posts 2187
Oregon

18 posted 2011-03-29 02:55 AM

I have a great deal of respect for these thoughts, knowing what it is to speak into a vacuum and to miss familiar warmth...out of reach. There are things to do, reflections to validate and perpetuate the heart...wanting to radiate here as well, the substance of soul, the warmth of living well.

I am reminded of a quote by Richard Bach.
On the back cover of his book, Illusions, is printed: "Here is at test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't."

Your poem wells in my mind. Sometimes, we simply have to gather feathers.

~Karen

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

19 posted 2011-03-29 06:48 AM

Thank you for the extensive complimentary thoughts of your own here, Karen, they are much appreciated.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

20 posted 2011-03-29 12:47 PM

With further apologies to Frost:

Whose poem this is, I think I know.
His heart is in the right place though.
He will not mind my interacting thus
in order my appreciation to show.

His elegant pen must find it queer
to follow paths not of good cheer.
It wants him to know she will be there
ready to pull out a comfortable chair.

It gives it’s ink a subtle shake
and tells him that she will forever wait.
Nanette will help him with whatever he needs
to do, to complete his list of deeds.

Jerry’s words are lovely, dark and deep
and we hope there are many poems of his to keep
before his final Heavenly sleep
before his final Heavenly sleep.

Owl

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

21 posted 2011-03-29 01:47 PM

Well, of course I shall keep this one, Owl. You shine brilliantly herein, and I thank you profusely. 'Nuff said.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

22 posted 2011-03-29 02:13 PM

Thank you, Jerry. It was (truly) my pleasure. Robert Frost and you are favourites of mine. I am honoured by what you said.

Owl

Amaryllis
Senior Member

since 2010-05-20

Posts 1306
Mi now

23 posted 2011-03-29 02:33 PM

What a gorgeous nod to Frost... so poignant, introspective. I was touched by your choice to leave the reader with their breath on `Nanette` (what a beautiful name) just before the wisdom in the final couplet. It shows a health and thankfulness to a memory whose sting has faded, yet whose scar is cherished.

Well done.

~Amary

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

24 posted 2011-03-29 09:35 PM

"sting has faded, yet whose scar is cherished."

Yes. Yes. That is beautiful, Amary. I am a little overwhelmed that you put me in the same room as Frost. When I apologized, I meant it. I can't get over your beautiful phrase above. Thank you. It is perfect for what I feel.

~ OK, so what's the speed of dark? ~

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