poem: Dust, Cobblestones, and Miracles

about home

I wear you on my soul like a favorite jacket;

       old and worn in places, but with perfect fit,

and my feet carry me further

   into your mesas, synclines, anticlines, and igneous formations

         one step at a time, like before

but now, I am not afraid to look you in the eye.

 

I have seen the face of death in you, breathed the miracle of life

      and everything in-between is just the heartbeat

    of an old friend learning to adapt,

         one challenging moment at a time after another,

            to the forces changing the world.

 

You can never go home again, said Wolfe;

     but what if "home" is not a place but rather a concept,

        that deep meaning that you carry with you

 on shoulders sagging from a life of hard work

          that seems not to have gone anywhere.

 

Traveling your streets I find my own humanity

      tucked into my pocket like a small gift from a cherished friend

   whose memory brings so much regret

           you stop looking at the gift

    until you find it years later in the pocket of a coat you forgot you owned.

 

And so today, I bid you "a Dios"-

     to God, as we say, until we meet again

   so wishing I had better words to send my regards

          for what was broken has been rendered whole

what was whole now shows signs of wear and instability

 

and the madness of two worlds came crashing down on me

     yesterday while my feet walked your paths-

         but I am stronger now and the influence of terror is gone;

perhaps time for encountering my own face

     reflected softly in your waters, framed by your hills-

        baptized in your fire and reborn by your grace.

Reviews

[Larry Dyson]

yes....fire , water, and land - tierra and grace of God...
love this last stanza"what was broken has been rendered whole

what was whole now shows signs of wear and instability



and the madness of two worlds came crashing down on me

yesterday while my feet walked your paths-

but I am stronger now and the influence of terror is gone;

perhaps time for encountering my own face

reflected softly in your waters, framed by your hills-

baptized in your fire and reborn by your grace."

also I related so closely to this verse...having done this many a time...
"Traveling your streets I find my own humanity

tucked into my pocket like a treasured gift from a friend

whose memory brings so much regret

you stop looking at the gift

until you find it years later in the pocket of a coat you forgot you owned."

money pictures a note an address or phone #...found in another season when the jacket is brought out...

[Poetic Beauty]

This is a deep reflective poem about life changing event that makes us stronger and give a chance at rebirth. The imagery is done very well and I love the creative concept of this poem. The last line is strong and really makes you think about this piece as a whole.

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Marie,

The has the wonderful feel of quiet understanding, not as much an intellectual understanding, but more spiritual. We still do not fully understand life, but there is acceptance and knowledge that this is the world and that this is life. That it indeed goes on understood or not, and what's more, that this is okay and to be expected.

"but I am stronger now and the influence of terror is gone;
perhaps time for encountering my own face"

These are the words that were so revealing to me. Yes, time to stop being afraid and to face life. It is okay. Stop being afraid because you don't know everything and can't be in control. This is a roller-coaster ride. Stop gripping the railings with white knuckles. Throw your hands into the air and holler with the rest of the passengers of life. We're all along for the same ride, none of us in control.

This was greatly enjoyed.

Best regards,

Rick

[bob, small b. aka invs]

wow. this is amazing writing. the description of a place and time and a piece of your life. connections like this are rare, when the what is inside of you and what is outside somehow touch. i loved this.