Metamorphosis

Changing with each step

 

 

Metamorphosis

 

Tracing footsteps in the overgrown field

where sunlight and rain drops date

Counting sticker burrs like lemon drops

in a candy counter display

Hitchhikers I remember them called,

lovers of socks and pant legs I think

Each with their own story to tell,

minute worries clinging to that last hope of life

 

The path, familiar but then again not,

it leads somewhere else now

Dragging shadows like kite strings,

knotted in the weave of its boundaries

Taking in my surroundings and releasing them  

for another may find them useful as well,

I find still no sign of that last phrase,

spoken softly but misunderstood…is my understanding

 

A collection of stone and gravel stew

finds my shoe souls imaging in the dry dusty paste

Outlines of thoughts, perhaps poetry in oblong shapes and

perfect tread patterns stamped and posted,

showing no signs of my ever being here

Staring now at a cocoon on a lone branch, I see

what my life had been, dark and lonely, dreaming of the colors,

feeling confined but grateful for the transformation

 

You smiled, I smiled, my wings appeared and I flew,

as might a rainbow on a balloon, soaring until the tiniest speck

in the sky could be me or just something on your glasses

Light headed in a good way, free at last to define love,

the metamorphosis of my heart,

the changing of a man into more than he could hope to be,

seeking and finding that blossom,

sweet nectar, a sugary substance, love deep in the petals of life

 

Though, no one told me of the life span before hand,

no calendar hanging on my wall with circled dates highlighted in red,

nor a stamp of expiration anywhere on my heart,

good if used by…used by, funny I should write that now

as my attention rests still on this cocoon,

wondering where I went wrong,

somewhere on this path lies the answer…

for I once was a butterfly, just as you will be small cocoon,

 

at which time you will learn…

 

it is easier to fly with a heart that is unbroken

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Christine Jackson]

I like this one. My heart strings were tugged on through this story of love and change.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Christine. I hope you find your way around WC and make some new friends. Call on me if you need any help.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

This is an epic piece, Jack. I'm so sorry that I missed it before, but my RR's and out of control and I honestly just didn't get one for this one. Anyway...

I absolutely love the concept of this one, but the concept would be nothing without the imagery, which is stellar.

Counting sticker burrs like lemon drops
in a candy counter display -- how extremely creative...lovely lines.

There is a distinct journey in this one. You set up the piece and then you follow it through as though it is a trip through the mind and heart--I can see YOU in this one.

Though, no one told me of the life span before hand,
no calendar hanging on my wall with circled dates highlighted in red,
nor a stamp of expiration anywhere on my heart,
good if used by…used by, funny I should write that now
as my attention rests still on this cocoon,
wondering where I went wrong,
somewhere on this path lies the answer…
for I once was a butterfly, just as you will be small cocoon, -- hate to highlight entire sections, but for me this whole stanza is the pivotal point in the piece...the place where it all comes together and the answers are revealed.

You are amazing, Jack. Again, I'm so sorry that I missed this one!

[Jack...]

No problem my friend. Thank you so very much for your wonderful review. I did pour a lot of myself in this piece and indeed, that very well was me on that path at one time or the other.

[TL Boehm]

oh good grief. How do I review this? I don't think I can articulate the thoughts that come to mind and do it justice. This is part journal entry - it has that intimate feeling as though I opened a diary page or a letter to someone close - and yet it is highly poetic, intelligent writing - the stone stew. Loved that. And that end line - wow. I found myself fully immersed in the writing.

[Jack...]

Tammy, you humble me with your kind words. This did come from somewhere deep inside, a very personal place, but that is the thing about poetry...it just comes from these places and it is so very hard to stop. I am glad you enjoyed this.

[Astro]

Some great deep metaphor and strong ending message here Jack, I loved your opening as well. The descriptions of the field and flora and the pathways and the sugary taste of love all excellently written to fill the readers mind with a place of happiness and lightness of being before you take them on a journey that leaves the reader feeling the weight of experience and respectful of those final words being imparted. Loved it.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Astro. I truly appreciate your kind words to me.

[Astro]

Most welcome as always.

[Ravyne Hawke]

Gorgeous! The imagery in this piece delights my senses. You have a wonderful way of weaving your words and dragging your readers in for closer inspection. The ending holds such truth.

[Jack...]

Lori, I appreciate your visits this weekend and the always kind words you leave for me.

[s y e]

"You smiled, I smiled, my wings appeared and I flew,
as might a rainbow on a balloon, soaring until the tiniest speck
in the sky could be me or just something on your glasses
Light headed in a good way, free at last to define love,
the metamorphosis of my heart,
the changing of a man into more than he could hope to be,
seeking and finding that blossom,
sweet nectar, a sugary substance, love deep in the petals of life"

I loved this stanza, Jackomantic. You always write such vivid, amazing writes. Letting the reader feel and see what you do, hear and touch what you do. It's so real and feels like it's infront me and this is no different. Amazing as always.

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much my sweet friend.

[wandering daughter]

really good poem!
I can see that you have been doing this for some time. You use powerful images to illustrate this.
I think it's unique. The ending speaks so clearly to me. That feeling of naivety gone. looking forward to read some more work.

[Jack...]

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such nice comments for me. I do appreciate it.

[Mark]

Powerful ending to a very introspective work. This is one of the best of your writings on my opinion. Strong imagery, carefully hooked to the conceots thry were created to portray. I relate very strongly to the theme, and I'm sure that colors my review but then I've never been much for objective reviews.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. If it colors your review, then let's just say, I like the color of your review.

[Angel]

This is an amazing piece with an amazing message.
But, in my own experience, if I had never had a broken heart, I would never have learned to fly at all...

[Jack...]

Everyone experiences it differently. Some fly, so sink and some just wither away. Thank you so much my sweet friend. Happiness finds me when you are around.

[Angel]

Awww, shucks, Sir...
I'll bet you say that to all the girls...

[Jack...]

Only the cute ones. :)

[David Scott]

Ah... to un-break a broken heart...
Better if it were never broken, but better still to have risked the heart break and know the joy of "flying". At least then, our soul will know what to become when we finally find metamorphosis.
A very fine poem Jack. I felt the sincerity of it.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much David. I appreciate your words and you do speak truth my friend.