Somewhere Slower

Time moves slowly but passes quickly.

Crossing over, going under, ever dear,

someplace afar, somewhere slower, somewhen

in a time, another life, crystal clear -

a further world, different, near back then.

Untarnished wings, encircling, fettered free

in the new light of a beautiful day

with blue skies and cotton clouds above me,

soft sand between tiny toes on display.

 

A stream becomes the washbowl of the sea,

the winds drifting into a sainted spray,

treading tides, skipping stones, a spinning spree -

I wish that life could always be this way.

Hopscotch, lemon drops, climbing walls of stone,

and raindrops strung on a spider-web harp.

An influx of effervescence unknown,

wildflower waters in a whirly warp.

 

Treasures in the sand buried one by one,

kneeling on mountains clinging to the sky,

unwinding strands of blonde hair come undone,

the ubiquitous sun climbing on high.

I channel the joy of happier days,

the threaded ribbons of silver and gold,

the blinding beacons of glittering rays

that the fleeting years would have us unhold.

 

A lazy drift into lethargic waves,

passing the faces and places once known,

where no flowers weep, no one yet in graves,

in the before of this life lived alone.

I might have the will, but time has its way.

A girl wanders and wonders for a spell.

A lavender tome, an indigo sway

promises more than a gypsy can tell.

 

I yearn for the silk of beauty and truth,

the passerine wishes of yesterday,

the innocent trust of a hopeful youth

that no heartache nor darkness could betray.

Light me a candle to burn ever bright

someplace slower, without envy or end,

whose spirit is free of shadow and night,

whose soul is destined to rise and transcend. 

Author's Note

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

It is unusual to find a work built around trochees but you have done so as the primary foot, yet again not be trapped by slavishly attempting to use that foot. Well done.

Winston

[emmajoygreen]

Every phrase start to finish brings a smile or a gasp.. your phrasing is near lover than poet, displaying charm and beautiful scenes. The following means more than words can show, they show heart, beautiful..

'I yearn for the silk of beauty and truth,
the passerine wishes of yesterday,
the innocent trust of a hopeful youth
that no heartache nor darkness could betray.
Light me a candle to burn ever bright
someplace slower, without envy or end,
whose spirit is free of shadow and night,
whose soul is destined to rise and transcend.'

If only..

[willweb]

Those days of youth when riding your bike was the best form of transportation, when baseball cards were 10 for a dime, when penny candy actually only cost a penny, when the beach was place of sandcastles and boardwalks, of body surfing and getting up at first light to find the best seashells. Your poem brings back so many memories to me. It is beautifully written, a soft tender tone, a dream like feeling and memories...something we will always have...hopefully. Really nice my friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Reflections into childhood when the days seemed longer and weren’t tarnished by death. Innocent days. Happier, joyful days that seem to be in a different world altogether. I wandered to the beach with my bucket and spade. Felt the sand between my toes. I thank you for that. Beautiful poetry. Always a treat to read you.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

The lost Eden hangs heavy over this one. No problems recalled, "no one yet in graves." Viewed from the vantage point of accumulated years, our childhoods can seem idyllic compared to the losses and stresses of adulthood. But even then we had our problems, minor as they might seem today. The irony is that then we couldn't wait until we grew up, when we were sure we would no longer be under someone's thumb. I think childhood is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I often want that innocence again, Linda Marie.
The pic and the poem remind me of when I was a little kid spending time at Coney Island...
the ocean...dipping my toes...the expansive beach, but always quite busy...
thanks for the flashback,
j.