Shattered

I dropped the mirror and shattered my dreams.

The stars fell into a river of stone.

The wet grass glistened in fractured moonbeams

in evergreen groves that gathered alone.

The silence anchored in shadow and tear.

Layers of longing flaked off the pine

like breathless words whispered into my ear

or summer breeze blowing clothes on the line.

A sweet ache echoed, unfolded on wing,

summoned my soul with a secret to tell,

and bid me to let my captive heart sing

beyond the gardens of heaven and hell.

A blue mist spilling my senses to steal

shrouded the mountain like a turban twist

or a veil which beckoned with great appeal

on the face of a bride as yet unkissed.

There is space that nothing can ever fill,

a yearning so deeply grafted to bone.

Dead petals may fall and teardrops distill.

I might feel lonely but never alone.

For all of the past, I can say I tried.

The old love letters are gathering dust;

and a poet’s nib spills into the tide

as eyes grow dim and are consumed with rust.

Farewell to the shadow that never parts,

to the half-blown promise to never be,

to the flame that burns within tender hearts

whose ashes are scattered in memory.

The whirlwind its whispers will never cease.

A love its sorrows will forever be,

and a sigh will always seek sweet release

and lamentations find comfort at sea.

Author's Note

Reviews

[barleygirl]

As always for your poetry, strong rhyme, rhythm, storyline, imagery, everything! You express your imagery in highly original ways with lots of nature influences, which I always enjoy. Becuz of striking opening line (dropped mirror = shattered dreams) I start with an idea of how dreams are often based in ego-want, so translate as self-absorption (as many people/friends/lovers can be). If the mirror shatters (altho it seems bad at first) we lose the self-absorption aspect of dreaming & we can be freed to discover dreams that are NOT based on ego. Your words are very thought-provoking & I'm sure there could be many other profound threads here (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Christy the Poetic Hear..]

Amazing piece of work!! Even through the first words this poem has kidnapped my attention. It looks like you're not writing only but you're also living poetry. Wonderful writing💫🏅🌟⭐🌟

[00000000000000000000000..]

Wow, such depth within this garden I so came to find!!!!! I try to picture the still voice in a writer and where they would happen to be in the words. I see a lady writing surrounded by roses sitting before a bench. A warm summers eve air to a touch of right. This was very beautiful and it was an honor to have read. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful write:)

[Thepensiveplayer]

Your writing is very breathtaking to read and I enjoyed this poem.

"Like a breeze"
"Your mind can go further than the eye sees"
"Your freedom to express"
"Tells me about the history you possess"
"So, let me read more about who you are"
"While I watch your progress from afar"

Keep up the work.

[George Coombs]

A beautifully crafted piece of writing that shares so clearly the experience of the broken mirror. Skilled and sensitive, excellent work

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Your use of rhyme is excellent and effective and doesn't seem forced at all. It takes a lot of raw talent and hard work at the craft to accomplish that. I am genuinely impressed.

[Mark Mendoza]

The personification use is fantastic. Natures place in the world is very reflective of all life's endeavours. Thanks for sharing

[Poetic Beauty]

Upon reading the ending it makes me think of a lovers ashes scattered at sea.

This whole poems feel as if love was taken away too soon leaving a breaken heart and tattered dreams.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Poetic Beauty.

[Poetic Beauty]

You are welcome.

[Einstein Noodle]

deeply emotive for me ..wonderful imaging and use of language ..a must read slow and then read again poem .....the theme is fantastic as our broken heart poems don't usually include that built in longing we can't shake and just refuses to go out ... except in the worst of cases ... i especially find this line endearing and packed with sparked memories for me ..it is so lovely and lends that bit of hope that does survive our broken dreams:
"or summer breeze blowing clothes on the line." i can't help but take hope in that ;)
i kind of relate this to a Native American's Death song ... the maturity in acceptance of life and death dissipates fear and anxiety ...this and so much more is reflected in your broken mirror ..sad yet resilient ..enjoyed the language, form and theme thoroughly ..not even a tweek of ...mmmmm maybe change this or that ..a keeper says i!
E.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you for the enlightening review. The line that you pinpointed is of particular interest. It takes me back to my childhood when we used to hang the wash out on the line. There was nothing better than the smell of fresh linens off the line. I appreciate the reference to a Native American death song as well albeit I have no point of reference for it. Being part Native American myself, I should know more, truly. Thank you again.

Linda Marie

[Einstein Noodle]

we have an operational clothes line out back ...which my Norma will use at every chance .. she makes me smell the sheets when she brings them in :))) how interesting you share a Native American Heritage ... lots of rich "stuff' there says i!

[emmajoy]

' Farewell to the shadow that never parts,
to the half-blown promise to never be,
to the flame that burns within tender hearts
whose ashes are scattered in memory.'

Have yet to learn how you place emotions in such fine meter yet - still touch to the core! Your poem swirls in tears, a moody sadness both visual and touchable. This comes under my all-encompassing title of Beautiful Sadness.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Hello, Emma. What a lovely review; and yes, I love that all-encompassing Beautiful Sadness. It resonates like a river of tears flooding the heart. Hope you are well.

Love,

Linda Marie

[emmajoy]

Life's not too bad, thank you very much. Love to you too and of course, your 4th July world.