(Not So Rude) Awakening

"To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?" - Thoreau

Each morning I wake.

The new day mine for the take.

In lack of conviction, I wait for chance to apprehend it for me.

But 'tis in old, cheerful faith that I'm reminded to see.

With all of its glee.

"Carpe diem" is an honest creed.

Offering all that some need.

I sing even as I shave.

For I've conquered the grave.

We need only be at the line when the starter's pistol fires.

As the blessed almighty recruits and hires.

Just keep a song in your heart.

Play the ebullient, elusive part.

Ground must be fertile and tilled in order to grow.

For there is an easier toil to reap what we sow.

The greatest gift is love.

Born of a white dove.

Even the clouds part for their master.

Rolling ever-faster.

You can dance in Hell if your soul is strong.

You'll never go wrong.

As the tenuous road rolls along ...

Author's Note

“The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour. Then there is least somnolence in us; and for an hour, at least, some part of us awakes which slumbers all the rest of the day and night... All memorable events, I should say, transpire in morning time and in a morning atmosphere. The Vedas say, “All intelligences awake with the morning.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I can feel the awakening in your poem, which shows up as starting with slow deliberate lines, then seeming to rachet up to a more enthusiastic attack on the day toward the end. This -- "I wait for chance to apprehend it for me" -- is a fresh brilliant way to say that. And this -- "I sing even as I shave. For I've conquered the grave" -- is the poster child for SHOW instead of tell about how this guy feels! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

you're really something else. astute reading and interpreting between the lines is a skill - all your years of technical writing perhaps? you point out things in review that i don't even see or admit. Lol, you know more about me from my writing than i do ... :)

[barleygirl]

Thank you . . . the last boss I worked for, he would have me interview people, even tho I was not in a hiring position, becuz he felt I could read people well & he wanted to know what I thought of those he was considering hiring . . .

[Kelly Scheppers]

There is usually a synopsis of life entwined within your lines. I am amazed at how you draw me in, and make me wonder...how deep it goes.

[Pete]

when you've got it all figured out, clue me in Kelly! i can write about it, just can't do it. story of my life - too much thinking and not enough doing. afraid of doubling down or making a mistake ... :)