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Open Poetry #27
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NickTofteland
Member
since 2003-06-13
Posts 74
MN, USA

0 posted 2003-06-17 08:21 PM


After writing this last night, I thought long and hard if this should be shared, only to decide that there is no true value in secret. I wrote this while remembering my Grandfather on the year anniversary of his passing. Enjoy.

“Before the beginning of years,
There came to the making of man…”


In the beginning there is the hole
A window we outgrow to become aware
That there exist dimensions beyond our grasp
To fill the hole with substance we seek
To define our presence in sequences
That attach meaning to our lives

But we cannot convey the passing
Of days into nights and months into years
Despite our attempts to put numbers
On the walls and candles on the cake
We will not understand all that passes
While we live our day-to-days

One morning we awaken and dawn
Is on our breaths we begin to breathe
The freshness of life that encompasses all
There is no time to weep or pray
Our life is young and we will play
For hours without end without thought

Somewhere in the circle we become aware
That we are not the ones we were
Déjà vu reminds us that our thoughts
Occur in patterns we cannot comprehend
Our life spins in mirrored reflections of itself
While we grow stronger and wiser

And as we come to know ourselves
We still do not understand how we
Can pass from seconds into hours as we
Hold each other’s hands and pray
And wish that the moment will not end
To be alone together forever and a day

But then we pass the hour and our
Children take the stage each with smiles
On their faces and freshness in their eyes
Full of hope and promise and a vision of tomorrow
And their dreams become our past
While our promises are broken in their mirror

One day we realize that our chances
Have grown slim with the winter
At our doorstep we stare and face the chill
The sound of laughter has left us cold
And despite our greater wisdom
We cannot understand what has gone

And in the end our lives have no meaning
But the reflections in the mirror
The sound of children’s laughter
Hands held on summer nights
Pictures on the mantle and a fire in the hearth
While the clock beside the window fades from view

Psalms 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

© Copyright 2003 Nick Tofteland - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2003-06-17 08:33 PM



A time "peace" worth recalling, Nick.  This is wonderful, and I am so glad you shared a moment of your slice of life with us, especially that of your grandfather.

Thank you.

Nightshade
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Patricius
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962
just out of reach
2 posted 2003-06-17 08:47 PM


"All my life's a circle" as the song goes. Life goes on. Very nice write. Chris

"Hope" is the thing with feathers-
that perches in the soul....
                  
                       -Emily Dickinson

Goodknight
Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386
Ohio, USA
3 posted 2003-06-18 09:58 AM


powerful memories and a well done poem - thanks Nick - Paul
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
4 posted 2003-06-18 10:03 AM


Nick:

what a lovely tribute . . .
I wanted to quote the entire thing
but this - this is all of it:

One day we realize that our chances
Have grown slim with the winter
At our doorstep we stare and face the chill
The sound of laughter has left us cold
And despite our greater wisdom
We cannot understand what has gone


no - no we cannot
xxoo

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
5 posted 2008-02-22 05:53 PM


A lot of powerful Memories!



ARCTIC WIND

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