"What Part of Lonely Do You Understand?..."

This is about us all - every me, every you... every moment we ...are and were alone... chosen or not.  We live as we can - seldom as we want. @6

Lonliness is where you find it
...and just about any when -
moments where you know its touch
and others just ...ambushed again. @1

Its being when you have no choice
'cept holding so very tight
to those lil nothings never meant
to be held close every night. @2

It's the laughter that always hurts
because I wasn't good enough
to be anything more than me
...and me's are never good or enough. @3

Not everyone has the other
that gently holds you close
and fills your life with memories
and every night with ghosts... @4

When I taste the rain

I separate out my tears...

for the dreams that never were,

for each long and empty year;

then goes the ones for silly hopes -

all just butterflies held inside,

then last - the wishes I grasped so tight

as my stars so slowly died. @5

Sometimes its in the eyes
as they look out above the smile...
so many shadows of sighs flit by
as a soft wistful "hello" glistens.  @7

 

"What Part of Lonely Do You Understand?..."

Sunday morning -

the taste of coffee

chilly morning

sitting at the window

lost in the mists...

 

Monday eve -

echoes of footsteps

the sounds of silence

making dinner

leftovers...

Tuesday -

leaving the lights off

sitting there on the curb

watching the cars pass

empty fingers closing...

 

Wednesday afternoon -

raindrops through the leaves

unsplashed puddles

distant laughter

walking - just walking...

Thursday ~

gray winter sky

store windows

food court

...change from a Five.

 

Friday night -

music

line dancing

midnight
...watching the minute hand.

Saturday...
TV for the noise

telemarketers

Jehova's Witnesses...
the sound of keytops being pressed.

 

Breathing...

closing your eyes
dreaming

...waking up

tomorrow

 

...yesterdays.

 

Chris

 

 

Author's Note

After the title, the original poem, each line ...each one - is standalone

Chris

Reviews

[Southern Cross]

Loneliness is like a cloud that can engulf you till it blows itself away..You have that special way of making words come alive on a page Chris and I always get encased in your thoughts..Great form as well something a bit different

[KAOlmsted]

Tears of anger suddenly morphed into tears of sorrow for this lovely, lonely, hauntingly beautiful write...I'm an emotional mess today. Thank you so much for writing and posting this intensely personal portrait of solitude, as you say, chosen or not. Amazing.

[KarinaT]

Oh this is wonderful in a terrible way

When I taste the rain

I separate out my tears...

for the dreams that never were,

for each long and empty year;

Beautiful words to describe a soul eroding problem that we do not take seriously enough. In an overcrowded world we stay so separate and insular.

This is an overwhelming but quiet tragedy that need not happen.

I've never seen it better described.

Amazing

[Chris]

I'm glad you paused... hope to see you again.

[KarinaT]

you will - I like reading your work

[Chris]

Sometimes its in the eyes
as they look out above the smile...
so many shadows of sighs flit by
as a soft wistful "hello" glistens.

[olla]

there are many different shades of lonely.. and if one lives long enough they will no doubt feel most of them.. even when there is the other just across the room..

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Waking up at 3:00 am
Thoughts for company
How many more tomorrows

Monday thru Friday 10:45 am
Lying on the metal table
Machines buzzing

Yep...I understand lonely much too well.

[Chris]

You'se so earned what little peace comes as you watch the walls slowly fade to dark... I am NOT adding to your tears... just wishing very softly that you remember all the smiles given and shared and know you've been the difference to so many here.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Thank you, Chris, you have given me many smiles.

[sharonlee]

I lingered... feeling each line and syntax ... each wave.

[Chris]

This one will grow with each "pause".

[Mary]

insightful glimpse into the world of lonely, one most of us have traveled at one time or another or who are long term residents. Excellent write!

[Chris]

It's the laughter that always hurts
because I wasn't good enough
to be anything more than me
...and me's are never good or enough.

[J. J. Nightingale]

Lonely seems to have many faces ..

[sharonlee]

Each day nudges the others.... pages of life....

... realizing
6 days have passed
6 long days
and no adult voice
greeted your smile...
... finding friends
in unusual places...
where voices don't echo
and touch
is ony imagined....

There is no part
of lonly
that has not touched me....
xx

[Chris]

Its being when you have no choice
'cept holding so very tight
to those lil nothings never meant
to be held close every night.

[sharonlee]

holding
dreams closer
than a reality
that drifts along with out me...

[Claire Twinn]

It sure sounds like a lonely week, each day adding to the sense of solitude (although the line dancing is a bit of a diversion, but even then there can be loneliness in crowds).

[Chris]

Lonliness is where you find it
...and just about any when -
moments where you know its touch
and others just ...ambushed again.

[J. J. Nightingale]

Yes .. what about the line dancing line ? .. alone ?

[Chris]

all line dancers dance alone... that's what makes it line dancing - ya know?

[Chris]

You took away a stanza jazz... but I understand... so I'll just put it here

Not everyone has the other
that gently holds you close
and fills your life with memories
and every night with ghosts...

[J. J. Nightingale]

I understand now ... Yes so true .. J.