Such wisdom for the poet in this piece. The words on paper (or screen) are only shadows of the living word when it is spoken. Your poem echoes Emily Dickinson's lines: "A word is dead when it is said, some say - I say it just begins to live that day." This is a wonderful write, both read and spoken, Chris.
I tend to agree with you. I've had comments on a few poems about how people didn't like my extra letters or echos, but that was how they were supposed to be read. haha. To me, poems should always be read out loud.
Nice work.
Again your gentle touch here - There are those who apply great pressure when taking pen to paper or in their brushstrokes on a canvas.
I am torn between the last two lines in that next to last stanza and the last stanza itself.. The wording in these parts is exceptional and carries clear emotion and feeling to your reader.
Love the title! I sound like a broken record, but I see so many afraid to LIVE their lives. Each of us has a different journey, a different past, and our perspectives are so unique. I see those wasting years in situations that drain them, little by little, out of obligation, or this sense of what is right, or expected - while their soul screams for something more. This stanza says so much:
"to weep and laugh
til you feel the sounds
of a frown
of a hope
…know a tear in ANGER,
despair in a smile."
Good writing, my dear friend!
The eyes wander, in and out of fragrant memory, over rocky hills of consternation ... finally.... finally eyes settle on that distant vision, attainable or not, but settle still, with a soft smile and imaged touch.
"Life is a terminal disease." All the doctors have basically told me so.
"Life is an adventure... Pain, well you deal. Thanks for being here. 06/21/2020
I'm back and working on. I've been.. more..