The Balance Beam

picture by pinterest

The Balance Beam

this night the Cheshire Cat moon is grinning 

low in my East horizon             the witching hour

beam spends its night waiting

never sleeping             silent it

keeps worn and time oiled skin 

warmed and waiting

like a Budhist Monk in meditation

how easy it use to be     lithe body     bold will

climbing aboard

i am old .... how am I expected

to mount once more the 4 inches 

like a cliche'

i use to stand stork like all day

without a tremor            

walking was a fresh breeze of spring

leaping splits, saltos and hand springs

all the apparatus working and silky

but this morning finds me       creaking

              cracking 

once more the limits of a falling body

....... i climb on board    do my job though

 

inside 

          

all the wobbling incapability 

has a mask and stink of fear

but

all goes quiet .. 

the glass pond ... 

the loon's cry

the lotus 

like the Monk

I would think I were dead 

if not for my own 

Cheshire

Cat 

grin.

10/16/2020

E. 

 

Author's Note

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Wow an amazing way to tell of the changes as physical deterioration creeps into once well oiled bones. This has such a visual impact as you take the beam as your focus and your flow and word choice gives this an inevitable determined sadness. Bravo from one working out to try to stave off the knackers yard!

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha yes .."stave of the knackers yard" for sure .. ahahahha i am larfing loud over that right now .. i am keeping it in me nog .. and throwing out my .. "keeping the wolves at bay" :))))))))))))))) knacker yard indeed ... thanks so much for reading and taking time to review .. always a blessing my friend
E.

[Thomas W Case]

Beautiful imagery. Powerful work.

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks so much for your words and your time Thomas!.. also for bringing me back to this one .. joy and peace and health to ya!
E.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I've never watched Alice in Wonderland, it looked a bit spooky. One day I shall. So I didn't know what you meant about the Cheshire cat. I looked it up and now I do. I like the emotion you write up and the details of balance, like vertigo in a way that comes with age. I also liked that "stinks of fear" for that would always be a powerful smell. This is such a well written poem. Tyfs

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Cyprian! grateful for the time you took to read and review .. and especially for pointing out the things that stood out more ... that is so helpful says i! we age and the gyroscope starts wobbling no doubt about it ;} the trick is to practice a bit more and keep getting up there. luv and peace on ya brother! thanks again for choosing to read this one!
E.

[Rita L. Sev]

Though the older body may be unsteady, the mind brims with wisdom. That’s all the balance we may achieve in the end... Enjoyed this one, E.

[Einstein Noodle]

hopefully the mind remains :)))))))))))))))))))) so tickled you are prancing about the streets .. right here at the Cafe' ... thank you for searching around my own digs and reading this one .. its actually one endeared to me .. i try to practice balancing on one foot and putting me socks on .. and work crossword puzzles ... we gotta work to slow down the wolves as much as possible right?! ... God bless you and yours .. including students!

[Seriana]

Dang! Where to start, first off the obvious failing of our bodies. Yup, it happens and you accept it with grace, or not. Pointing it out delicately as though your routine will fail and you'll fall off if the balance declines anymore. But then there's the sensual hints "in between the lines" that have my mind running off the page.

"all goes quiet ..
the glass pond ...
the loon's cry
the lotus
like the Monk"

That took the award home for me :)
Exquisitely crafted my friend. Love it!

[Einstein Noodle]

you are so kind and hit my personal favorite part of this one ... with getting back up a close second ;) luv on ya .. i am happy with content and smiles receiving your review .. thanks always :)
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

I understand the poetry my friend. I walk now, don't run no-more. I am more monk than dancer. Hello from Michigan and thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

helloooooooooooooo back at ya John! from the Ozarks of Arkansas ;) i am sure you can relate to this one .. we airnt the crowd we use to be .. but hey ... the paths of monks can be just as dangerous and exciting says i! ;))))))))))) peace Coyote Man ... please keep safe and well
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

The Monk had quiet and peace back to you my friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ........................

[lightsong]

The ending added a sombre humorous taste, and I believe humor is a great way to deal with all of this "aging" thing :) maybe You can find comfort with those who share the same feelings with You, still never old dear E never old :)

"all goes quiet ..
the glass pond ...
the loon's cry
the lotus
like the Monk"

I Love these lines, I believe they can be placed into another poem, maybe a happier one :) love ya💕

[Einstein Noodle]

yeah ..it is a somber tone thrugh most of it .. but truth non-the-less .. to one degree or another .. personally i am fortunate and have kept pretty healthy habits that at 72 allow me to reap many benefits .. ones physical body and health will degrade there can be no denying it ;) but it is the spirit and will .. getting back up every time we wake to another moment .. another day to make the most of it .. keeping working to tone and maintain strength ..i am glad you point out the humor and positive closing .. i wasn't sure how to wrap it up .. i am a retired RN and i worked a night shift with a aged man .. he was a small and trim of body person .. in his 80s i believe ... he wasn't sick but we had him on our floor to monitor his heart while in the hospital .. he may have been in for a procedure . i don't remember .. but on my nightly rounds i found him sitting up in bed with such a grin on his face .. like he had fought the Devil himself and won .. i will never forget that picture of him in my mind ... i didn't work for several days after that and when i did come back i was told that he had passed that next night ... he didnt't need to be "declared" by a Dr. because he was a No Code patient and the monitor had all that was needed ... he was prepared for family to arrive about 2 hrs later ... and according to the Charge Nurse that day .. while they were in there .. he woke up .. sat up .. and began to have the best ol' time with his family for two more days .. when he "passed" again ... for good that time ;) love ya!
E.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh........ i forgot to mention ... the Cheshire cat grin came from that memory ;)

[lightsong]

What a touching story! I do believe his soul was ready to go after he said a proper goodbye to his family and loved ones, and WOW You worked as a RN! AMAZING totally AMAZING 💕

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ............................

[T.S. Ulmus]

Maybe I'm overly libidinous, but if you replace the word beam in the third line for a female's name this poem reads entirely differently. Probably why I laughed at the line about 4 inches. I got your meeting though, plenty of creeks and cracks myself.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes .. well ... most assuredly changes meaning completely ... you must have been horny :)))))))))))))))) thanks for reading sir .. and sharing your thoughts ... how else can we grow right?!
E.

[Paul]

Nifty. It never occurred to me to write about a balancing beam. There are so many things in life like this! Kudos for being considerate enough to think about those who have activity that is starting to wind down. Old age is a pain, and I'm only 49!

[Einstein Noodle]

your just a babe PB! ;) i write about it because i go through it .. like most of us do eh!? Thank you for taking time to read and share your impressions ... see you around .. right here at the Cafe' :)
E.

[Robert Trakofler]

oh the creaks I have these days:) I fear I may be paying for my overactive youth today. when i finally turn in this chassis it will not have a very good trade in value! Clever analogy Mr. Einstein but me thinks you still have a pretty good balance even if those feet of yours don't always agree on gravity

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha well yes ... balance is a key isn't it?! i have whats called Meniere's Syndrome which includes migrains, ringing ears, nausea and vertigo .. so a focus on balance has become second nature over the years .. as things spin here and there .. i am fortunate tho because my symptoms have been mild and with a slow progression .. but damned it i won't get up on that beam .. every day eh!? ;))))))))))))))))) love your visits sir .. and your reviewing .. thanks so much!
E.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Firstly
Old man one of my favourites from Neil young
Loved him since I was about 15
So yeh a lifetime lol
Yes I loved your poem
ESP the Cheshire kit grin at the end

[Einstein Noodle]

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) thank you Julie! glad you liked it .. yeah ..Neil Young .. top notch musician songwriter and human being says i!?
E.