Memoirs

Dressed in black, words,

Like pilgrims, traverse a

Well-defined universe of

Right angles and fine fibers.

Corner to corner, they roam

In search of their virgin bride

Dressed in pure white light.

Like water from a stone,

Thoughts flow and flood

Desert minds; something

Wants to be born through a

Foggy brain and a beating heart.

And you, witness to all this as a

Passer-by, busy being your own

Mother, father, and midwife,

Do not question, approve, or

Deny what Life itself willed and

From its own thigh, like a

Pound of flesh did pry.

Be silent as the hills that

Witness the movement of the stars

As you follow a soul’s journey and

Read her memoirs. 

Author's Note

I was thinking about the way people comment on other's writings. Whether it's done in good faith or not, written in a positive or a negative tone, whether it contains constructive or destructive criticism, in my view, it is patronizing to give advice like "don't be sad, look at the bright side," etc. Who in their right mind would walk up to Hamlet and say something like that? Did Shakespeare write his tragedies because he was "sad"? Of course no one knows his intent, but art, in my view, holds up a mirror to life. What is shown can be appreciated for its complexity, depth, etc., but that image projected there will not change - nor the reality it reflects - because we say comforting words to it. The world, i.e. we, want to be understood through a process of performative, "collective self-reflection." There are places of silence: churches, libraries, and museums. What is there to say standing in front of some small truth that took shape as a result of the genuine effort of a self-aware soul?

Reviews

[Lorry]

A great philopher once said "I is what I is" or was it popeye?
But yes, I agree. We have all kinds and shapes here, just as in life. The copy and pasted brigade that think no one notices how insincere there words are, or the ones who read others words like they are their own, or the "experts" who tell you where you've went wrong.
In amongst all these different types and more we sometimes come across someone who understands and feels your words, but might not be the best at explaining them, or perhaps they do.
I try to read the pages in frilint of me, without wandering into those bits "between the lines" too closely, as we all have something to say, which is why we are all writers in the first place.
We do after all write for a reason and that reason may be different from others, but when words connect with someone, we should just say that and let the writer know they have been heard.
My reviews are usually far more "wordy" than my actual writes, buy as I already mentioned, we are all different and sometimes reviewing is far more calming than it is to think of what my own writing means.
I also dislike what I'm about to do and point out a particular piece, but your last lines really pull everything together and leave this reader at least thinking that you have just gave birth to your words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

As you know, I am partial to metaphor.
I really like the ones used in this poem and what is said in this poem is a truth I definitely want to stand in front of.
j.

[Laz K.]

Thanks, j.