The owl
left gouges to your scalp
without a mouth
you spoke
do not go my way child
learn from error the better path
where? where granny?
behind you
where? where granny?
in front of you
where? where granny?
beside you
where? where granny?
she stood in formation an army of past
familiar eyes different words
don’t go my way, forge your own
inherit nothing of madness left to roam
your genes like spirits grown too wild
avoid the drink it gives you ghosts
spare the rod, saturate desire
lust for obliteration and self immolation
my reality makes shoes disappear under beds
the ache of springs unused to their test
it is our code to set fire to the best of ourselves
stay your hand as it passes
the naked flame
see into my cinders
another method for staying sane
when you itch … when you wish
to fling yourself into oblivion
think of me
cold and dead
this is not your future yet
you have pockets heavy with planting
get to it, press deeper the iron into soil
until you pull out the old roots taking space
make room for new
it is the labor of the faithful
tiring and requiring patience
do not forget to reach in deep
for just when you think you’ve got the last
one shall remain
unseen
This is gorgeous!
It’s a shame I am not one for Tattoos. I admire them on others but I’ve never had any of my own.
I would get this:
lust for obliteration and self immolation
because that is by far one of the most beautiful lines I have ever seen. <3 🙂
I wish I could want to burn it all away …but that desire to want to is not there in me…there is an intense perverse sweetness to wanting to run my mind around my past from the melancholy, to the passions once known, to the hate that was owned and wallowed in to the triumphs and failures of all my days.. Taking ALL that in and bringing forth something out of me seeming better even in spite of it… to convey this NEW outlook, view, angle, or epiphany to it all within myself and to others who are surely in the same place as I…
(and guess what Miss C you do that dear…every time you write…
Nice words yet again… but I always like showing you that your path is not a straight one and your spirit rides high and full of fire with much to offer another (and yourself)
xo
Agreed. All is circular.
Grandmother’s wisdom. She was right about needing to go your own way, clear out the old and make your own new. She was also right about roots being hard to get rid of.
They are. We come from where we come from, we can deny it but as we age, we also return to it. The old ones knew best. Then and now.
There’s that peace and knowledge in your poem. It’s a good one.
Thank you dearling, you know who inspired it, a magnificent creature who undersells herself regularly, have you met? 😉
I do what I do and try to do it well, but it’s only ever me.
EXACTLY. (that’s why)
Your poem packs a punch on every line.
You express wisdom that we all need to reflect and take advice on.
What our past has done, we can learn from and take control of now. Whatever futures hold for us…that future will decide for us.
You are an influence. Beautiful writing. 🙂
Thanks Charlie I appreciate your words.
🙂 You’re very welcome Candice.
You are an influence to us all poets. 🙂
Thank you for you always being you.
This is beyond perfect
Wow thank you I’m so glad you think so! I like love poetry best of all but sometimes the flotsum of life gets in the way!
I know what you mean, I completely understand
I love this one so much Candice. I hope to impart these words to my children and that they take them to heart. Enchanting and ethereally beautiful as always my friend
Some lessons must be carried on through generations. I like that idea. It is one of many reasons why having children is so important and empowering and necessary. Thank you so much D I appreciate that. I love it when you have read a poem I wrote and liked it. Thank you so much for your support it helps me keep going instead of thinking why am I even doing this?
Are you kidding? You are a unique talent and one of the best poets on WP. Its a privilege and an honor to be able to read your work for free. I love you kiddo. You are such an inspiration ❤❤❤
Superb. We are who we are.
Thank you so much! I do believe this.
“It is the labor of the faithful”….. Beautiful as there is so much to meditate on in those few words. Thank you for sharing your gifts and taking us places we couldn’t have gone without you!
♡
I’m having a FFF morning – had you noticed ?!
Indeed! (Chomps on vegemite crumpet)
Yum!
Those poor souls who have NO idea of the joy it beholds! 😉
🙂
This reminds me of how I felt the first time I read you. My mind blown and aching for more of your words (sorry that came out a little more sexual than intended!)
Want to bathe in this:
“spare the rod, saturate desire/
lust for obliteration and self immolation/
my reality makes shoes disappear under beds/
the ache of springs unused to their test”
Dearest Girl, I was thinking of you last night in relation to your post. I can’t imagine you being blown away by me because A you are blown away by many things but more importantly B you write so much better than most people (probably not fair to say this but I’m going to anyway!) how could anyone really blow you away? I’m very grateful though! (even the aching!)
You have been one of my two major writing crushes since I first read you (the other is SK– I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know you both better)
Which is incredible since I think you write better than both of us! No offense to him because yeah he’s the modern Bukoswki of that there is no doubt but I don’t think you realize what you are!
I still think I am a serious lightweight compared to the two of you. I’m learning but I am never as elegant as you or as interesting as SK. You both dazzle in a way that I can’t. I feel like a cave woman with a club
There is a terrific English expression I learned in response to this – BOLLOCKS 😉 (serious lightweight?!!!!!!!! laughs to eternity and back with the absurdity of this)
Then can I join your cave club too?
And you still blow me away– I am a complete fangirl
I just wish you lived nearby, I would be in your damn pocket EVERY DAY (instead of Polly Pocket there is Candy Pocket – see it even sounds right doesn’t it?)
LOL