"Footsteps Softly Echo..."

Who we are...

“Footsteps Softly Echo…”

 

Footsteps softly echo

at every pause I take…

cause I wander - day and night

and in the silence wake

eyes and souls oft’ lost within

“moments” they’ve only known

and let an other come to know

they really aren’t alone.

 

I’ve walked so many cobblestone paths,

sat seawalls watching sand -

as waves walked in

and firepits gleamed -

and just shadows held my hands.

 

Then gone and walked so far again

up gangways, ramps and stairs -

and down to tread ‘long old, worn trails,

through graveled hells …uncared.

 

I’ve wondered cliffs and glacial ice,

stared from battlement walls.

Shared coffee IN Nor’easter’s thrall,

and ocean’s tease…

and walked ceilings without pause.

 

I’ve wandered nights’ mares

daymares too

- some might just survive…

listened and dreamed

and gently wished

as tears just leaked anew.

 

I know the streets

up close and real

the cold and heat

…and damp.

I know the dark

near just as well…

the sounds of pain

and loss and fear.

And fingertips reaching …reaching

reaching so hard and far…

and falling back.

 

I’ve shared their “night”

and listened close

those “lost” voices fill my soul.

Shared the softest smiles

I’d ever known…

and gentle touch…

and had to let them go.

 

But I heard them -

I listened…

I DID…

Each and every one.

 

This world is tied together.

Every breath is shared.

Eyes see who they want to see…

and miss the rest.

 

I wandered ‘long the roadways

to sibilant concrete whispers

as tires rolled on-and-on-and-on

‘til living minds’ oblivions were all that called.

 

I’ve sat among so many, many voices

Café’s worldwide… quite for real too

and been ignored to non-existence

for being me… and yet somehow

taken untold minutes - shared stars and hopes,

even last “moments” …quite a few held tight - and dear.

 

That’s what we Poets do.

 

Chris,

Ancient11733

Author's Note

feel free

Reviews

[Diane]

Wow. This was an amazing read. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris]

am glad you paused...come by anytime.

[Wicahpi]

I got this "me, too" feeling, especially the last stanza.
I'm enjoying the reads. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[Chris]

Strange how a time capsule remains relevant isn't it? We live and deal as only we can ...as we can.

[Wicahpi]

Amen! (that wasn't the required 10 characters, but none-the-less meaningful). Amen!

[Chris]

Who knows what 10 words lurk behind our eyes intermingled within our thoughts... chuckling here

[Wicahpi]

LoL me too, now

[barleygirl]

I also have no words! This is stunning. I'm not a deep thinker & I have to urge myself to delve into the deeper stuff that's posted here at the cafe. This is deep, but so accessible, I felt you were serving it up to me, instead of me having to dig to find the kernals, something that made me love the experience of reading this. Your ideas & observations are so startling & fresh, yet hauntingly similar to what we've all been thru. Top notch writing! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris]

You bring smiles to go WITH the hugs... Good having you come by.

[sharonlee]

Pausing in silence....
... I have no words xx

[Chris]

Sigh, you've always words, and I miss them sometimes.

[Carola]

wonderful lines, i feel as though i'm reading your biography!
i can actually understand your free verse, when most others i do not.
your poem even had a nice rhythm going in most parts.
a great read for me, thank you
cheerio carola

[Chris]

It was really appreciated having you pause here... with me. Take care. Chris

[emmajoy]

' I’ve shared their “night” -and listened close - those “lost” voices fill my soul. - Shared the softest smiles - I’d ever known… - and gentle touch…- and had to let them go but i heard them - r But I heard them - I listened… I DID… - Each and every one.'

How very true that is, dear sir. You've always shared, always given, never expecting garlands or crowns.. and that is why so many people know recognise the who and what of you. Thank you, as ever always.

[Muse]

My favorite part "and just shadows held my hands." Your perspective is always so soft and gentle. I like to imagine your hands are calloused from all your heart felt writings. Chris, if only I could reach out to touch those hands... I'd count all the beautiful wrinkles (lines that are treasured time stamps) of wisdom. How could one not fall in love with your imagination? I just know you loved by so many and you don't even know it. Simply because you are too humble to admit it. xo

[Corset]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>was here, listening too, it is what poets do, because behind every voice or written word is a soul mostly lonely and you are a wonderful poet, alone.

[Chris]

You're biased - but in the nicest way

[Corset]

I am lol, busted,,,

[Phill Oz O'fee]

To encapsulate our life's ether we wander through is the path chosen by the poetically minded.. and thus another gem from you... I really enjoyed the read and message of your write ..../ nice one my friend! :-)

[Chris]

I appreciate your pause and thoughts ...always.

[Ruth]

The reality of reality spares none and yet bless us all in so many ways too...thoughts aired with a wise soul that has travelled far and wide, both within self and the outside world that continues to wax and wane...your readers travel with you through your shared thoughts and words...

[Chris]

You keep safe.