Painted Skies

The coffee stain, smeared across

this glossy-finished tabletop

like a waterstain- painted, drawn;

catches my eye,

as it always does,

during the early hours of dawn.

 

It seizes my train of thought,

a temporary stop,

screeching, pistons ceasing

as I think to the other stains

                that still aren’t gone.

 

Like the stain of disdain

I have for all the things

I still have yet to gain.

This cigarette,

burnt out from neglect,

rests between my fingertips

as I sip upon the same

early morning coffee,

I drink at the start of every day.

 

And I think,

I lack heart in the things I say,

constantly scratching away

at a leatherbound book,

as I look

                for meaning in this life.

 

I’ve been dreaming of things,

my tongue can’t speak;

of green fields

            starry skies

and snowy mountain peaks.

And of something else,

                        I really seek…

someone whispering in my ear,

taking away my fears;

making me feel weak

                            and strong.

who makes days short

               and moments long.

 

I rest my coffee cup

upon that stain and lift my head

looking up

                 at my window instead;

I stop and see the first light

over the rooftops,

                      breaking away the night

as I imagine you rising out of bed.

 

And I seek sleep,

because deep in those dreams

everything seems…

                               …better.

Not an escape.

A time to envision

and help with the decision

to break away the tape

around this crime scene

that used to be my dreams…

                …but not any longer.

 

Because…

               there is a green field,

painted behind my eyes…

and I must simply close them

to see those starry skies,

where you and I

lay side by side,

upon beds of grass…

I know eventually I’ll meet you there,

                    old friends, embraced at last…

 

And with you I’ll lie down

               in those green pastures

forgetting past years

                          and past hurts…

 

There is for once solemnity

                                  in my soul…

and this sin in me,

which burns like coals

is starved in the waters of your sea…

 

And I wish to thank you,

for your sacrosanct heart.

It is a shrine in the eyes

                      of my departing mind…

 

To me, you are sacred;

and I wish to rid

myself of the fears

that put a lid upon my heart,

                     ready to burst…

Because you quench the thirst

of my soul,

in you, I finally live…

and I know,

            you deserve all I can give.

 

Because I find strength in all our talks.

And through them I would walk,

through that darkest valley,

in the alley between hopelessness

and despair…

For even there,

            you rally the courage in me;

you give me reason to be

                          a better man.

To stand…

                  …when I once would lay.

 

You have brought me a soul

of solemnity…

And given me a mind

                          of serenity…

I now have a heart longing for love

 just saying “Let it be! Let it be!”

 

So I look upon that coffee stain,

and give a little smile.

In a short while,

we’ll talk again

and I’ll be greeted

by the hope you send

           in every little message…

I watch the last vestige

of night fade away to day…

                       the sun is free…

I think of you

and I think of me

then I think of the stain....

         and decide to let it be,

  let it be…

Reviews

[Jessica M. Lundquist]

Beautiful word choice throughout - I love the "let it be,/let it be..." at the end - what a great sentiment to leave on. Also very visual - the coffee stain, such an everyday thing, so ugly, yet you siphon a beautiful thought out of it. I love that this doesn't have a rigid rhyme scheme - I think that makes it really interesting and groups/organizes thoughts appropriately. I can feel the longing and the devotion in this... and also an "other-worldly" feeling (for lack of a better term). You began with a very tangible, earthly image and lead me into another, more peaceful place. The thought I'm left with is not that anything is perfect, but that to "let it be" is best. Very moving. Great job.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you, that truly means a lot. My rhyme scheme has changed quite a lot since I first joined this site, turning into what it is now, thanks largely to a good friend in my life, who is a bit of a muse and a bit of something more. Its amazing how simple changes in our lives can switch around the way we think, even the way we write. Sorry, I'm rambling lol I get carried away sometimes. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem, that truly means a lot.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Sounds more like a story then a poem.
Though it sure was very deep and filled with such strong emotion.
Its very beautiful and romantic this piece.
Very well thought out to, cleaver write.
Keep writing :)

[Sami Khalil]

An enjoyable read from top to bottom. My fave:

"You have brought me a soul
of solemnity…
And given me a mind
of serenity…"
Bravo

[PurpleQuartz]

That is an amazing poem. The imagery was so very clear I kept forgetting they words that I was reading, and not a picture.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to comment, too. I'm glad you got something out of it.

[James Jackson]

Just joined this site and I came across your profile. I loved the language of this poem as well as the flow. Good job!

[MachinaWriter]

Thanks! I try and leave the flow of my pieces to be more organic, freeform. I'm glad you liked it.

[FlamingPhoenix]

As I prepare for a funeral this morning and reflect on people and relationships I have recently lost, and the tremendous impact each person whom I have momentarily or eternally called friend, has changed my life, I have struggled to sleep or calm my mind. This work brought me a sense of peace and I thank you for that!

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you. I feel honoured that I was able to give that to you; it's the greatest compliment a writer like me could ever hope to achieve. I wish you well, and hope that you are able to work through the moments to come in your own time.

[A. Amos]

I absolutely love those verses,  very relateable! amazingly written and well expressed

[MachinaWriter]

Oh, thank you ^^ How did you find this poem? lol It's been a while. Eh, doesn't matter. I appreciate you taking the time, this particular poem holds a high place in my heart so I'm glad it got to be shared with someone new ^-^

[A. Amos]

My friend, diamond always shine such as your piece...honor and pleasure is all mine...you're most welcome

[EMMIE]

I never look for form or writing or anything when I read poetry, but I have to say your style is amazing great rhyme scheme and a beautiful concept. Probably one of the best I've read in a while

[MachinaWriter]

I don't look at form or anything even when I'm writing poetry lol I just let it happen the way it should happen, or the way that feels natural to me. I'm glad you enjoyed the style and the read, that means a lot to me, and I definitely encourage you to take a look at more of my work if you ever get a chance ^^

[Muse]

I took pleasure remininscing with you during this moment of self-reflection. I chuckle at the coffee reference...my mind does not fully function until after that first sip...then the mind begins to churn...I forget how powerful my thoughts can be during this time of day...perhaps that is why some of my best work is written Sunday morning....as I sip my first cup of hot jo.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you, immensely. I feel the same way lol coffee is my blood stream. I haven't been able to write a lot lately, busy with the holidays. Haven't gotten to talk to a lot of old friends, either. Maybe a good cup of coffee might get the mind working right again lol

[Muse]

Happy New Year. :))

[MachinaWriter]

Happy New Year to you, as well ^^

[I, Rene]

this was a rendering of a very beautiful soul put to paper.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you, that means a lot ^^

[Apatheia]

As always, this is amazing. It's beautifully wrote and I got the image so easily. You're such a great writer. Don't stop, darling. :) I really loved the lines "and this sin in me,/ which burns like coals/ is starved in the waters of your sea…"

[MachinaWriter]

Where have you been? lol I've missed your reviews.

[Apatheia]

I just got done with the play I'm in so I'll have plenty of free time now to be online. :) I have a lot of catching up to do on your work so I'm sure you'll see more reviews soon.

[MachinaWriter]

I just can't wait to read more of your work. It's been too long. And I can't wait to see your reviews. My style has changed a lot since you were last on and I want to hear what you think about the shift. And how did the play go?

[Apatheia]

It went pretty good, actually. The writer came and watched it and said we were a perfect example on what the play should be like. I've posted three poems recently, you should check them out. I'll have to read more of your poetry then and see the change. I like this one though, so i'm sure the rest is just as good. ^^

[MachinaWriter]

I'll definitely check them out ^^ Actually, I've posted quite a few poems since you've been gone. I had a bit of a creative surge there for a while lol But I'd love to get your thoughts on one of my poems "Spanish Lullaby" in particular. I'm about to go check out these new masterpieces of yours, in the meantime xD

[Apatheia]

Hahah okay, I'll check it out. :)