In the end there are no conclusions

 

for Phil and Anna

 

1

 

Sometimes we focus on what is missing,

not denying what we do have

but overpowered by the sadness of loss:

the loss of what could be.

We analyze history,

search for clues,

watersheds--

anything

that might explain today's circumstance,

today's unending blues,

anything

that might spark a transformation,

quench our thirst.

fulfil our dreams.

 

 

2

 

There is within us

something that never changes,

that part of us we can remember as a child,

pure and whole and magical.

It's a glorious realization

even though it makes no difference

to know of it or to remain ignorant.

Either way what is missing remains at large.

The sadness is still sadness.

The same with joy.

 

Sometimes we are satisfied despite what is missing.

It's more than consolation or compromise,

but our satisfaction is often fragile,

temporal,

timid. Still,

we focus on the here and now, watering seedlings

because the forest is beyond us.

 

Sometimes everything makes a difference.

Sometimes there is no difference to make.

What we hold on to and what eludes us become one.

All or nothing becomes a humorous point of view.

So we go on,

fragile,

our fear replaced

by the small smile of understanding.

 

 

3

 

Our only hope is love,

the love we have, the love that is

missing. It's

all the same thing.

Look your lover in the eye or look away.

It doesn't matter.

Clench your fist or unfold your hand.

There is no difference.

In the end

you are no different from whom you want to be.

 

In the end

there are no conclusions.

Reviews

[J. Marc]

Deep and full of hope indeed!

Your story reminds of another one I just recently read on this forum (Tears Worth Having
A Poem by Paula Blank. She is speaking about tears of joy). One can sense such a depth in your writing, the depth of someone who has lived and experienced, for, indeed, you would never have asked yourself these questions without any reasons!!!

I totally agree with you on two points: our childhood is our golden era with its powerful mental images (of joy, among other things) and sounds and this childhood is still in us for we have grown from it��and on love: the one that we remember with all its absence of limitations, all its freedom etc�.the one without which we are not totally completely human!!

Thank you very much for sharing with this forum these words of wisdom and friendship. One can but truly appreciate!!! It is sensitive, intelligent and caring: its like a very friendly embrace!

[Radhika Ghose]

"still we focus on what is missing"
I ofcourse do not knw what inspired you to write this: but this is something we see in us and around us all the time...
is it greed?? the desire to want more??
or just a flaw, which can be overcome- as you hint...
there are some lines I love simply, because you rearrange the same words to mean different things -example "Someimes everything makes a difference.Sometimes there is no difference to make" its nit just something....its a cleverly mastered technique!
Overall - FANTASTIC piece!