Copacetic

To be read slowly, with pause and purpose.

Copacetic

 

Not every “thing” is a happy poem,

nor a picture-painting sitting pretty.

Not all rises are sun smiles,

nor a melodious humming song.

 

Sometimes,

the landscapes are dissonate.

The music bleak,

black,

bland.

At times,

even the food smells like sewage.

 

Other days are not filled with joy.

They are merely get-bys,

us,

watching the minutes,

seconds,

slide on by until sleep washes over.

 

There are “some” times,

where grey is made from black and white.

Other “times” shine with radiant rainbows,

peeking through dulled sullen shadows,

blending the darkness to grey.

 

In moments of surrender,

remember,

days of the new are always promised replenishment.

One,

upon the next,

coming after the other,

again,

unnoticed in silent repeat.

 

But,

not every “thing” is a happy poem,

not every day is a dream…

so it’s perfectly ok...

to paint happy trees.

Author's Note

Photo courtesy of https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-dream-landscape-attraction-geometry-concept-image54356955. Not intended for copyright infringement.

Reviews

[Pete]

i've always loved that word and so was immediately drawn to this. this write is so cool and powerfully emotive even though it describes a neutral middle ground of mere order. it is up to us to decide which side in which it will tip, how will we color our attitude and world today?. very different, creative and well done. you've also used some words and imagery that i love. i actually like this so much that will add it to my library ... :)

[Seriana]

Thank you so much Pete! I have always loved this word, too. Sometimes I get in these moods swung way far in either direction. Almost to the extreme and it feels yuck. This time, I thought, let's write about that in an "ok" way. Accept it that it's all going to be alright. Doesn't have to be pretty, but alright. Thanks for stopping by!

[Pete]

my pleasure. i know those moods you describe all too well ... :)

[Richard🖌]

Seriana 🍷

Of all those I've read who write in Free Verse, it's yours I most enjoy and revel in the mature intelligence of your enthrallingly skilled penship.
On the theme of poignant poetry, I was once asked why I write so much sadness and heartache, to which I replied, "Sadness is equally as much an intricately necessary part of life, feeling, and emotion as is jubilation and pleasure … for, without one, the other could not exist." To which she exclaimed, "You're nuts!" LOL!
Well, what's to say, Seriana? I suppose the grasp of relativity does not appeal to everyone, eh?

In particular, your accompanying photos and artwork choices always set the spot-on timbre for what's to come, and there's no doubt your clean, balanced presentations offer the mind's-eye a treat, as your unique syntax and creative diction awakens one's perspectives and appreciation in how they serve to captivate and enchant from first to final line … you use simple language like artists blend their oils to stroke vividly complex imagery upon the canvas, dancing off into our conscious experience.
Indeed, master poetess You are!

I haven't used the word "copacetic" in years. But, how powerfully perfect it expresses your poetry!
Thank you most gratefully for so generously sharing your stellar skills! ⁓ Richard🖌


PS … ya get a chance, give my sad little Free Verse piece, "Explaining to a Leaf" a glimpse: https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/2096521/

[D. Mansfield]

I love the "happy trees" great poetry!

[Seriana]

Thank you so much for your review!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Christopher Marlow is said to have been the origin of the commonly repeated phrase, "misery loves company" in his "The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus" from 1592. If we go back another fifty years we can find William Turner writing something very akin to "birds of a feather flock together." Either way, miserable people may live and love to make others miserable or to, at least, feel they aren't alone in their misery. Christ said, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure." Matthew 12:34 I don't think it is "evil" at all to suffer. That is simply part of the human condition. But to spread suffering for the lack of feeling included, accepted or validated might be considered a grievous wrong by many. So, we have have the song by Barbara Streisand. "Don't Rain on My Parade" from 1964. There are so many philosophies to consider to reach a logical conclusion. My own mother used to say "share your blessings with humility and keep your losses silent". So, in essence, she was saying don't rain on someone else's parade but help when and where you can. We have plenty of sad songs and sad poems and sad stories in our sad world. And I've no doubt as long as human suffering continues there will be an audience for them because "misery loves company". Shakespeare's character, Hamlet poses the question, "Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the "slings and arrows" of outrageous fortune or to "take arms against a sea of troubles" and "by opposing" end them?" To suffer quietly or to fight against impediments? To mourn like doves or to growl like bears? Some say challenges build character. Others say they weaken our resolve and make us uncertain of our intent. I'm prone to believe the truth is somewhere in between. I believe we should never "give up" fighting for what we believe to be right, just and true. But I also believe we should be gentle with those who are hurting and try to find empathy in our shared humanity. Thank you for this obviously, thought invoking write and for sharing your words here. I really did enjoy the quandary or rational dilemma it brought to my mind. It was a pleasure to read and to apply personal philosophical debate to the subject. Wishing you light, peace and happiness. F.

[Seriana]

You're welcome. And thank YOU Fabian, for the education and reminder. I understand where you are coming from. And glad you understood where I was coming from. For too long in life I've endured the "suck it up and move on" motto, whether in looks from people or verbally. When I am in pain, suffering or loss. This was a light reminder that we cannot always be that happy cheery individual, and that sad times must also be felt and gone through. To all things there is a balance. Thank you again!

[Gee]

Like others, I suspect, I had to Google the title word, and, after doing so read your poem as the normality of life, well mine anyway:)
I can relate very well to sad poetry as this mainly the mainstay of my writing, especially the last three years.
Enjoyed reading you Seriana

[Seriana]

Thank you Gee!! I appreciate you stopping by to sit with me :)

[Chris Shaw]

Your title intrigued me Seriana. I thank you for extending my vocabulary. You are so right, not every poem is a happy one. I
am particularly drawn to the wretchedness in emotional pull that your second stanza conveys. Your imagery certainly paints a bleak and desperate picture. Reminds me of depression and the feeling that it won’t lift. Yet eventually a glint of light may break the cycle. When we get those days of black dog, that’s when you have to dig deep and that can be nigh on impossible. Good to stop by today. Have a good Sunday.

Chris

[Seriana]

Thank you Chris! Always a pleasure to see you. I am so glad you enjoyed this. Happy Sunday to you across the pond!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you 🌺

[John the Baptist]

Indeed, not everything is a happy poem. But human judgments can make them worse.

[Seriana]

Very true, John. Thank you for stopping by!

[willweb]

My friend, there is just something about this poem that makes me smile and yes, I know not all poems are happy poems and this one fits that bill but something brought happiness to me. Perhaps that final libe, perhaps just the poem itself written in your amazing style. I guess what I am saying is I like this a lot

[Seriana]

Thank you again! I'm glad you got that "happy" part. I am thrilled for all of your reviews. Thank you so much!