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.

[Nothing Personal]

And i sent a read request for this one to all my friends. It is that good...

[Nothing Personal]

Seriously AWESOME. Poem of the Day for me. So beautiful. Such a thought. You talk of how we emphasize on the darker, dimmer sides of life instead of the ones which are bright and brim with hope. And such eloquent examples. The mood changes latter but your last stanza just BLEW me away.It was like consciousness before death and how desperately we want to hold onto life..Oh just too good for me. Made my day. Excellent poetry..

[Richard Williams]

A very good write, with fine imagery and the contrast of opposing events that touch our lives. A skilled glow of words set in a sincere frame.

[Drako]

seriously, i love everything i read from you. you're so good with imagery, your flow of words is perfect. your work is always brilliantly done, you will certainly be a published author in the future, and i would be first in line to buy anything you write

[InkSlinger]

I always find myself enchanted by a poem that is full of imagery, softly painted, or crafted with the intent of pulling the reader along for the ride.. This piece wrapped me in a blanket of warmth, and at the same helped me to acknowledge that others feel much of the things I feel, and see.. Super!!

[Deviant Works]

Absolutely breathtaking. I truly mean it. I can't even pick a favorite part to quote. Such raw talent I must say. I am a lover of life and all things beautiful and in my heart I know life and beauty fades. Complete praise for this poem which sent an incredible message to the reader. I wish everyone could live through these words.

[JAM]

I think this is one of my favorite poems I've read in a long time, and I'm in 3 college courses dedicated to poetry this semester (I'm just saying.) I really loved the alliterations, the parallels you draw from what the world considers to be a sign of beauty and life and what you consider to be a symbol of death and despair. This is a very lovely poem.