when

artwork by talantbek chekirov

when the moon leaves for the day

the sky does not complain

it knows the moon will be back

when the morning tide is angry

the shore takes its punishment bravely

it knows the anger will recede soon

when a butterfly flits from flower to flower

the flowers are not jealous

they are happy for whatever attention they receive

when i fall apart in the privacy of my room

drinking in the darkness as an elixir

the walls understand

knowing soon things will be fine

Reviews

[Digvijay Singh]

I love this poem. And i read it 2-3 times. I feel that its actually if we have someone who can be our 'sky' 'shore' 'flower' and 'wall'. Someone who just knows that things will be better even when we doubt it. "I can jump off a cliff and smile, only if i have your love with me."
Beautiful ❤️

[Lydia Shutter]

How romantic. Thank you for the review, Digvijay. Lydi**

[Stella Armour]

It is like a circle , light to dark and back again, the dark never controls for long because light is always the strongest and breaks through often in tiny cracks which grow and are called optimism :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh yes, Stella, you know it. Thank you so much for the review. Have a happy New Year. Lydi**

[Stella Armour]

Wish you too a very "Happy New Year" Lydi :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you!

[Miss Sharon]

(when i fall apart in the privacy of my room drinking in the darkness as an elixir the walls understand
knowing soon things will be fine) Beautiful closure to this write my friend! ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Sharon. You are really catching up!
Lydi***

[barleygirl]

This is brilliant! Your examples are perfect & well-coordinated to illustrate your point. You teach us to be patient with life, with others, with ourselves . . . not reacting to ups & downs before we can see where the overall ride is taking us! I love your nuanced writing, which is always crystal clear, but I have a soft spot for a straightforward allegory like this! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

And I have a soft spot for your wonderful reviews, my friend. Thanks so much. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Beautiful artwork and wonderful words shared.
"when a butterfly flits from flower to flower
the flowers are not jealous
they are happy for whatever attention they receive"
I liked the above lines. The language in the words. So good dear Lydia.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

I am pleased you like this one. Thank you, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy and you are welcome dear Lydia.

[Shoshana]

I very much liked reading this poem. It showed pain yet beauty at once and I feel like a lot of people can relate to this. Thanks.
-Shoshana

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Shoshana. Lydi**

[kentuck14]

Lyd,
A wonderful observation on the give and take of life on this here planet. Thanks.
T

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you! Lydi**

[Laura Kate]

This is so powerful Lydia.

The sky, the shore and the flowers are all patient and understanding, probably whole enough in themselves not to panic or despair when something they love or need leaves them. There is such completeness and peace in the first three stanzas yet a disconnection in the last one, because it becomes suddenly so personal. The point is for me, that when people fall apart we fall apart from ourselves, and it is ourselves therefore that must at the same time show patience and understanding that we will be back, but during the time of falling apart, who really can be both vulnerable and be the pillars of strength that we need to pull ourselves through? But.. the walls understand. The walls of our most private and intimate spaces, where we feel safe and known, and it is in this space we find the strength.

Such wisdom here, and I loved the connections with nature.
Best wishes,
Laura

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a lovely review. Thank you very much, Laura. Lydi**

[R.E. Ray]

Truth in a few lines! We are vulnerable, fragile beings in this world. Aren't we? And, we've all felt the cold embrace of four walls, sometimes like a jail cell we can't seem to escape. Yet, there's comfort and time to reflect, too. That's what I take from this one, a benefit in changing our perspective. Nice work!

[Lydia Shutter]

I always appreciate your reviews. Thanks so much. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The theme of understanding flows through those first three stanzas as nature shows patience and mercy and tolerance. The final stanza is a sad one but is ameliorated with a promise that the protagonist can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A real take on how we poets often survive.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed....patience and understanding is the only way to go through life, John. Thanks so much for your review. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

so gald i did not miss this one Lydia ... your wisdom and life lived is all over it .. we suffer and endure without bitterness, complaint nor blaming and we grow so very much .. patience, faith and assurance .. i love this poem .. reading it is like listening to a favored elder ... as i imagine myself a youngster on Gramdpa's knee ... knowing his words are of high value but not understanding them ... having not experienced "life" just yet ;) into me ol' library this one goes ma'am ... lovin' on ya! :)
E.
ps. the imaging and emotive quality in the last verse is so rich and deep .. love it!

[Lydia Shutter]

Yea, well, I am an elder, and old lady! LOL Guess I have the wisdom that comes with age, E! Thanks so much for the review. Always happy to see you here. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

well ... i had to stretch me imagination .. as i neither am a youngster nor did i have such wisdom from me garndfather ... we didn't live close by and he was rather stoic with grandchildren ... but your poem inspired me .. the wisdom is sound no matter eh!?

[Lydia Shutter]

Smiling here.....I am proud to be a senior, E. Happy to get the discounts! :)

[Einstein Noodle]