42 Spaces

Memories are shapes, shadows of our past

The lights growing dim

I reach for my sin

and watch while 

shadows remind, rewind.

In those places

42 spaces

I remember what I've done

blot it out with the sun.

Those shadows.

my shadows.

hold what I've done

the memories I am.

I warp them while I fight

with the memories of light

and zero then one

digital remains of my life.

Holding these places

those 42 spaces

Try to forget what I've done

shadows falling as I run.

My shadows remind me

my shadows still find me

Jumping away from my light

all my memories held there.

Now the light grows more dim

the shadows embrace me

42 spaces under the light

I give in, I remember.

Author's Note

Image: Shadow child by Princess-of-shadows
http://princess-of-shadows.deviantart.com/art/shadow-child-112687055

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

this is lyrical and surreal - I want to know more as i read it about the inspiration behind it. There is a larger story.

[Mockingbird]

i guess we can never get away from our past. as to our regrets, it's too late. great metaphors. excellent poem.

[s y e]

Hi Mark - sorry it has taken me so long to review your writes. School life is hectic right now... any ways, on to your poem; this is amazing. I like how this reads and flows. A personal look back on life? I loved it.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I would dare ask the relevance of this merely to put a context upon it. It is brutally a self examination of guilt. Not quite as flowing as your normal free form and the repetition of 'what I've done' felt 'forced' Mark.

[Mark]

I've always lived by looking back and that includes those things I regret. Nothing truly dark or interesting. I guess that may have inspired this in part but mostly this is fiction. I get an idea and the writing starts. :) Thanks for your honest critique my friend.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It is good to be able to fashion writing from loose associations and fictionalise them Mark. I do it all the time and people think I have a razor blade at my throat lol

[Ruth]

We do, eventually, we may chase our own tails for a few years but we do remember...I like the 42 a lot hon, great work! x

[Mark]

Thank you Poppy! :)

[Nia Hope]

Absolutely fabulous as usual! Amazing read :)

[Mark]

Thank you for your kind words and for reading :)

[Nia Hope]

Anytime :)

[Daniel Sala]

Is 42 the meaning of life, the universe and everything here? This poem for me is an abstract yet clear description of being, with regard to reflection/awareness. And I'm all too aware that the meaning of a poem is usually in the eye of the beholder, hope I have understaood this piece a little at least, Mark.

"Those shadows.
my shadows.
hold what I've done
the memories I am.

I warp them while I fight
with the memories of light
and zero then one
digital remains of my life."

What a marvellous turn of phrase you have here.

[Mark]

42 was a part of my life before I'd ever heard of The Hitchhiker's Guide. I guess, for me, it is a little mystical.

[Daniel Sala]

Okay, thanks for explaining, Mark.

[Leslie Philibert]

A personal look back, ,excellently composed

[Mark]

THank you as always for stopping by Leslie!

[Stanley Wilson]

the answer is 42 indeed great poem

[Mark]

I was wondering if someone might get that reference :) 42 was part of my life long before I'd read HGTTG though. Thanks for Stanley.