no illusions

image courtesy of pinterest

no illusions

            this is life

a fading hopscotch board

the numbers may not be legible

but you can trust in the pure inevitability of it all

innocence and beauty fade with age

while delirium rides a satyr to the sidelines

then stands there snickering

 

 

no illusions

            they’ve been erased

still a new day cannot be born

without the death of a starry night

so i continue to follow my path

hoping nirvana lies just past

the cracks in the sidewalk

(the ones that never broke

 my mother’s back)

ever believing i can make it past

my expiration date

 

 

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

the dark and cynical beginning surprised me Lydia .. and hopelessness hiding there in the wings .. though your closing doesn't offer saving of myself .. there is hope there ... just a wee "crack" of hope to help me deal with me own "expiration date" ...lots of meat in this on ... the children's games you mention allows a modicum of innocence in an otherwise dismal glimpse forward for the aged :(( powerful write say i!
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

Unfortunately, my friend, I have lost all too many close friends and most of my family. I have seen what happens to the frail and elderly and the cynicism springs forth from that segment of my life. There is always a ray of light there...always. I so appreciate your words. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

Big blessing on you and yours my friend ... the day is dawning ... ;)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydia.... promises are like the flower
Prairie smoke... fragile as the gentle rain...
hopscotching through life with dreams of
destinations to be discovered. Beautiful poetry. truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, dear Pat. Lydi**

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It's funny. When we're young and our legs are smaller, we have to take three times as many steps to get to the same destination as an adult. As an adult, we take fewer steps but always feel like the destination is just out of reach. The things of this world fade - beauty, youth, and innocence - but we are left with something more profound - wisdom, knowing, and the inevitability of what lies over the horizon. It's futile to think we can stop it so we accept it and carry on. Whatever will will come our way, and we will embrace it as it comes. This is beautifully sad.

[Lydia Shutter]

Your review is poetry too! Thanks, Linda. Lydi**

[R.M.C]

A lovely poem. Your metaphors and the overall way in which you so easily express your thoughts is a wonder to read. Always a pleasure to see in what ways you are gonna paint a picture becasue it is never simple but more of a intricate word game that reveals an overall thought or feeling along the way. Great write.

[Lydia Shutter]

I so appreciate your review! Thank you, R.M.C. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

I must admit, hopscotch was my favorite to play as a child. I would always use my grandmothers hairpins for a marker, or a bottle cap. And I was always unyielding not to step on those cracks in the sidewalk, the ones where nirvana laid just past...what an extraordinary line, Lydi! ...and poem!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Kelly. Knew you would remember hopscotch and the cracks in the sidewalk! Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

Now you have shown me that there can be beautiful pessimism.

[Lydia Shutter]

Not so much pessimism as realism. Thanks, Ken. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ah but I cling to my delusion that I an still a twenty-one year old! 9The gym helps!). Nice reflective piece with a tinge of sadness and yet stubbornness in its echo.

[Lydia Shutter]

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"nirvana lies just past the cracks in the sidewalk"
i am so reminded of NY...and the last two lines...fabulous...this is one of my very favorites from you...
nostalgia, with a slight bit of cynicism, but also hope that the next sidewalk in the sky, will have clear numbers and a path of contentment.

[Lydia Shutter]

This review means a lot to me, Jacob. I value your opinion. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Very philosophical and thought provoking. If we embrace life without any illusions, we can have a clear path, a believing awakening and an endless continuum...Marvels...:)..............

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Sami. I always appreciate your kind reviews. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome. ...:::::::)))))))