Turning the Page

There is a chill to this October eve,

enveloping me like a bride’s veil,

all gossamer and silk -- white roses

blooming along hand-stitched borders.

 

These nights I hold vigil over memories,

bleached white and lifeless as glass lilies --

they no longer accept my apologies,

because eventually all things tire

of dutifully hoarded lullabies.

 

Slivers of moonlight shepherd the way,

beyond questions of tomorrow --

these precious instants -- check-marked

by the ticking of a tireless clock --

are the only threads that still anchor me

to a yesterday that is etched in stone,

 

but I must break these aged tablets:

            to turn the page and pen fresh words,

            even if they begin this ineffable journey

            as lonely dewdrops beading on virgin petals. 

Reviews

[kublakhan27]

This one reminded me of Frost At Midnight by Coleridge. But this is definitely Sarah all the way. Nobody writes like you do. Amazing.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much...I wrote me thesis on Coleridge :) Perhaps a bit of him rubbed off on me :) Humbled...thank you!

[kublakhan27]

Oh, I don't think you told me that before. He's one of my favourites :) Always a pleasure Sarah.

[Jack...]

If you only knew...

"because eventually all things tire
of dutifully hoarded lullabies."

Exactly

Thank you Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank YOU, Jack :)

[gabrielle]

Starting a new journey is unnerving and scary but if we keep on flipping the pages of yesterday, we will never be able to move forward. This is how the poem spoke to me, GF. I so love how you painted in words the feeling of starting a journey.

[Antonio Valentino]

holy moly, i think this is my favorite of yours so far..

this is just such quality writing, i am thoroughly impressed

i love every word of it, but the ending does tie it all together so very well

such a sadness in this one for me.. but mixed with, that will to move on..

that old friend hope always there when we need it.. just over the horizon, waiting for us, to climb over the next bluff

the only thing this piece is missing.. is a nail on a wall to hang the frame holding it

superb

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You humble me...thank you so much!

[Frieda P]

Change and moving forward can be hard, especially when leaving precious moments behind us...

are the only threads that still anchor me
to a yesterday that is etched in stone,

I like the brides's veil reference, I'm wondering if there's any truth to that one Friday. Stunning as always my talented friend.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Very difficult... As for truth...there is always truth to what I write, my friend. :)

[Astro]

This piece makes me think of Weezer's 'The Sweater Song'
"If you want to destroy my sweater. Woah woah a woah.
{Hold/Pull} this thread as I walk away. As I walk away!
Watch me unravel, I'll soon be naked.
Lying on the floor, Lying on the floor! I've come undone. "

Why? Because like a sweater that I own still to this day although it no longer fits, I feel that last remaining image, or thought that in this poem you find it so hard to let go of. Especially when certain things that you see/hear/do remind you heavily of what once was so solid and promising. Like 'The Sweater Song' though, at one point you will be free, naked, exposed like 'virgin petals'. Let the 'dewdrops' fall let them be absorbed into that flower and strengthen it, so that it may bask in the sunshine of a new day, where promise can always be found.

This poem is a crystalline view into a facet of human emotion a talent exhibited time and time again by Sarah S. Williams and will be loved by her fans(me included) and have the newly initiated coming back for more.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I love the Sweater Song...haha...great analogy!

[Clara]

Beautiful imagery here, Sarah. It gave me tingles down my spine.
I love the way you describe things; vivid, creative and always spectacular.

'These nights I hold vigil over memories,
bleached white and lifeless as glass lilies --
they no longer accept my apologies,
because eventually all things tire
of dutifully hoarded lullabies.'

Just brilliant. I feel so privileged to read your work.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You humble me, Lola...your work is amazing as well!

[Rita L. Sev]

enveloping me like a bride’s veil,
all gossamer and silk -

Those veiled memories are the hardest to grasp... best to march onward, shepherded by moonlight...

You always paint the loveliest images that stay with me long after reading, Sarah. Beautiful.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Rita...it means a lot when you enjoy my work!

[Ed Hart]

you knock a lot of 'em out of the park...this is a home run for sure...'etched in stone"?

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Well, etched somewhere...I don't think it's good enough to be written in stone, but paper, perhaps... Thank you, Ed!

[s y e]

"to turn the page and pen fresh words,
even if they begin this ineffable journey"

This is a beautiful write..... I loved it, the imagery is so vivid and wording so amazing that you had me hooked as always.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Noodle!