Learning to Live

Like flower petals the days have fallen
away. Counting, childishly, all the meals
I could not eat, I have stored the numbers
like wafers under my tongue instead. Count
the moons as they give birth then disappear.
Love is as tangible as myth. Pleasure a luxury
for daffodils that nod over water, rapt
by January winds bending their bodies
closer to the source of reflection. Hold
your hand up/shade out the sun. Watch
the birds dart toward some distance
unreachable even by trees. All things will
gather at the gate of ends eventually

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL Oh how you get to the crux of a thing! it has been 5 years since my death experience and still to this day I haven't fully learned how to live again. I have improved, I am less hesitant to buy green bananas:/ but as you so eloquently expressed love is indeed a foreign affair:( I have so much love in my heart that somedays I feel as if it would burst and ironically that is the problem dear sister! this is an exceptional poem from you and you have an exceptionally high bar to begin with

[Eilis]

Hi, Robert. I can definitely understand what you mean perfectly. Living between those two worlds complicates the actual living significantly. Thank you for your visit. I always enjoy hearing from you!

[Beccy]

The days really do fall like flower petals; and by the the time we truly learn to live, to begin to get a glimmer of understanding about the force that drives and sustains us, we are I fear closer to the end rather than the beginning.

This is a truly insightful and reflective poem.

Becy.

[Eilis]

Hi, Beccy. So nice to see your words on my page. It is a shame when learn so many things late. I hope you are well and have a lovely holiday season. Thank you for your visit.

[Thomas W Case]

Perfection. Truly brilliant work.

[Eilis]

Thanks, Thomas

[Paul in the Buff]

Hearts to hold.

Sometimes we don't quite appreciate life until it is nearly taken from us, and we're given another chance.

In the larger picture, my fight has just begun, and this gives me encouragement to find more reasons to appreciate where I'm at.

[Eilis]

Hi, Paul. Thanks for sharing you understand this in some way. Life takes us by surprise quite often and we find we must learn to begin again. My best to you on your new journey. Thankfully we have poetry. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

[Joli Dy]

These beautifully gifted words beguiled. I keep revisiting "Counting, childishly, all the meals
I could not eat, I have stored the numbers
like wafers under my tongue instead."
It quickens my heart a bit.

[Eilis]

Hi, Joli. Thank you for the kind comment. I appreciate you reading.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Eilis, I recognize this place you write about. Many years ago, but I wouldn’t be able to convey the experience to the depth that you have. You struck a chord here with me. The birds sang, but I did not hear their song and mine had gone too. You write beautifully dear poet. It was a dark period. Sending you the best of wishes.

[Eilis]

Hi, Chris. Thank you for your kind and empathetic comment. It’s always nice to hear from you.

[barf]

you write so so beautifully, i feel almost as if i was there in the space with you when you experienced the things you experienced to be able to write this piece the way you did. This is great Eilis!

[Eilis]

Thanks so much! I’m glad the poem gave you that feeling. Thank you for your kind words.

[SkinlessFrank]

This piece reminds me of death in the more general sense. You seem to be playing with the way that we know but do not know it, or do not face the reality of it, but instead keep a kind of abstract count of time passing and opportunities missed, and the realisation things we will never achieve or be blessed with in this one life we have.

[Eilis]

I think when I wrote this I felt like the walking dead. I think I was trying to convince myself there was something more. Though the tone doesn’t seem to say that. Your last thought feels particularly apt. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"bending their bodies closer to the source of reflection" Wow, wish I had written that.
I feel my age sometimes...like I am bending closer to that reflection.
nicely done
You are so so good, my friend!

[Eilis]

Hey, Jacob. Thanks so much! You always make me feel good about what I’m doing.