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Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2011-11-13 05:49 PM

Before My Time

I have to laugh to hear one say
I carry my age well.
I do the math, day by gray day,
…Still wake feeling like hell.
Am I the only one who sees
These tired, soulless eyes
Have paid full this toll of disease,
If not sanctioned its prize?

I feel his hand upon my back,
He’s with me everywhere.
I turn to face the empty black
Of night… nothing else there!
A quiet peace come over me,
I walk – but not alone –
Unto that date with destiny;
The penance all my own.

Weakest, by far, of brothers five,
I was bound to be first.
Chanced, that inequity might thrive,
Have continued on… cursed.
Admittedly not in my prime,
I move on slow and steady.
And though I die before my time,
It’s not before I’m ready.

Am I the only one who sees
That tinge upon the skies?
Or tastes the dryness in a breeze
That Death dons in disguise?
With all regret hope might envision,
Stand I, still, at the gate…
Calculating an indecision
That most mistake for fate.

Where, giving toast that none may hear,
I drink beyond my fill.
For it’s not death of soul I fear,
So much as death of will.
And I, the only one who sees
This madness beyond mending,
In truth am, simply by degrees,
The only one not pretending!

Michael R. Anderson

Fools! if you less provoked your fears,
No more my spectre-form appears.
Death's but a path that must be trod,
If man would ever pass to God;

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

1 posted 2011-11-13 07:22 PM

Oh my, dear Michael, having just seen the movie "Faust" by Aleksandr Sokurov, I must say that your philosophical poetic ponderings here around life and death treat the same themes and with great skill.

Going to read it once again. But then I will shake off all the sadness and visualize a paradisiac scenery ...

Oh and your eyes are definitely rather soulful I would say!

Love and peace.
Margherita

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

2 posted 2011-11-14 01:16 PM

quote:
Admittedly not in my prime,
I move on slow and steady.
And though I die before my time,
It’s not before I’m ready.

I love this and could have easily copied every excellent line! *S* The beginning had me smiling... both because a peek at your pic had me nodding in agreement that you look good whatever your age (even though I can't see gray LOL) and because my thoughts had gone down another path and I had to rein them back in - when I read the title, I was thinking about your poetry and how it's reminiscent of another age. *S*

But I digress... as usual. LOL This is pensive perfection!! I just hope you'll forgive me hoping that you keep moving on unfearing for a long, long time? *S*

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

3 posted 2011-11-23 02:26 AM

Well done, Michael. Well done.
Ida

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

4 posted 2011-11-23 03:14 PM

We each walk our own path - alone amongst all others. Well done, Mike..

ebonygirl
Member Elite

since 2011-07-14

Posts 2000
California U.S.A

5 posted 2011-11-23 05:10 PM

That you don't pretend is what I admire most in your poetry,
Appreciate your poetry Michael,
Ms. e

Spiros Zafiris
Senior Member

since 2002-10-20

Posts 982
Canada

6 posted 2011-11-23 09:28 PM

..hello..enjoyed your poem..i always say,
(during the coldest days and whenever),
summer's around the corner..thanks..spiros

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

7 posted 2011-11-25 09:20 PM

For it’s not death of soul I fear,
So much as death of will.

Me too - well done Michael.

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

8 posted 2011-12-03 05:12 PM

quote:
Margherita, But then I will shake off all the sadness and visualize a paradisiac scenery ...

  You don’t know how pleasant those words are in reply to my work.  That so shows the soulfulness you accredit to me.  I thank you for that.

Ruth, ah, I don’t think I will ever stop moving, while, as long as I am moving, literally. Lol  I thank you for your kindness and your helping me where those steps have been quite tough.

Ida, I’m glad you enjoyed.

Nan, alone amongst others, indeed.  That it the paradox of shared loneliness.  I’m glad to not be alone in understanding that.

You are much appreciated too, Ms. E.  Thank you.

Spiros Zafiris, thank you… peeking around that corner, even as we speak.

Mysteria, good to see you.  I’m glad you still relate to me.

Michael

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