Awakened 5.13.20

I watched the sunrise on a beach
Some days it was by myself in the quiet of the morning
Some with friends or family by my side
I drove into the night with nothing but her and the music
It was all I wanted in that moment
I was surrounded by the stillness of the deep woods
I was awakened
I paddled through the bay in a familiar place
I know it so well from the summers of days gone by
I long for it now
Time stopped there
I am drawn to the beach town for that reason
Some of my best memories were made on that still island
I waded in the clear water near the Atlantic Ocean with my brothers
I slept under a sky lit up with constellations
I let moments pass unknowingly
I hope that I can be in that time again
I wandered into the dawn as a few stars remained
I spent many hours in good company
I have been in the presence of greatness
I am grateful that I was a part of those weddings
Debauchery and unforgettable memories were made
Simple words were spoken with love
I have grieved for friends for many years
I was there when my uncle took his last breath
I faced my dad’s passing as a teenager
My grandparents have gone before me
They are a part of who I am today
I sat silently looking at the early morning sky before my grandfather’s funeral
I do not remember a sky as blue
As it was on that day
Time passes unbeknownst to us
I have made peace with some of the past
That is a work in progress
There is comfort in enjoying the light in our world
Whatever form that comes in for you
Hold onto it
It will go full circle
Then the chaos will fade
I wonder who will hold me together as I shake
I let the tears fall as I remember
I remember the times we shared
Though you do not walk by my side
I will never forget our bond
I know you will reside here forever
In my life
In my heart
In my memories
Together we sang the anthem of our youth
Late nights were shared
They ended with empty bottles
We all walked into the early morning air
The world was still in a quiet slumber
Our friendships grew stronger
Even when days passed without sharing our time
That element could not change us
We have each other

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' I have made peace with some of the past
That is a work in progress
There is comfort in enjoying the light in our world
Whatever form that comes in for you
Hold onto it
It will go full circle
Then the chaos will fade
I wonder who will hold me together as I shake
I let the tears fall as I remember
I remember the times we shared
Though you do not walk by my side
I will never forget our bond
I know you will reside here forever
In my life
In my heart' Beautiful. .


Michael, this is one of the most heartrending and sincerely written poems I've read over my years in the cafe. Seems you've your words come from the deepest emotions and memories and that is what makes for truly worthy and precious writing. Yet more words to hold and feel:

' I drove into the night with nothing but her and the music
It was all I wanted in that moment
I was surrounded by the stillness of the deep woods
I was awakened
I paddled through the bay in a familiar place
I know it so well from the summers of days gone by
I long for it now
Time stopped there.. '

[barleygirl]

The thing I like best about this poem is that, for a "thought-flow" poem, it's nicely approachable & conversational. Many times these things can take a dive into stuff that can be incomprehensible to anyone except the one having the thoughts. The next thing I like most is how you don't skimp on what you have to say. I feel this tells a story as well as capturing one's thoughts. I see someone bound to the history of the moment, with little gap between now & then, memories woven into the present. All this richness makes it much more readable & relatable than many "thought-flow" poems tend to be (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Moments and events in a journey through life which have impacted significantly. Some of them I related to very well. I felt deep emotion in how these experiences were conveyed. Some experiences stay with us forever. Welcome to the cafe Michael, it was good to read you.

Chris

[Neville]

Hello & welcome to the Cafe .. this is not only a compelling tale told well but an epic introduction to your world and the way you wield words .. All Good Things sir..

Neville

[Robert Trakofler]

It is strange to be reading someone's "thought flow" poem and having some of those thought flows be intermingled with my own memories:) I knew your father and your uncle and your grandparents:) You are your father in many ways he had a very snarky and dry sense of humor and would not back down from no one... he had principles (and you have that very much in common with him!) your grandfather was the very model of earnest he worked his way up from a stock boy to the board of directors at a time when "loyalty" meant something! You too have this quality! these two commodities are rare but also misplaced in these times when loyalty and principles are almost frowned upon in society particularly in business practices:( It makes for an interesting brew as i read this and see how you are like me in this fashion of not being cut well for societal prerequisites. But then again who needs more sheep in this world we need more innovators more champions of difference! so I say write on Michael and welcome to the café if you read and write in here you will find many great writers and eventually friends that will help you on your journey of expression! Many have taught me many things and made me a better writer over the years