Passing

On death and revival and the changes in perspective

Passing

If I stand very still,

I can feel the earth spinning…

ever so slightly.

On the crest of this hill,

I feel the sunlight skimming…

My right cheek lightly;

It warms the spring chill,

in a promised beginning,

from the cold still inside me.

To silence the shrill,

from the stark reminiscing

from the death they revived me.

And the days will blaze

Till the crimson displays

Of the suns final rays

Will once again fade 

to evenings shade!

I stretch out my face

To drink its last grace

and stave the malaise

Of winters decay

in the motions allay

of the seasons cascade

And, if I stand very still,

I can feel the earth spinning…

ever so slightly.

© 2022 Robert Trakofler

Author's Note

Robert · Passing

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'Passing'
Robert Trakofler,
Grace or thankfulness, maybe both?
It's message revealed.
Maybe I needed to receive it's message.
Was that you the writer's intent?
When as children mortality, our own
hardly known.
I read it that way for myself for the
brittle reality of what comes to close.
Thank you for revealing what becomes
real to us over time.
Thank you again for honesty.
Kathy

[Robert Trakofler]

Yesterday I walked around the corner from my store to sit on the stoop that leads to the offices above us. In a matter of seconds as I sat down to take a break from the Sunday brunch chaos... it began to rain very heavily and suddenly thousands of little BB-sized pellets started bouncing off the ground as the rain became mixed with hail stones. My mind started to wander thinking about how beautiful it looked and like the weirdo that I am I outwardly said thank you for all of the beauty and seconds later a big roar of thunder bellowed from above and then I chuckled thank you for the ugly and a few seconds later I said sometimes I can't tell them apart. It's funny that you came across this poem and such a similar thing happened to me again:)

[keith]

interestingly enough i too find myself knowing the movement of this planet.
at one time i had a piece of raw marble that was slightly larger than my skateboard
i had laid it in the pathway to my studio and would most often 'ride' the rotation
i could face east riding the coming crest or using westward stance to surf the continued wave of forward motion
just a silly notion i had but it served as moments concentrating upon balance and tuning myself into myself
worked for me ... thanks for reminding me
i enjoyed the read and the spoken word as well

[Red Brick Keshner]

It's often the stillness... and it's always the earth spinning which at other times we are quite unaware of. Loved that the poem began and ended with those bookend lines. Much enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.

[Casey Truax]

The anapests and shifting meter really make a sense of movement.

[Robert Trakofler]

that is precisely what I was hoping for:)

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, so good to come across this little gem. So very nicely penned. I am liking the subtle rhyme and the flow of your well crafted lines.

From death they revived me

Now that is a near miss and worth remembering, that each new day is a gift.

Look after yourself my friend.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Chris:) It is a strange perspective to have that's for sure lol

[Chris Shaw]

Good to see you. Take it easy Bunny and keep well :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Loved this
Such rhythm in the lines
No gaps no spaces
Gave it great movement

[Robert Trakofler]

thanks Julie:) I'm slowly getting my rhythm back:)

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Oh where did it go
Glad it’s back
Take care

[Temperance]

My, oh my, beautifully written. This is the first piece I've read of yours and, I'm truly liking what I read. Your phraseology and gentle rhyme are wonderfully crafted. I am impressed! Thank you for sharing. Temp

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you so much for the wonderful compliments:) I like your moniker I cant help but wonder what made you choose this name now:)

[Temperance]

You mean Temperance?

[Robert Trakofler]

yes yes yes

[Temperance]

It just came to me. Then, I thought that I could use some self restraint. 😂😂

[Dave Brown]

Very nicely done
ain't life grand

[Robert Trakofler]

and strange:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Brother bunny...something I have been thinking of in recent days...the idea of how good it is to be alive...

I have lost several friends younger than I or the same age. It is good to still be breathing.
Now, the rhyme scheme is so wonderfully subtle in this...and the phrasing is exquisite.
"stave the malaise/ of winter's decay" love it.

great poem, my friend...you are still jamming.

j.

[Robert Trakofler]

thanks my self editor has been giving me fits lately in my trying to get back into the swing of things

[John the Baptist]

Nice to hear from you again, Bunny. You have really been through the wringer, and the sense of joy at being alive permeates this offering. Great rhyming and imagery. Your winter is over and the warmth of spring is here.

[William Michael Reeves]

Sometimes I get vertigo when I sense how fast we are spinning by watching the moon pass behind a tree. Your line 'in a promised beginning, from the cold still inside me' has my poetic mind in a flutter. Life, the promised beginning, yet death also promised resides within us. Excellent stuff Robert!