Fearlessly

Come on, my friend, embrace life's pain,
the heartbreaks, and your death to come.
Don't drench yourself in worry's rain
and drag through soggy days, so glum.
Go slam your dreams upon that drum
that rages in your chest so sure
as breaths you seize approach their sum
and fearless thoughts are all that's pure.

There's comfort in the wallowing
and moaning when life's oh so tough,
but poison's all you're swallowing
and tainted confidences bluff.
Don't fantasize that hope's enough.
Break free. The action is the cure.
Be willful and grind smooth those rough
and fearful thoughts. And, bleed them pure.

The world's a blaze and you a spark,
a flame, soon smoke and blown out ash;
so burn on 'til your skies are dark
and strangle time 'til moments flash.
And, on that final breeze, you thrash,
through whipping winds you won't endure,
let all the gods proclaim you brash
and fearless and a life so pure.

Author's Note

Please let me know what you think.

Reviews

[JE Falcon]

This is a wonderfully powerful read, and again, it seems that "you saved the best for last". --- "And, on that final breeze, you thrash,
through whipping winds you won't endure,
let all the gods proclaim you brash
and fearless and a life so pure." --- Well done.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, JE! :)

[Robert Haigh]

Shades of Dylan Thomas in this piece. Nicely composed, and a good message to boot! As you get older (like me) you take each day as it comes anyway, and accept it as a gift!

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Robert! :)

[W. Barrett Munn]

I especially like the metaphor “be willful and grind smooth those rough and fearful thoughts. And bleed them pure.
Good stuff.
W.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, W! :)

[M. J. Smith]

"Do not go quietly into that good night..." Dylan Thomas would love this. Same defiant rage. Well written. I feel your passion.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading! :)

[L.E.Osborne]

This is fantastic! It's so hopeful and so wonderfully written, I love every line! x

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, L! :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Mattavelli… amazing poetry.
At 81 years, I have just begun to be a
Drummer with hummingbirds… so busy sipping Nectar and dancing with the flowers.
tenderly, Pat

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Patricia! :)
Last week I watched a documentary about hummingbirds on PBS. They are amazing creatures.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Very moving poem, Matt. The last line especially really spoke to me. Very relatable now that I'm up there in years. You have a very strong writing style that elicits emotion from your readers. I always find that quality of writing important. It demands of the reader and challenges them. Wonderful work my friend.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading and compliments, Carlos! :)

[Betty Hermelee]

First of all I love the structure of this poem, the strong and soft word you choose to express your theme; Everyone suffers with sorts of pain at one time or another; I think what you're saying, work through this pain with action, what ever that may be; don't think that hope alone will solve your problems; you must go through hell and high water to cleanse and purify oneself. Don't ever give up. I thin the poem is extraordinary and upbeat. ..and I love your photo; are you talking to him?
Best, B.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Betty! :)
Yes, the photo is my son. He's all I care about. Haha

[Richard🖌]

Great lessons scribed for your boy, Matt ✍

One day, he'll pick up your book (dedicated to him, of course) and read this, marveling at his dad's poetical skill and keen wisdom.
With your hallmark rhythmic flow and spot-on rhymes, the a-b-a-b-b-c-b-cR scheme with the "pure" refrain (sans an envoi) is might-near a Ballade, and with a smidgeon of effort could easily be.
Still, one would be hard pressed to find issues to be critical of in this excellently rendered piece from your own heart and life's experiences to your beautiful son (love his handsome pic). 😊

Your writing's always a nice pleasure to enjoy … thank you sincerely for sharing! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading and the compliments, Richard! :)
This one has a lot more rhyming sounds than a ballade, so a smidgeon of effort would be a rewrite. Haha

[Richard🖌]

Yeah,
You're right … now, that I look closer, V2 and 3 have a different rhyme scheme that V1.

Mea culpa

[Foxemerald]

Great meter! I love the optimism and positive message this poem has!

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading! :)