WE HAVE LIVED

05 23 13

We have lived
like grounded magpies
having to choose between flight
and a grip on a book of matches

Ill-fated wicks
illuminate frozen gazes
into its flame
then dry out and capsize
stirring congealed syrups
of mourning

We do unto flint
what fate has done unto us
sculpting its yellow mission
into little black hourglasses
strewn about our feet
like schools of lost minnows

Our living rooms
settle for shrines of wax
We settle for ways
of an orphaned shepherd
unhinging our dams of emotion
on the infernos assaulting
our family trees
encroaching on whatever
flora remains
in our field of lonely futures

Author's Note

In time, the best memories will rise to the surface, but not before sadness runs it course.

The opening stanza was inspired by The Fate of the Magpie...and Me by Girl Friday (http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/GirlFriday/1179366/). She's one of my favourite poets so I hope she doesn't mind :)

Reviews

[KAOlmsted]

"...like grounded magpies..." --made me smile.

"...stirring congealed syrups of mourning..." --dude.

"...encroaching on whatever
flora remains
in our field of lonely futures..." --got it but...the entire stanza before it was like (to some, perhaps) what?? *laugh*

(an?)

Sorry, I seem to have just cut and pasted and told you how awesome *laugh* Meh...This is me gushing on your pages, babe. You must be used to it ;-)

xoxo

[kublakhan27]

You always find a way to make me laugh or at least smile, thank you my dear...feel free to gush anytime ;) What can I say, it's all metaphor in this one...it's funny how the pieces closest to my heart always seem to go that way...I'm glad that you like this piece, it comes from a deep place, and was inspired by a friend of mine that you know very well...we're feeling the same things right now...

Oh, when you say dude, is that good or bad? ;P xoxo

[KAOlmsted]

"Dude" is always...always...always good ;-) It is on par with "holy cats"...if you get "holy cats, dude", which I am almost positive you have, that is the holy grail xD

It was the salmon mousse...

oops ;-)

xoxo

[kublakhan27]

Haha okay just checking...I did get the holy cats one thogh ;) xoxo

[KAOlmsted]

;-) Hope you had a great weekend. I got sunburned :-( But it was a great day at the beach!

[kublakhan27]

Haha Did you get any looks? ;) I'd take a sunburn right now in exchange for the weather we got...we're still probably two or three weeks from beach weather...I had a rare "very good" weekend, saw Les Miserables on stage Saturday, what an experience :)

[KAOlmsted]

Sounds amazing...and, haha, yeah, I always get looks *exaggerated wink wink* xD Although, I admit, I didn't wear my hoochie mama bathing suit to the beach, I have a much more "respectable" one I wear in public *laugh*

[kublakhan27]

Haha you probably got some, you just didn't notice ;D

[KAOlmsted]

That's right, I was too busy admiring my own reflection in the water to notice xD Meanwhile, I'm off...my house is in a shambles and apparently I have no maid...wtf? xoxo

[kublakhan27]

Haha you do that too? ;P I must clean my kitchen as well, I just have to pull my butt away from this page first haha Talk soon xoxo

[kublakhan27]

Pull my butt away from the site, I should say, not your page ;P

[00000000000000000000000..]

Awesome write!!!!!! a lot heart and depth in this:)))))))))))))))))))

[kublakhan27]

Thank so much for the kind words Jonathan :)

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Your very welcome:))))))))))))))))))

[K.N. Lorenzen]

This is one of the best things i have read in here!!
I can't find the words...

K.

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much K, this is one I hold close to the heart, so glad you enjoyed it.

[K.N. Lorenzen]

You bet I did :)

[Jack...]

Very cool work my friend and a very wonderful inspiration. Sarah is very good.

I have always been fascinated by the Magpie and I just love that opening verse.

Very well written my friend.

[kublakhan27]

She is one of my favourites on the site. If you've talked to Frieda today, you may have an inkling as to why I'm featuring this one today. Needless to say, it's deeply personal so I'm happy to know that you like it. Thank you my friend.

[Androglossia]

The greatness of our knowledge or of our prevision could not alter the systematic clockwork that we live by or we are bound to live for nor could it put a stop to that infamous finale we so loathed. Until then we must put into consideration everything that made sense to us the most. Another great work from you, Steve.

[kublakhan27]

I always thought that freedom is a myth, even with the luxury of free will, and even that is hardly accessible in the best of times...it's a pretty cynical piece in that regard but I think there is an element of hope in it as well, in the sense that we're all in this together...thank you Maryanne :)

[Priscilla Sayers]

The metaphors fly with feverish brilliance...
A very intense piece that captures....

[kublakhan27]

Thank you Priscilla :) I'm glad you were able to tap into the intensity of what is a pretty personal piece...hope you're feeling well this weekend :)

[Priscilla Sayers]

getting there, Love:)

[kublakhan27]

I'm happy to hear that my friend :)

[Kenneth The Poet]

This is why I read your stuff.

[kublakhan27]

Many thanks my friend.

[kublakhan27]

I feel the lost, the richness, into your roots, dear. I liked this one, for it says much about the history, and also about "the YOU" and I placed "the" infront, because I love to speak the german term here.
You have a rich poetic soul full of feeling, and all it needs... thankies bud!

Hope you're well. I no quote a thing here, for it's all felt in my core.

- Elisa

[kublakhan27]

Thank you so much my friend :) As I was saying to Robbie, this is a personal piece and I'm rarely successful in digging this deep into myself and finding the exact words I'm looking for, so it's quite a significant piece on a lot of levels...I'm so glad this one resonated so deeply with you, thank you Eli :) xo

Yes, be well dear friend, thinking of you, I understand you... in all you said... I'm not feeling so well either... off/on, but I'm back when I feel so... love

[Robbie~xoxo~]

I never thought I could be speechless...well, you have done it!
This leaves me awestruck... loved the downward spiral of this piece... what a journey! (a mind trip at it's finest)
"We do unto flint
what fate has done unto us
sculpting its yellow mission
into little black hourglasses
strewn about our feet
like schools of lost minnows"~ My favorite stanza! :)

[kublakhan27]

Haha I feel humbled ;) I'm glad you like this one...it's a personal piece so I'm happy that the intensity came across...thanks love :)

[Robbie~xoxo~]

my pleasure... you did GF proud! ~xoxo~:)

[Donald Meikle]

This is druidic in its intensity, and yes the flames still burn in some of us.

[kublakhan27]

Glad you liked it my friend...I constantly wonder if the fires will ever subside...