Armor

I wander because I'm full of dread

and overflowing with hope.

I can't stop and ponder what it is

what it will do to me.

I wonder why, I touch and find

the sad destruction which 

leads to life and  joy,

colors so bright they hurt.

I feel it when I see the sun

and when I think I'm the only one

to see the screaming without

and hearing within.

It takes the black

and the taste of white

to end, and to begin

life again and again.

It's always the struggle

important or trivial

the inertia and

the unmoving earth.

Inside me is this volcano;

emotions stirred with confusion

making this potion of laughter

and eyes full of tears.

The battles, the victory parties

the mumbled admissions

in scarred defeat

healed and now my armor.

I look forward to the end

as the journey slides home

I remember the beginnings

and still, why? just why.

Reviews

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A highlyconstructed piece that relates to the telling in all of us, well done.

[Mark]

Thank you sir. :)

[Stella Armour]

opposites in each verse Mark,two sides to everything life and death.I don't know why i keep seeing positives and negatives but then nothing is singular...

[Mark]

yes, exactly what the poem is about. What is that about the universe? It seems to be some sort of key... some sort of clue. Thanks for reading. :)

[Sid]

Very thoughtful poem, it's the two sides of a coin that make a whole and somehow i get that from your piece; even at the end of a journey we always remember the beginning and wonder why but somehow can never answer that lingering question...great write!

[Mark]

yes, it was mostly about duality, the binary universe so to speak, everything is paired with its opposite.

[Mockingbird]

the last stanza brings to mind how, even though we are nearing our journey's end, we still can't stop thinking of the past, even if we should let go. even knowing where we came from, sometimes has to be left at that, in the past. great job.

[Mark]

Thank you, the question in my mind at the time was regarding life's duality, why everything seems to be the side of one coin or another, but I'm glad it made you think :)

[sakshi arora]

your poem is inspiring.i like the way you have said many thing in a symbolic way.but i think the poem can be taken a notch higher with a more elaorate ending

[Mark]

Thanks for reading and commenting.

[Kristin Lee]

I love how this one starts. You wander, and you wonder. Such deep insinuations to be filled with dread and hope. But to ask why...Donald is right, it will get you every time. Though in the end I think we usually do ask why, even if we do on some level expect it. Great job.

[Mark]

It's a sentient thing to do. :)

[Donald Meikle]

Why will get you every time. Where When and Who are just memories.

[Leslie Philibert]

Like this too, the way this races along but contains thought and wisdom...

[s y e]

Loved it Mark, this is a really great, honest write. It surfaces many questions that I guess we all have but never really think about at times.

"Inside me is this volcano;
emotions stirred with confusion
making this potion of laughter
and eyes full of tears."

I loved the description in this stanza. In this one stanza it speaks volumes, Mark. The wording is superb.
I guess like Jack, said; ' Our armour is only as strong as we are.' It's true.

This write makes a big impact. Awesome job, my friend.

~ Noodle

[Mark]

Thank you Sye! Glad it got to you.

[s y e]

Always a pleasure, M! ★

[Emerald Seas]

The trials, tragedies, and triumphs in life leave their marks on us. Scars from, and ribbons of joyful, memories that carve us a path. This is an insightful poem full of thoughtful introspect... a mode of thought each of us contemplate more when we've had sorrows or loneliness that clings. Well done!