On that day, the phone first rang at nine a.m.,
then rang again fifteen minutes later.
His daughter gave his wife the news.
The shock … then silence …
followed by mixed emotions.
She was oh so very young.
The mirror in the room keeps displaying his visage;
the lines, the hair thinning at the top.
Today he will wear his new jeans,
and his Cat Stevens t-shirt,
and put some styling jell in his hair.
On the mantle, the faded photo,
conceiving memories of a party long ago.
Everyone younger, most living,
many smiling, laughing, appearing joyous.
Every morning, pain in his shoulder.
Throughout the night, numbness in most of the fingers of his right hand.
Heat or ice for his Achilles' tendon?
(The doctor had called it tendinitis)
In the afternoon, some bread baking,
or perhaps a pizza:
a newly found hobby suggested by the pandemic.
On his desk, an almost finished poem,
about an abusive father and husband,
and a fire in a home on Colonial Street,
in the city of Montreal.
Beside it, another poem … just started.
Beautiful and magical butterflies,
and thoughts of revenge,
and murder.
And from his window … a garden.
Among the vegetation, a vibrant green pepper plant,
alive and flourishing.
Next to it, another plant,
cabbages visible,
but most of its leaves eaten by the caterpillars.
An autobiographical, free verse poem, called, “I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired”, which revolves around a hunting trip with my father, a long time ago.(Well… it’s not totally autobiographical.)
I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired
I didn’t even know what type of bird it was – when I had to shoot to kill.
I left the comfort of my bed
on an early Saturday Fall morning
to enter the unknown – a nearby forest
so that I could hunt with my father.
The canopy of trees further reduced the light from the overcast sky.
It was chilly, with a scent of damp moss present in the air
the ground wet from the morning mist.
I remember mostly silence
except for my breathing
and the sounds of my footsteps
and those of my father – crushing twigs, branches, dead leaves, plant life, and living insects
clearing the road for my rite of passage
my childhood disappearing with every footstep.
The bird was spotted by my father
a distance away
on a branch
of a colorful, majestic tree.
He handed me his gun
and gave me a quick refresher on how to hold, how to shoot, and what to expect.
The gun was heavy, my arms started to ache
my hands were cold, and trembling.
And then – he told me that I was ready.
And so I aimed
pulled the trigger
and fired.
The bird remained motionless
but very much alive.
I fired once more.
Again
the bird, still there
unaffected
and at that moment I asked myself, if I would have to shoot again.
My father reloaded the rifle
and as I reluctantly took it from his hands, he looked into my eyes
and I wondered if he knew.
I fired again.
Again – I missed.
Then a fourth, and final time.
I returned the riffle to my father.
Nothing was said.
Nothing else was done.
I asked myself if one day I would be a hunter.
Before leaving the area
so that my father’s hunt could once again continue
I looked – for the last time – at the branch of the tree that once supported the bird.
It was gone – and I smiled.
(This poem was selected 10th for a Poetry Soup contest in May of 2021.)
An autobiographical, free verse poem, called, “I Aimed, Pulled the Trigger, and Fired”, which revolves around a hunting trip with my father.
The poem, entitled “My Mind’s Confusing Game”, was written during a time when I was in a moody state of mind. On that particular day, my wife and I were quite involved in painting the walls of a room at our house, and to be honest I was not in a painting mood. Lol.
While taking a short break, which I welcomed, I decided to listen to Leonard Cohen’s poem, “My Lady Can Sleep”, which inspired me, for I quickly grabbed my iPhone, and on a Word document, wrote the following poem. What is it all about? I will let you decide.
My Mind’s Confusing Game
I sit here before you
One might say in boredom, but I think that it’s defeat
I wonder if I will be taken
To find answers for survival, or to a peaceful sleep.
Should I question my actions?
Ask where I’m going from this point on?
Or should I just remain defeated
As one who’s never won?
I want to hold you in the morning
Without guilt and with no shame
I want to lie there beside you
So as to break the patterns of this game.
Will you change my inner being?
Touch me with your soul?
Hold your body close to me
And erase from existence a side of myself that I behold?
Tell me if my questions, my wants, and all my hopes
Give solace to the existence, that this my body holds.
Tell me if I’m foolish, looking for that which might never be attained
As I sit here feeling broken, in my state of consciousness and pain.
In my mind I search for freedom
from the shackles that I wear.
And it is often through your existence
That I find the love and care.
I want to hold you in the morning
Without guilt and with no shame.
I want to lie there beside you
So as to break through the cobwebs of my mind’s confusing game.
About this poem: This poem, in a somewhat random way, deals with the world, you, me, my soul (maybe your soul), and the mind; in other words with the randomness of existence. It just about covers everything…lol. Enjoy and interpret as you see fit.
The World – You – Me – My Soul – and the Mind
Do you sometimes wonder
how to introduce what is out there to your soul and mind?
how to understand that which exists, in that period of time?
and in that present moment is real, and do you feel guilty if you leave it all behind?
Have you heard that your ego will prevent you
from being who you were meant to be?
And you get absorbed in society’s creations
but you find yourself confused, and unable to see.
And you might search the news
looking for those reads that will reaffirm what’s on your mind.
And you “stumble upon” absurd conspiracy theories
which you “miraculously” find.
Can you somehow see a reflection of who you are?
Or is the mirror broken, left far behind?
Can you ask yourself, honestly, sincerely, what the solution is for human kind?
Or do you get lost within the scope of your very own personal mind?
And as you sit there
do you blame others while looking for a system that creates the hurt?
Deep down you know the answer
it’s selfishness, hatred, power, and greed, which continue to subvert.
What is real and what is fake?
I often wonder what is true.
Yes I listen and I analyze
I use up a portion of my time to see it from a particular point of view.
For now I want to spend my time
searching within my soul for something that I’m unable in this world to find
which baffles me some of the time
because occasionally it’s born and exists deep within my very own mind.
I’m just a being, living and trying to be that which I foresee
searching for the spiritual in that which is before me
at times attempting to find meaning in mortality
with a burning desire to understand and see.
It is contentment which I pursue
Even look inside the cracks
But at times like these contentment hides
And the road ahead confuses me, so I retrace, as I retract.
Maybe I got it all wrong
Maybe some of it is right
Maybe my vision is blurry and foggy
Maybe at times I have trouble seeing the light.
I can take what is happening out there
interpret using knowledge, a view, and perhaps a belief
but often the truth is just not there, and the news really stinks as it permeates
and the nature of the many, rarely offer one relief.
And I’m left with the choice to accept, dissolve, or set it all aside
This is a “humanity plan poem” that is about a needed change in man’s (and I am putting the responsibility and blame here on the male gender, more so than the female) aggressive mindset identity that exists in today’s world. This identity/mindset has historically resulted in many of the negative outcomes and ill affects often perpetrated on people and other forms of life on this planet. Man today, and historically, has often been a plague to himself and to others by believing in what I call a “macho” identity. This identity/mindset has roots in prehistoric times, which man continues to identify with in today’s world. The violence, the discriminatory thinking and actions, and the aggressive behavior that is exhibited in today’s world is a direct result of man’s mind. In order to see real change, man needs to better understand what is required for blissful existence, which is that man’s consciousness needs to change. This I believe is where the root of the problem lies, and if we do not go to the root of this problem, then we will continue on a road that will be more chaotic than it has been, using a band aid approach to stopping the bleeding.
A Humanity Plan Poem
In the beginning….a long time ago…man discovered aggression.
He lived and survived
then with passing of time
existence was no longer dependent on a combative mind.
But he continued to see power in his macho ways.
Aggression perverted….resulting in malaise.
Barbaric lessons learned
Bullies created….and superiority desires yearned.
And hatred pervaded….and took deep root.
And before its appearance
in the alleys and streets
sprouted in the mind….grew in the heart….and now it repeats.
Violence does not come in only one form.
Real peace and tranquility will never ensue….until they become the norm.
For an onslaught has emerged once more….and if we ignore
Circumstances will ignite….a deplorable war.
And if malevolence continues to rise and advance
Care….love….compassion….does not stand a chance.
So who is to blame?…. Is it you…or is it the other?
This hostility against….sister and brother.
Change is possible in the hearts of men
but perceived strength needs to be reformed….and the questions are how and when?
Leadership….support….protection….should be the true qualities of man.
Now is the time to give birth….to a caring humanity plan.
In the beginning….a long time ago….man discovered aggression
lived and survived.
And now during this moment in time
blissful existence impossible….without a peaceful noncombative mind.
POEMS OF THE MIND: These poems deal with anxiety, depression, and addictions – they are poems of the mind. In our society, mental health ailments are very prevalent. In order to better deal with this pandemic, two things are needed: one is awareness and involvement, and the other is funding to support mental health initiatives, research, and programs.
The Anxiety Nightmare
In the deep dwelling complexities of darkness, without light
I fall
then enter the journey of despair.
Disconsolate and forlorn
I encounter those places where fear dwells.
I ask….I beg….I plead….
to be free of the nightmare that is
and to find peace
by encountering the tangible
where intellect recognizes reason.
Further attempting to end this horrendous and crippling journey
I beseech mindfulness to enter my course
and take me into the bountiful realm of tranquility.
But the nightmare….continues….
a stranglehold on my being
as it reaches its destination
leaving me in a state
where my soul has no solace
and is empty of the serenity of spirit.
The Anxiety Nightmare
Anxiety/….Once Again….You Appear
What insidious appearance have you once again made, when I thought I had sent you to the bottom of Hades’ world?
But I see you’ve resurfaced, this time as a ghost occupying the mind’s house, as you attempt to haunt me and make me feel the horror through those thoughts of illusionary reality.
You have reacquainted me with your world, making my world one of desperation, leaving me searching for my sanity to find.
I scream at your presence, and attempt to shake the foundation of your non-existent soul, but you overcome my wishes, and leave me in a state of utter despair, as I look to sever the thought bonds that you’ve created.
You are the devil in my world, the insanity of my existence, as you force me to my knees.
And while I plead and hope to conquer and overcome, it is clear that your goal is my misery, as you insert a dagger deep within my soul.
So be it….present to me what you will….attempt to trick me and hold me in your grasp….manipulate my mind and thoughts….make me feel the fear….
But again, this time, it will only be short lived….for I will once again….calmly….but surely….send you away from my mind’s eye, and have you disappear into the depths of your created hell.
Anxiety Once Again You Appear
Addictions in This Realm of What Is
Feeling alone….overwhelmed….and conquered….I try to remain in a dispositional state of mind by contemplating ways of making what appears to be impossible, possible….in this realm of what is.
Struggling with the mind, and attempting to substitute the patterns of enticing and gripping destruction with approaches to overcome, I endeavor to convince the brain to alter habits that defy logic, by making the intangibles, tangible….in this realm of what is.
A crack, and then a light escaping from consciousness, and a glimpse of presence of mind altering joy and blissful reality, but once again elusive, dissonant, and inconsistent….in this realm of what is.
And now I sit feeling ill-fated and defeated, but forever seeking and pleading to overcome this addictive entrapment, in order to find peace….in this realm of what is.
One moment a feeling that you have conquered….the next….falling into a state of despair with a belief that overcoming will never be possible….in this realm of what is.
Like I mentioned in my post’s introduction: awareness, involvement, and funding is desperately needed in order for advancements to take place in the area of mental health. Please consider either getting involved and/or donating to one of the following mental health organizations:
“I Am” is a two part personal perspective poem questioning, “Who am I?”. Of course the phrase “I Am” has links and ties to the spiritual and religious world, but this poem deals with two contrasts: one being rather dark and perhaps sinister, while the other is brighter and optimistic, with perhaps elements of realization and enlightenment. I hope that something in this poem triggers an awareness or realization within you.
I Am(Dark)
I am a soul who sometimes does not know
the sorrow and hatred that I allow to grow.
I am a being who cannot see
the face of prejudice that I have within me.
I am a man who will not know
until I realize the faults within my being which I sow.
I Am (Light)
I am but an eagle in flight
spreading my wings so as to absorb the complexities of life.
I am a soul that questions its plight
Dispositional, at times overwhelmed, but determined to overcome my fright.
I am a flower in a garden, in the morning light
the dew upon my petals still, enveloped in illuminating visions of transcendence and insight.
'On this day it is to the mountains that I go it is there where I search to find that 'something' that will enter my soul and leave me with an understanding that is not of mind."
Nature’s Poetry: Whenever I find myself in nature, whether it’s in a forest, in the mountains, beside a river or lake, or observing the ocean or the sea from the shore, I often experience feelings of awe and wonder. This post has four nature poems (“Through the Breath of Divinity’s Passing”, “Tree of Life”, “Poseidon’s Kingdom”, and “The River”) that were created because I felt something profound, or there surfaced in my being a realization as a result of the mystery that nature is able to provide. Hope you enjoy nature’s poems.
Nature’s Poems (“Through the Breath of Divinity’s Passing” and Three More)
Through the Breath of Divinity’s Passing
Upon the majestic peak I stood
The wind against my face
It is there I felt
The breath of nature’s passing.
Transfixed by presence
I journeyed into the mystery of the unknown
To find in the depths of tranquility
A revelation in my being.
A tree, a stream, a mountain peak
Revealing internal truth
And a calming state of consciousness
Through the breath of Divinity’s passing.
Through the Breath of Divinity’s Passing
(This poem was awarded first place in a poetrysoup.com contest in May of 2021)
Tree of Life
It was in the middle of the night.
It was there where I saw the light
While in despair I believe I saw it reflecting on that tree.
It was all so so new to me.
What did this tree desire to say?
What message did its branches convey?
Was it an illusion in this world of nothingness?
An apparition in a life filled with emptiness?
I questioned whether I should remain serene.
Or shout profanities in this what seemed like an unusual, intimidating dream.
And then I suddenly saw the hope in this tree of life.
And the need for my soul to put aside all that was cutting my being with a knife.
Tree of Life
Poseidon’s Kingdom
In your oceans and deep blue seas
your waters substantiate what first is unseen
and I feel that which you offer within
as you take me into the depths of your palace
where your gems, coral, and things
cure my paralysis caused by the morrow.
And as I feel your sea breeze upon my face
it touches a part of my soul but leaves no trace
and I don’t understand it and I really don’t know
how your mysteries pierce my domain of existence.
In your waters I swim and on your waves I float
for it is there that I come to borrow.
But tell me oh tell me please tell me some more
and continue to show me the inside through your door
so that I can be touched like never before
by the waters that create your mystical kingdom.
Poseidon’s Kingdom
The River
And it was by the river
where I sat and contemplated creation’s plan.
It was by the river
where I asked purpose of existence for woman and man.
It was there I desired to leave city behind
there where I wished to rid awful creations of a confused mind.
And its shore invited me to see the unknown
to find inspiration and a comforting home.
And while I sat by the riverbank
my mind suddenly went completely blank.
And I stopped searching for meaning and a reason to be
for by peering at its running water it all became clear to me.
Media and News Poems: The media is a powerful entity in our world. To a great degree, it has the power to influence our minds, at times creating confusion and/or distorted and bias “news” that runs contrary to what news should be.
In addition to mainstream media, we have social media, which is filled with self serving, often emotional and mindless statements, testimonies, and conclusions, often using recipes of false news, lies, distortions, and inaccuracies.
The following poems have embed within them my interpretations and conclusions of the consequences of mainstream media, social media, and the news, both for society and the individual.
About the following poem: Early morning on my deck, a coffee in hand, soothing music playing, moments of tranquility and bliss, enjoying all which this beautiful day has to offer. And then I pick up my smart phone, for I desire to read the “morning news”…
In My Mind
As I sit here
Absorbing the calming rays of the morning sun
I read, and then realize how chaotic disarray attempts to make love with harmony
In s world of insanity
While it tries to influence my mind
During this moment in time.
I interpret the “informative news”
As a need to amalgamate absurdities
With solutions for serenity
While initially resisting wishes and temptations of conformity
In my mind
During this moment of time.
And then slowly I am swallowed up by these intellectual stupidities
And I lose clarity and sanity
And become a victim of hypocrisy
Falling head first into the world’s quicksand of misery
Which wants to swallow up my mind
During this moment in time.
In My Mind
About the following poem: And quite often… the lies and distortions… create confusion and delusion.
It’s Nothing But Delusion
Today they believed the lies
the distorted truths… the accusations… and wrong-doing cries
the created fabrications which are easy to consume
conceptualizations and distortions… abundant and abloom.
Responsibility once assumed… but now rarely seen
reality now falsified… made convoluted… and obscene.
And the beat goes on….
as the mind is twisted
like that character… on Prodigal Son.
And while these false narratives appear
which the perpetrator wishes that all will embrace
the ego desperately asserts and manipulates
loyalty and trust is what it requires, and necessitates
but the soul is slaughtered… beaten… and no where to be found
and truth is tossed… lost… by perplexing theories which abound
Covid 19 Poems of Confusion, Surrender, Darkness and Light
One might say that these four poems deal with the pandemic: three poems were created during the pandemic, and a forth was written about a year before the start of Covid 19. However, these poems might also be relevant regarding internal and external strife that often tends to be part of life and living.
Close to the beginning of the pandemic, I made a few phone calls one day to see how some family members were doing. During my conversations with them, I heard them express many of the feelings and thoughts that I was having at the time. I took some of what they said, and some of what I thought and felt, and wrote the following poem:
From Confusion to Surrender
I am but feeling quite alone
wishing deep in my heart to come back home.
What does one do when one feels this despair
in these circumstances that surround him, but can’t compare?
I know there is a light embedded in this shell
I know there is hope that surfaces, but at times it’s hard to tell.
But I now feel those things that can diminish the light
for I can’t even see the unknown, as I look up at the stars on this disturbing night.
And in the gloom, in the turmoil that exists
I fight that which they tell me I should not resist.
It is with an intent that does not seem to die
as I keep asking that question, “Why?”
I choose to be, I chose this course
but it is confusion that I feel the most.
For I have this need to see, to hear, to understand
these perplexing circumstances here at hand.
But who am I, and who are you?
just souls intent on seeing this through.
And hoping for a chance to see that day
when all is calm, and that which is, is gone away.
From Confusion to Surrender
Covid 19 often brought out that which is good in humanity, but sadly also that which isn’t. I saw compassion, empathy and love, but at the same time saw selfish characteristics that surfaced which might have pointed to an inability to understand more than an inability to care.
The Dark Side of Humanity
Lost in a desperate mind world
Seeking a sense of community
and a need to belong
through an innate desire to be whole again.
But confused…
The path nebulous.
And through indoctrination
either directly or unintentionally
or perhaps inadvertently
harboring a vision that individuality is the answer
through a desire to see and “find oneself”
but left with only a false mirrored reflection
of who one really is.
And one says, “It is my right!”
hoping that it becomes “their destiny”
but really is only “deluded identity”.
And this desire
gives life to the belief
that one will find and understand oneself
by way of separating from that “other”.
The result…
illness within
then spreading to community
for the connectivity link now broken.
And without humility…
there is little compassion.
And without compassion…
there is a lack of understanding.
And without understanding…
one becomes lost
in ones own separate ways…
severed from the natural world of community…
exhibiting the dark side of humanity.
The Dark Side of Humanity
Life is beautiful, but living often has it challenges. The following poem deals with life’s dark experiences.
Existing In a World of Sorrow
There was confusion
and devastation
followed by a feeling of extreme desperation
as I longed for rejuvenation
so as to go back into the world that I once knew
a world where equanimity
was so true.
But this I was helpless to achieve
just as I was not able to foresee
all that was in store for me
and as I tried to understand
through a persistent desire
to make mind sense of the circumstance
I was devoured
by an emotional fire.
And more confusion
because of all that consumed me
and the feelings that entombed me.
And I eventually started to see my limitations
while hoping for reconciliation
from those feelings I could not control
By way of logic that I knew the mind could hold.
Though benumbed
I desperately attempted to explain the mind’s realizations
to the heart
but logic had been torn away
from my being’s state
for I was now lost in a life of hardship
in a nightmarish dream
and I was left with my heart’s
subliminal scream.
And I asked…
Where can I find tranquility
from this calamity
that is in the here and now?
And then I finally realized
what I had been offered
and what was now proposed.
I had to let it be.
How could I hold on
when it was so painful for me?
So I surrendered
to the morning seed
which had inseminated my world
and I succumbed to an existence
that seemed surreal
but the course needed
so as to heal.
The above poem was written before Covid. Hauntingly, I see within it a prediction of what was to come.
Existing in a World of Sorrow
And the final poem in this series is one of hope…
The Light
I saw the clouds creep in and obscure the light
As the evening appeared, and introduced a stormy night
And I longed for the morning, and a sky without fright.
I looked to the heavens, scared, and ready to morn
searching for that which would calm my internal storm
and eliminate the pestilence that had made its appearance
and was suddenly born.
So I laid down my body to find sleep and rest
from the turmoil and confusion, deep within my chest.
And in the morning I awoke, and the clouds had disappeared.
The storm was gone
and the sun’s shinning light had eliminated my fear.
The Light
Covid 19 Poems of Confusion, Surrender, Darkness and Light
Welcome to my poetry site. In order for the poet to create a successful poem, the poet needs to first be receptive to that which he or she will ultimately create. In other words, there needs to be synchronization between the universe of creativity, and the poet, so as to create the poem.
The Universe of Creativity….the Poet….and the Poem
The poem
plucked out of the universe of creativity
the structure perhaps in place.
The poet’s mind
a receptor
like a television receiving radio waves.
A message emerges and a pattern appears
then to be arranged and carefully designed
like a quilter creating a quilt.
And then guided to play with words and structure
so as to fine tune
like a musician fine tuning a musical instrument.
The poet beckoned
by the universe of creativity
summoned to create the poem.
The Universe of Creativity, the Poet, and the Poem