"A Bright Day..."

Thought-full - in its way.

It grew while I wasn't looking - who knew?

“A Bright Day…”

 

Sitting…

Opening blinds…

A bright day.

 

From the door -

sunlight raising waves of heat…

asphalt shimmering like water,

under the absolute lightest, clearest blue -

a now …a forever… view.

 

Time to water the porch plants -

our thirst a visible, breathing, NEED.

Their still-rolled flowers awaiting …calling -

atop drooping, begging leaves - fingertips

…shivering in the heat

mere childrens’ souls awaiting…

shriveling more and more as time softly squeezes

…our existence.

 

Step out - onto the porch.

Boards giving way as they’re meant to be.

Standing still, barely being, swayed

as life’s breath passes - slowly

…slowly… enwrapping with such a long, long sigh… me’s.

 

Pausing - looking out across the rail

then down …down… down into thens -

A timeless pause and it’s now.

I seldom notice the boards -

You know - that I used back then

And made into …this.

Life has its own boards too.

And I noticed them.

Held them.

Believed.

Built…

 

As the boards swell and shrink,

the paint wistfully peels -

in curls, in curves, and strips

up and off ‘til fractures spread.

And the bits -

the bits …float and whisper with the errant breezes

as breaking the bonds

- life-worn

- Time …worn…

existence …worn… by moments

…we become as we are.

 

 

Water stains…

change every view and now -

whethers leak from I’s

…can…

OR just God’s visiting of lifes’ happens…

- Strange how the sun kisses

damp cheeks …dry -

And the rail is a balance

- as life seldom is -

while fingertips softly stroke night-twisted petals.

 

And I -

and I step off

down the stairs…

to wander outward - across the ways.

Walking stick tapping time and place

and balance as my pacing -

following sidewalks, stepping on cracks -

mind-living-numb

…errant ants racing on oblivious scents

following …following… our needs -

needs to follow others’ traces,

others’ wants, wishes, dreams(?), lives-deaths-paths.

 

The sun …a mistress - a vision

sinking into gray-brown-green morass

of over-blown, undergrown saw-toothed needles

crushed by caringless-and-less feet.

Ghostlets swaying in my eyes

on empty-chained swings -

cob-webbed teeter-totters frozen - in time

with seashells and springed-horsies

rust-stained and keeping place.

The squirrels are hammering my ears -

Go…go away - faster …faster - LEAVE

GO AWAY… and I am

I am …going away

And I and they know it.

 

And the light fades

And the blue …deepens

And I stare

And we stare

…into forever.

 

Chris

Author's Note

feel free

EVERY WORD was chosen - no typos.

Reviews

[Crowley]

What a down hill roll. As a whole this piece is amazing, broken into the sum of its parts, there are sections that are pure genius. "Life has its own boards too. And I noticed them"...etc. That is the core of this piece, everything else seems to extends from that in both directions. I loved reading this, it hits all the right spots and since we all resemble this poem at some point, its truth cannot be denied.

[Intothemilkyway]

Iam very amazed at how you wrote this whole poem. It's very descriptive and very well composed. The way i perceive it that is nothing to be taken serious.
Life is all about waking up and going to sleep once dawn hits. But every day is new so you are the one who makes the change.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This has breathtaking detailed descriptions of a life observed in such ordinary and mundane activity. It is full of yearning and retrospective wonder. Quite a stunning read.

[Chris]

Life as we live it has a way of reaching into a person ...ya know?

[Lauriecarol08]

Very nice poem Chris, I like how you weave events throughout this poem and although I do not know the location I feel as though I might have touched upon such a place in my own travels. Great sense of connection in this piece of writing I see. All the best, Loretta

[Chris]

It's only a 1/4 mile or so walk to go out and get the mail ...somedays... ya know?

[mandy]

I enjoyed it very much. u have a very descriptive style. I felt like I was there, seeing it, feeling it, hearing it.

[Chris]

It was nice of you to pause and leave your thoughts...I hope you return again.

[likesgreeneggsandham]

I feel like your poetry portrays such insight beyond what the eye can see.

[Chris]

Middle-of-the-night coffee share WITH you would be thought-full.

[Neville]

I so wish I could find words that come close to how these words made me feel.. a magnificent poem and one I sure wish I had penned myself... I salute you Chris my very fine literary friend...

[Chris]

Sometimes a person CAN describe philosophy and sometimes it needs our awareness.

[Neville]

and sometimes, universal laws just get in the way...

[LazerRays]

I love those porches! My grandparents porch is like something I couldn't ever imagine being without. The creaking of the boards as you pace across it enjoying the outside. I love how you compared that to life. This really had me at that part; because I loved my grandparents porch. Bird watching, sunsets, dinner, stargazing, relaxing, chatting, all warm memories. This brought warm memories to me :)

[Chris]

Good mornin' Sarah, thanks for stopping by.

[LazerRays]

no problem :P

[Einstein Noodle]

damn! what a tale ...sucks breath out of me ..easy to respond to your invitation i see in the first line ... i think asking "...who knew" ...is what does it ... so i am joined with this man on his journey ...and (iam telling you the truth) in this line, as soon as i read "board" i heard them creak ..and knew they were weather worn ... "Boards giving way as they’re meant to be." and this line: "the bits …float and whisper with the errant breezes" is so packed with the engagement we have with our past ... our pains ... and the turn i see in that verse is so smooth ... great job Chris! then the "...gray-brown green morass" hits and i am sunk to what i hope is the bottom ... he's off the porch, and gains momentum ..he's leaving ...so i choose to think there is hope for him in the future ...so glad i didn't miss this poem of yours sir ...its a keeper for sure
E.

[Chris]

Good morning E. Coffee is good today - backs off the chill.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes it is :)............. and does

[Stephanie Drew]

An empty swing, swinging in the breeze, reminds me of my childhood. I tried to be an observer only and not get bullied.
Great post, Chris! Don't step on any "loose boards". Be blessed!

[Chris]

This spoke of adulthoods as well as childhoods... existences and perceptions. Ya know - sometimes it's the "loose" boards are all that remain.

[Stephanie Drew]

I got that too. Its just harder to put a name to adulthood, or at least mine! lol How about the loose board coming up and smacking me in the back of the head? =D

[Chris]

Life happens... it is the one surety we have.

[θεά]

Feels so deeply personal and yet so universal and esoteric in an uncanny way. This is a very illuming and deeply self-reflective write, Chris. Stay blessed!