What We Haven't Done

For a long time I didn't see how beautiful the world we live in is, and as a result I couldn't find happiness either.

I’ve heard the wolves cry to the dim light of the moon

More then I’ve listened to the birds sing

As their music sends me dancing in my dreams.

 

I’ve watched the sun set

More often then I’ve seen it rise

Restlessly raining red.

 

I’ve seen the world dead;           

I’ve watched it die

More times then I’ve looked at a sky and felt alive.

 

I’ve never seen a bird fly,

But I’ve watched autumn leaves fall

Down halls of wind, disappearing into dimmed light.

 

My heart has never beat with passion,

But I’ve felt detachment from the Earth,

Like my feet didn’t belong on the dirt.

 

I’ve been part of a herd, a cow licking blades

Of grass in balding pastures as I saw horses

Glide out in the open, while I cowardly crouched

And hid beneath the fences of that field.

 

I was a warrior, drenched in strife as nature rained upon me

Meeting my strikes with light and beauty.

The dusk became me, shadows were my soul,

I was afraid to embrace what I had not been told.

Then, in the battle my shield broke

And the world spoke the words I had always longed to hear

But had always ignorantly feared.

 

“Embrace the grace of the grass,

play with the petals that have settled into the soil

because they toiled against storms and suns

to glimmer against natures light that grows dimmer

with each passing hour,

devouring the divine, shortening its time.

It won’t always be here for you to hold dear

So cling to the flame of the exquisite without shame.”

 

Suddenly my mind was not blind,

Time was ticking quickly

The trees were fleeing right before me.

I wanted to hold onto the world forever

And never forget the tints that glinted

Like the sun against pale snow in a soothing, soft glow.

Reviews

[Truman S. Booth]

This is one of the most gorgeous poems I've ever read. I wonder how long it took you to write it. It is masterfully crafted, especially the second to last stanza, the words from the world. The poetic devices seamlessly linked every line, and my mind slithered ethereally through its radiant beauty. A wonderful message, superbly constructed. Fantastic write.

[Robyn]

this is beautiful and well thought out

[trainwreck]

This is so true its brilliant. Honestly, this is a beautiful work you've crafted and I am very impressed.

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

Beautiful job, it all flows together perfectly~ I love the line: "The dusk became me, shadows were my soul,
I was afraid to embrace what I had not been told."
Great, great job!

[Zackery Alan Daley]

What an excellent write. I love the varied stanzas and the flow. Very lyrical and descriptive, while also having a distinct sense of mystery and attention grabbing lines that amaze me.

[Eternal.Dreamer]

When you are sad, disappointed, you don't see the beautiful things that are around us, that's always like that. Great poem.

[Ice QueenJen]

Yes what an amazing poem, I have felt the same way about not being worthy for my feet to touch the dirt. I think you have captured the essence of what being alive means, yet takes for granted all the beauty that surrounds us daily.

I am going to save this one!

[Worms]

amazing poem,
good descriptive detail and very nice metaphors

[Goodbye]

This is absolutely amazing, Cassandra! Your words are so richly textured, with perceptible movement to the reader. Excellent.

[TheBandit]

"My heart has never beat with passion"
Is my favorite line
Reminds me of one of my favorite song lyrics ever
Ah this poem was such a pleasure to read
Thanks for writing it