The Ways

I've seen what empty space could do,

the way it creeps from every direction

to diminish everything in its grasp,

existing as my only friend

while my world collapses in

on itself,

not with a bang,

not with a whimper,

just: silence.

I've seen what distance could do,

the way stars twinkle excessively

in the cold expanse of a darkness

that consumes,

threatens to inhale me,

to toss me amid the nothingness like dust

swimming to stars that have died ages ago,

but alas,

the light years are a painfully

long way to exchange love letters.

I've seen what storms could do,

the way they shred asunder

homes like human skin

until they vanish into the empty air,

leaving me to watch as the girl I love

sheds tears more dreadful

than the rain of the storm,

while all I can do

is blink.

And I've seen what fear can do,

the way trepidation claws at intellectuals

like a cat pursuing a mouse,

but fear is the one thing

I acknowledge no longer:

for I've seen far too much terror

that it's become commonplace,

for what is there to fear

when death has no swing

and life has lost its touch?

Author's Note

Photo courtesy of dirtydeadrttn of Deviant Art (click the link for more stunning pieces!)

Reviews

[New Theory]

Sweet poem about the sadness in loneliness when someone leaves you and how it affects both in the relation.

[Tai Ryens]

A romantic! This was indeed the concept that conceived this poem, aha, thank you, Theory.

[New Theory]

As a hopeless romantic, I would like to say every word in your poem touched the chords of my heart which I admittedly want to bury inside. Its too much a pain ... love broken just dont heal.

You are welcome :)

[Ghost of Jupiter]

Every time i visit your work i find myself overwhelmed with awe by your penetrating words. This is so brilliantly wistful, yet beautiful.

"I've seen what distance could do,
the way stars twinkle excessively
in the cold expanse of a darkness
that consumes,
threatens to inhale me,
to toss me amid the nothingness like dust
swimming to stars that have died ages ago,
but alas,
the light years are a painfully
long way to exchange love letters."

absolutely gorgeous words.... wonderful work

[Tai Ryens]

Always touched by your reviews, K, thanks.

[Ghost of Jupiter]

you are welcome, i do enjoy your writing, :)

[paul sal.....]

The only space around you is filled with your clever heart and mind,....There is a bright side although you seem to dwell on the dark side, last time I checked , the the sun still shines, so why not risk a few steps out of the shadows.......

[Tai Ryens]

You flatter me, really, thank you, p.

[B.J]

Brilliant, the feeling of life and all it's reality. Experience of life in words are magic well done

[Tai Ryens]

Ah, thank you for your thoughts.

[B.J]

your welcome

[Riley Bray]

I've gotten into the habit of adding "highlights" to my reviews, meaning picking out some lines or stanza fragments that really stood out to me. Sadly, however, I am unable to do that with this poem as I would have to copy and paste the poem in its entirety. It truly captures our humanity, (as many of your poems do). Magnificent Tai, I loved it. :)

[Tai Ryens]

I'm flattered, wow. Thank you, Riley, it means a lot.

[Anita Singh]

Sheer brilliance. Loved your outlook on things. Sometimes it is not in our hands to control things.

[Tai Ryens]

Thank you, annabella.

[Bluefire]

Life can be harsh but your poem is beautiful in a way. Very sad and true though.
"to toss me amid the nothingness like dust
swimming to stars that have died ages ago,"
Thanks for sharing. ^^

[Tai Ryens]

Ahh, I thank you kindly for your thoughts, Blue.

[Bluefire]

No problem. ^^

[paul sal.....]

Plant a flower to fill the emptiness , build a bridge to shorten the distance, get a good umbrella, don't be afraid but be leery and respect the unknown or... get a space ship and point it towards the center of the universe, I'd choose the latter...

[Tai Ryens]

You think so brightly; you intrigue me. Thanks muchly for your thoughts, p Salinger!

[paul sal.....]

I dare say you are the sun that brightens the day, even the moon envies you, I am but a peasant, bidding you, adieu.

[stars are far]

that was a very good piece..well done :)

[Tai Ryens]

Thank you!

[Pax]

Space and distance
Nothing and Silence
Storm and Fear

All that can incorporate to loneliness and emptiness that are felt of each one of us due to some many factors in human life. It is normal to feel this way, experience does that to us.

The first verse, emptiness – it is indeed just around the corner. Many things can trigger its factor to come near our hearts and feed on it until the building blocks of your being slowly will crumble. But it is not always the case, emptiness creates silence, but it also gives room for answers.

The second verse, gives me the impression of a long distance relationship. They say for a distant relationship to survive, constant communication is required. The survey shows that distance creates many barriers of lies and emptiness that is why a friend of mine is unfaithful. But really it really depends on the person itself. Love surpasses distances they say.

The third verse, reminds me on how the strong storm destroys our hometown back then in 2011. The storm gives me the impression that mother nature doesn’t sit around and let us human creates many mistakes on destroying her children. In just overnight, mother nature’s wrath can wipe out an entire town.

The fourth verse, fear is fear itself, that’s what I think about it. They say that fear is a choice, like everything else is a choice. So I guess if we choose not to fear something, then this kind of feeling will not get to us as if we built a barrier for us to stand up against it.

A very good piece Tai my friend…

[Tai Ryens]

Perhaps fear is not a choice, per se, but we are able to condition ourselves to lose a particular fear?
I'm astounded by your review, much thanks, Pax. Always glad to see your thoughts, as they're all so very intriguing.

[Pax]

you are welcome Tai my friend...
maybe i can rephrase what i said on fear, you can avoid fear by choice... to surpass it is by accepting it and embracing it...