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Open Poetry #46
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Dig or let lie?
| Open Poetry #46 |
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Dig or let lie? |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa 
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From beneath the surface of burial grounds can be heard the sounds of restlessness and it’s like the sand moves underfoot and topples the stance of permanence. I buried the past deep down underground and thought it would lie forever as dead so I kept a fair distance from the rumble like one in protection of sanity. Now far from that initial event and totally firm in stubborn denial I listen unnerved and wait perturbed for an eruption that’s bound to occur. It’s a question of time; how long can one vow to remain untouched by past happenings before the eyes rising and deafening ears with the cries of needful acknowledgement? But soon, too soon, the “now” creeps up and the past sinks back into the sand not dead but silent and mournfully still like one on the sidelines of happiness. And I, the one with shovel and spade, ponder the merits of unearthing the past when the past with a will of its own so adept at moving unaided. But only a movement and nothing to fear when the “now” more forceful and overpowering yet the tremble is felt and footsteps falter with re-avowals of stubborn denial. Dig or let lie? |
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| © Copyright 2010 Helen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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easy1 Senior Member
since 2010-05-22
Posts 1209Southeastern USA |
What a question! Echoes of war, war story writing, and PTS there. The imagined(?) faint tremors in cemeteries I have attributed to negligent gravediggers, though. Quite a solid and observant write once again. |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Thanks so much easy1. The burial grounds of mind hold the all and more and could indeed be considered as war because that "all" attacks when least expected and sometime I tremble. Sometimes I smile though - just have difficulty these days with that. Helen |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
A superb write, Helen I think it's my new favorite of yours. So much food for thought. Ida |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Thank you, Ida. I guess we're in trouble whether we dig or we don't because of that past having "a will of its own". Still, we could bury it in concrete if the mind was skilled enough but that perhaps requires more "muscle" than some are blessed with. Sigh! I do need to exercise more.  Helen |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
I think of our memory as a monster with a will of its own. It dredges up unpleasant memories that are better left alone. I guess it takes a strong will to overcome this affliction. |
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Amaryllis Senior Member
since 2010-05-20
Posts 1306Mi now |
This was a fascinating read, Honeybunch.. as one can feel the metaphorical earth shift and move alarmingly under the soles.. wonderfully written, and I tend to agree with the `let lie` stance (in fact I myself run scared in the other direction! hah).. especially because, as you wisely stated in your poem.. `when the past with a will of it`s own so adept at moving unaided` You write so very well! ~Amaryllis |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Your process of thought is always fascinating, dear Helen. I would say we need to dig and unearth those events that we have left unsolved, not accepted, not forgiven (if there are things to forgive - yourself and others - ...). They will always surface if we just "hide" them. Once you pronounce the word "peace and definitive acceptance" with regard to certain things, you will find you can move ahead unburdened and free. Great work. Love, Margherita  |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Thanks Earl, Amaryllis and Margherita. I think forgiveness takes the edge of memory but it will always resurface with a word, a phrase, scene or even a smell all on its own when it wants to lest we forget. Then again there are some memories that cannot be recaptured no matter how much we try and most times probably due to deep trauma that we aren't meant to remember for fear of losing the ... joy of life. I have a feeling that to remember "things" good or bad validates them somehow and therefore in turn validates our very existence. Something like that at any rate. Helen |
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