Syntality And Mortality

Do not dissect a man till he is dead. - Thoreau

i toss twelve stones into the river

myself being the last

they all sink to the bottom except for me

i'm floating

passing by fleeting, meandering, untold wealth

mansions and money

droning bees and sweet honey

christmas geese and the easter bunny

skies that are always sunny

along with all of the things that laughter thinks are funny

nothing makes a sound

i'm wearing faith's tattered, torn and patched wedding gown

along with all the things that dragging the bottom found

please, i do not wish to confound or dumbfound

pardon me while i expound

as i bring matters of life and death to the foreground

because what goes around comes around

as i ponder where the current may take me

and how a smile morphs into a frown

eleven vain, lusterless stones adorning my rusty crown

despite the fact that i'm floating upside down

Author's Note

"Consider what a difference there is between living and dying. To die is not to begin to die, and continue; it is not a state of continuance, but of transientness; but to life is a condition of continuance, and does not mean to be born merely." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

how i detest conformity, and appreciate the freedom of being alone, and lust for the absolute freedom granted to one at death. yet your writing gives me one reason to want to live. art, literature and beauty of all froms keeps my sanity from crumbling completely.

[Pete]

society breeds conformity. i have much respect for those with the will and courage to go their own way.

[Betty Hermelee]

A floating stone is freedom, just like a person floating in the sea or river....not a thing to worry about, only imagining what will...a path to nowhere...yet those who sink to the bottom are looking at death..you show us the freedom that life can bring and also the end of life, perhaps peaceful....and then a new life blossoms..."what goes around comes around"...a season of life's cycle...I love the metaphor....
Warmly, B

[Pete]

great interpretation. i don't think you missed a thing. thanks for the astute review and for "getting it" b.

[Betty Hermelee]

You are very welcome, loved the poem!!!
Warmly, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pete... treasures sleep in the deep recesses of our mind. When we Die we transcend to a place of Peace and Love where we can encourage others we knew on Earth to cherish the Time we lived in storms and quiet times. Amen... Pat

[Pete]

... and for eternity to boot! thanks for sharing hopeful, comforting thoughts pat.

[GlendaK]

Ah, but dying is a continuance re eternal life! Hold on. Let me look up transientness...Yes, I kinda knew what transient meant. "Not permanent."
I totally agree! To the Christian, which I am, death means the beginning of life, really.
So, to me, I look forward to the "end" because it means I am just "beginning"! Hallelujah!
Thank you for that, Pete (:

[Pete]

yes, as paul wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

and john, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

thank you for sharing thoughts GlenadaK.

[GlendaK]

Oh! I love it so much! I can tell you did not copy-paste but wrote it by memory! Bless you, Pete (:

[Pete]

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

[GlendaK]

Wow........

[Sami Khalil]

Very pertinent questions by the poet about life, its currents, directions we take, decisions on how to live; some drown, some float. Some go with the flow, others go against it.
Continue writing sir, we'll continue living.
Excellent!

[Pete]

seems you gleaned it all. thanks for sharing the astute thoughts. i proudly dub thee sir sami.

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe. You are welcome sir Pete.

[Thomas W Case]

Wow. Great work Pete. This feels timeless.

[Pete]

thanks twc. rock on brother ...