"A Quarter After A Life's-Time..."

Listening to echoes today

“A Quarter After A Life’s-Time…”

 

Sometimes the wind

flows across my face

and I CAN feeeeel it...

breathe WITH it...

taste being alive

...again.

 

And sometimes I know

I cried

because the chill

as the burning tears are wicked from my cheeks

- coats my thoughts in ice.

 

And sometimes I reach

to touch ...anyone at all...

because the silence is too loud

and empty is more than

…well, a state of mind.

 

“I caress the thorns -

so softly,

ever so gently…

with full intent of what dreams are meant to be.”

Because roses aren’t mine

wasn’t and won’t…

 

And I knew it - know it -

everyday in every way

with every word that can’t be forgotten

- just forgiven,

unheard you thought? - riiiight… overlooked

by the under-looked.

Each glance, shaken heads,

laughter for the poor fool

that knows …KNOWS…

what tomorrow was, is, and will be.

 

And me …I’ve listened to your silence -

Yes - YOUR’S…

with my Cheshire’s eyes…

 

Held OUR unspoken words so close and tight

while my fingertips bled

‘til the dripping, silken-red tears

cascaded through your thoughts

then falling - falling - stained sooo many.

…unending pages…

 

My eyes live a thousand-year stare.

 

It’s 92 (F) in the shade

(33.3C to those so inclined) -

and the sweat masks my face

as more and more thoughts

float and flow.

And the clouds…

the clouds -

dark edges roiling, bleak black Horizons.

Churning…yearning…

 

Whispers…whispers…

 

The clouds promise - such a sweet promise

of mind-chilling pause

as Shadow roams free across the world

and footsteps echo against my soul.

 

I miss…

I want…

I wish…

I… sigh…

Am here

…still.

 

Chris

 

 

Author's Note

Feel Free

Reviews

[J. J. Nightingale]

It's raining here ..
Usually feed the evening birds, but that
is now impossible..

I hope they know I love them..
And wait for their return.

Please forgive my babble, Chris ..
You are such a special Soul
I could listen, forever ..
I miss you when you are away
but always smile
when you return..

Thank You for giving of yourself..to us..
again.

It means so much


Just a thought away ..Jazzy.. ♥

[emmajoy]

'And sometimes I reach
to touch ...anyone at all...
because the silence is too loud
and empty is more than
…well, a state of mind.'

Perhaps quite a few of us do that.. but can't voice it as purely as you can.

From far, far over here i read your words, feel your thoughts and want to hug the sadness that runs like a stream start to finish. In all the years i've read your poetry.. you've moved life around, created corners of it i've never known nor ever will, Chris. You so rarely post these days, but oh my, when you do.. you touch heart and mind and leave gentle prints behind.

[alanwgraham]

Lots of clever interpersonal observation in your ambitious poem with some great images. It's a bit formless but that's not bad and suits your stream of consciousness approach.
I don't get it all but I'm not too got at interpreting this.
Well done,
Alan

[Richard🖌]

Memories,
Ever the irresistibly persistent voice of the deepest emotions, feelings, and soul-shaping pasts that seem as though they'll never relinquish their hold over our dreams … even those that portend a more luring future.
Some say that Free Verse is the most powerful of all ways to express emotion … and, in reading this, how could I possibly disagree or fail to relate(?).

Spoken with sheer, vivid poetic voice … thank you, my fine poet friend! ⁓ Richard : )

[Chris]

Life gives us Voice, our minds provide the form...
I'm glad you came by and paused with me...thanks man.

[Richard🖌]

You made it a true pleasure, Chris.

[Carol Cashes]

"unheard you thought? - riiiight… overlooked
by the under-looked." Perfect. I loved "listened with my Cheshire eyes". The Cheshire's smile is usually all one remembers from that tale, but, you brought our attention to his eyes...very interesting concept.

[Chris]

eyes seldom miss what words try to hide...

[Carol Cashes]

If they would but see, brother, if they would but see...there's a lot of truth in the phrase "turning a blind eye". It's not always about unpleasant sights, but anything that might upset their mental staus quo.

[Chris]

people make their choices...we just live them

[Katerina Grev]

Very well written. I especially like the line "Because roses aren't mine" I just really connected with that line even if it has a different meaning. It really shows what a great writer you are, I love being able to connect with something even if it has a different original meaning. Great job.

[Chris]

what makes you think your meaning wasn't mine or perhaps even ONE of mine... and I'm glad you paused and saw worth in my thoughts...

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

There are so many layers of thoughts and ideas in this poem that they go deeper than a wishing well could hold.

[Chris]

What's a man supposed to say to THAT? nearly ANYTHING would be pretentious! Been awhile - how you holding up to the time flow?

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

I am holding on with a solid grip. I hope things are well with you.

[Chris]

When would complaining ever do any good...you ROLL with it and DEAL... chuckling here

[Ken Simm.]

you are a true voice crying alone in the hot wind Chris.
This conjours so many visuals in my mind.

[Chris]

We live within our echoes... and the world swirls along.

[Alfred Kukitz]

In true brilliant tradition your poetic verse coddles my soul. I find your silence like a pillow on an ocean's roar!

Missed you guy!

Regards,
Al

[Paul Bell]

Glad i came across this. Special words deserve high praise. Though probably not needed.
Like words that flow, and carry the story with it.
Love the longing in this, even if the boat has sailed.

[Chris]

Good of you to pause and leave your thoughts behind... appreciated.