Once Was

the first time radiated a kind of heat that has no choice but to reduce to a quick cinder

flames that once were at maximum combustion

became fleeting, yet still

possessing enough intensity warmed moments came and went

these moments having the tenacity to hold me right there

in place

refusal to douse and instead choosing to

wait out the longevity of something slowly dying gifted

increased pain within

torment of knowing the

Impossibility of continuance, yet

choosing to take the endurance race - just because

alone the candle flame dwindles

wick almost gone

flickering now, to a final goodbye

gaze flitters hither tither

searching the no longer searchable

hold fast now

not for too long

flames have been whipped up to a different wind

I have been left in place

time to relearn how to grow

Reviews

[Cassie]

the emotions are soo strong here, the imagery too..I am enjoying reading you

[barleygirl]

This is very powerful becuz you bypass the drama & convey the nuts & bolts of the way these things go, showing the trajectory in a cerebral way, as if explaining how it all went down, how one gets so tangled in dumb expectations, etc. as we all do. I love that this narrator is being so forthright, so self-honest without undue recriminations. There's an underlying tone of self-acceptance that's instructive, like showing how we can all look back on our crooked journeys with compassion (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[KWP]

you are such a great reviewer - I very much appreciate that. Hop you are well over there. This side is hectically busy ....

[barleygirl]

Glad I've had a safe & healthy year, despite being between 3 wildfires & still thanking God for the firefighters. Hope you & your loved ones are safe & healthy, too!

[Einstein Noodle]

my goodness .. so sad to watch as something fades and threatens to die completely ... not knowing what to do about it .. if anything is possible to do about it .. sometimes the "...choosing to take the endurance race.." will blossom winds from other directions .. sometimes its just torturing all involved .. i feel the dilemma .. in relationships we choose every day ... stay or go .. its not easy sometimes :( i think "other winds" are always at the ready ...not necessarily best to fly with them eh!? i think your poem is very vulnerable and honest ... speaks to everyone i am sure ..

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear poet. I liked and I understood the poetry.
"hold fast now
not for too long
flames have been whipped up to a different wind"
The above lines, we shall know often. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Kari Rakitan]

The best things in life are fleeting.

[duff]

Let us pursue until the pain is unbearable. In a bed aching. Unable to be read a book still. Consumed by the force pecking at our very existence. The chase is always there but can we stop. My mind is in exploration mode. I like it. Great poetry.

[KWP]

Well that is very in tune - nice one - dancing, hopping, moving on to the next next next ... ahhhh hold long enough to finally drop into something new.

[John the Baptist]

This one seems to describe some kind of loss, some kind of decline. What has been lost is not specified, but I feel it may be something physical. Despite its apparent severity, I get the feeling the speaker is not ready to go just yet. The last two lines indicate a will to stay the course, though that staying may take some adaptation. Best of luck and may the relearning be swift.

[KWP]

It's all moment by moment yes? The stepping back and looking acres from a new angle- understanding self enough to make the next decision to keep going forwards upwards, forever in expansion of growth - thanks my friend X

[emmajoy]

' .. alone the candle flame dwindles .. wick almost gone .. flickering now, to a final goodbye '

Emotionally exhausted? Physically wan6ing.. waning.. little remaining.. empty? Time comes and goes, stays, becomes dark and darker still. I sense so much in your words, but I'm not the writer, not able to fully understand or even guess the reason for your poem.. tis such an extreme feeling running through from start to that very final line. A pause, a thought, a new beginning - a mystery?

[KWP]

hoping on even when you know it's not the best decision - :) thanks gorgeous lady - you are da bomb.

[emmajoy]

Yes, known to explode when irked now and again!! Take care of you, please. Keep safe, E, enjoy life and all

[KWP]

oh we are so similar ;)

[emmajoy]

We could start a club, call it the CouldB Forgiven!

[KWP]

The Chinese say ... when somebody gets angry they momentarily loose their mind ... this is me ... so long as my mind don't float off somewhere (or perhaps) Im cool with that :)

[emmajoy]

Have doubts about mine at times! :)