Archival Inks

Strung words contain the meandering of lives
lived and lost
on straight paths and crooked trails.

Somedays its cursive current flows
from a wellspring
of curlicues and whorls,

and others,

it sits on the sharp points
of print in
straight lines made by broken pencils.

The story does not write itself,
but neither does the author,
it's a joint venture

of disjointed spurts
of uncertainty
waiting in spite of itself

for

we are all curious,
albeit peripherally,
in endings. STOP

Reviews

[Anand Sehgal]

The story does not write itself,
but neither does the author,
it's a joint venture! ....... Such a marvelous line ! Loved it to the core ! :)

[Traci]

The story does not write itself,
but neither does the author,

Beautifully written and conveyed, the heart of all true poets. Lovely write.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much.

[emmajoy]

Seems we think we're in partial control of our lives but in fact, something, who knows what, has other plans. Tis like walking across a shallow stream, using wet stone as the path then, slipping, sliding yet always going forward. Your words suggest a two-fold gift - of sorts. But, most of all seems that gift promises survival as long as we/you trust. Perhaps.

Your writing has inevitably offered choice to your reader. You never stamp your opinion, you put forward. You're neither sharply emphatic nor soft as putty. What you think - how you voice your thoughts, are offers to share, to ponder.. and cos of that, your writing opens the mind in the sweetest, gentles of ways. So very true, the STORY doesn't write itself, it hangs by its shirt-tails and the writer tells it tale best way a human can. Truly am delighted to see you post in here again.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much. I love your, "The story doesn't write itself, it hangs by its shirt-tails and the writer tells its tale the best way a human can. As always, I enjoy your visits.

[emmajoy]

Many thanks. i'm really pleased to see you back in the Cafe.. so many friends disappeared off without a word. Hopefully your world will let you pop in at least occasionally.

By the way, that phrase appeared from nowhere.. happens, as you know. (You)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

there is never a straight line in life...always some curves...it is how we maneuver them that counts.
And as poets we do the best we can to write the stories...and as poets, i think we let the story write itself through us...we have little control.
i am so glad to read you again,

j.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much jacob. We the authors only have so much say even in our own stories. Good to see you too.

[icelandicblue]

I can tell you form experience that I agree with you...so matter the story we have planned, the editor of fate has very different idea.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

The title for this poem is perfect, and the content even more so. Life is a journey indeed, filled with hills and valleys, sunshine and rain, love and pain. Eventually all things will end. Hopefully, the archival inks will serve as a reminder and guide for those left behind, to let them know they are not alone.

[icelandicblue]

Hello Linda,
I too hope that ink holds up to time. Nothing done has never been done before. It'd be nice for someone to know that I was here. I love your descriptive journey, I'm endlessly searching for the sunshine through the rain. Thank you my friend.

[John the Baptist]

The word "uncertainty" appears once in this offering, but it may be the key to the poem. The poet seems to say life takes different paths, "meandering" on "straight paths and crooked trails." Other hints include a reference to "straight lines made by broken pencils." Also, there is an interesting stanza that states, "The story does not write itself,/ but neither does the author./ it's a joint venture". I believe we're being told our conscious wills are not in complete control, but that's not completely bad news. The overall tone is upbeat. Very good work here.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you John. Life is a long marked on unmarked trails. I am happy that you enjoyed the poem. I look forward to reading your work.