Fires die

Missing the people

we've never met

tears escape 

silently through our lashes

a sadness we never knew we had

attempts to fill an emptiness

we assumed had always been full

when we close our eyes

we miss them

as if we knew them once before

as if we would know them if we were to 

feel them again in our presence

words are mere temptations

sirens, luring the vulnerable away

strong waters carry the weak

drifting

floundering

to the tunnel 

and towards the cold, sharp edges 

of an empty cave

we stand

bracing ourselves against the silence

toes freezing in midnight waters

pebbles scratching against our feet

backs facing the tides

eyes

searching for a symbol

a sign

something inscribed in the walls

or maybe for

just a flicker of light

sizzling sparks of smoke fuelled wood 

burnt 

in a fire which died 

a long, long time ago.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your poem describes how complex it can be, knowing/loving people who we imagine will be part of our lives forever. This message harkens to the way I used to think me & my sisters were completely connected, despite sometimes not being in touch for a year or two or five or ten. Now that I'm 64, I realize these constant long absences are not acceptable to me & I had to let my sisters go. They weren't as close as I had imagined. I was just trying to keep them close by compromising what I really needed from these relationships & pretending we had so much in common. I love the way you describe a jolting life realization in terms of gnarly imagery . . . bracing, scratching, searching . . . and good use of dynamic verbs! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laura Kate]

Hi Margie! Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your experience. I can understand this long absence that you're talking about. There seems to be attachments that we feel we are supposed to hold onto, even if we hurt ourselves in the process. It's this jolting life realisation that you speak of. Not only attachments to the tangible but attachments to the ideas that we have, of how things were supposed to be. Aren't we all so complicated! :) Lots of love and best wishes to you. Laura

[barleygirl]

"attachments to the ideas we have" -- LOVE THAT!

[Danny Metcalfe]

'we stand
bracing ourselves against the silence
toes freezing in midnight waters
pebbles scratching against our feet
backs facing the tides

eyes
searching for a symbol
a sign
something inscribed in the walls
or maybe for
just a flicker of light'

I really like these lines. They feel very honest and full of emotion.

All in all nice work. :)

[Laura Kate]

Thank you for reading, and for sharing your thoughts :)

[Paul Bell]

I suppose they are two types of deaths.
Those in the media never really die, immortality through media keeps them alive.
There is another death though. The person you once knew now deceased. They always seem to trouble you and in some instances put you on a guilt trip.

[Laura Kate]

That's very true, Paul. Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts. Happy New Year!

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Wow a unique awesome poem as we search for signs and things that hint the presence of the soul we loved in flesh but has moved on to the afterlife realm. The poem is a sombre mystic mysterious musing I liked reading of. Kudos!

[Laura Kate]

Thank you for your kind words

[Robert Trakofler]

I have felt this way about a handful of people I never new mostly musicians and a few writers as if i new them personally:) you captured this in my mind particularly in that statement about the void you feel that you never thought needed filled! so perfectly!

[Laura Kate]

This void is exactly what the feeling is, it seems so complicated though. It's a void but how can you miss what you don't yet know? Perhaps it's an expectation, or a fantasy, which is what I think Kent's review was leaning towards. Thanks for your review Robert, much appreciated!

[Robert Trakofler]

This is something many writers and artists have felt over the centuries it has been depicted and written about

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing words and thoughts shared LouBelle.
"words are mere temptations
sirens, luring the vulnerable away
strong waters carry the weak
drifting
floundering"
I understand the above lines. I have loved books since I was seven year old. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Laura Kate]

It's my pleasure, Coyote, and always a pleasure to read your reviews. Thank you. Laura.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Kent Rawski]

Is this a warning to not fall into isolation seclusion to embrace humanity

[Laura Kate]

Hi Kent, yes I suppose it is. I think you described the essence of this perfectly, better than I could have. Thank you, Laura.