Metamorphosis

Changing with each step

 

 

Metamorphosis

 

Tracing footsteps in the overgrown field

where sunlight and rain drops date

Counting sticker burrs like lemon drops

in a candy counter display

Hitchhikers I remember them called,

lovers of socks and pant legs I think

Each with their own story to tell,

minute worries clinging to that last hope of life

 

The path, familiar but then again not,

it leads somewhere else now

Dragging shadows like kite strings,

knotted in the weave of its boundaries

Taking in my surroundings and releasing them  

for another may find them useful as well,

I find still no sign of that last phrase,

spoken softly but misunderstood…is my understanding

 

A collection of stone and gravel stew

finds my shoe souls imaging in the dry dusty paste

Outlines of thoughts, perhaps poetry in oblong shapes and

perfect tread patterns stamped and posted,

showing no signs of my ever being here

Staring now at a cocoon on a lone branch, I see

what my life had been, dark and lonely, dreaming of the colors,

feeling confined but grateful for the transformation

 

You smiled, I smiled, my wings appeared and I flew,

as might a rainbow on a balloon, soaring until the tiniest speck

in the sky could be me or just something on your glasses

Light headed in a good way, free at last to define love,

the metamorphosis of my heart,

the changing of a man into more than he could hope to be,

seeking and finding that blossom,

sweet nectar, a sugary substance, love deep in the petals of life

 

Though, no one told me of the life span before hand,

no calendar hanging on my wall with circled dates highlighted in red,

nor a stamp of expiration anywhere on my heart,

good if used by…used by, funny I should write that now

as my attention rests still on this cocoon,

wondering where I went wrong,

somewhere on this path lies the answer…

for I once was a butterfly, just as you will be small cocoon,

 

at which time you will learn…

 

it is easier to fly with a heart that is unbroken

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Baby Ricochet]

I love the forth Stanza. Now that's some poetry

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much my friend.

[eglantine]

Ok, blame my fierce cold that's been raging in my system for 3 days now, but this poem reminded me of potpourri.... and it made me feel cozy.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend. I hope you feel better soon.

[Lydia Shutter]

OH MY...this one found its way right into my heart from the "hitchhikers" sticking to socks in the field to "dragging shadows like kite strings". The metaphor of the butterfly is so lovely.....so warm and emotional. Indeed, it is easier to fly with a heart that never feels the pain of being broken, but sometimes I think those who have suffered broken hearts are more compassionate....and that is a good thing. Bittersweet words, Jack. Written so well. Lydi**

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Lydi. Your sweet words have touched me this morning.

[Magnolia]

Wow, what a journey !...a magnificent write indeed jack...I love this line...Counting sticker burrs like lemon drops in a candy counter display, marvellous. Too many other great phrases to pick out. A gem of a poem...Maggie

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Maggie. I truly appreciate your kind words.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Lovely poignant write, I love the theme of this work. Can't say anything more but a brilliant work. Thanks Mr. Jack for sharing.

[Jack...]

Thanks so very much Marc. Nice to see you again.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Wc Sir Jack. :)

[gabrielle]

indeed, we are like the butterflies that underwent several stages before reaching its beautiful phase. every stage, such as heartaches and pains. in every stage we learn to adapt and to be flexible, which make us stronger and braver. As they say the diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials. wonderful work jack!

[Jack...]

Wow, thank you so very much Gabrielle. Your words this morning have brought me great joy. I appreciate you.

[emmajoy]

This is as beautiful and far.reaching as any poem could be and how it touches the mind and heart!

You use immense imagination, not just metaphorically, but more a deeply rooted stroke of what you feel, rather than cleverly, manlike produce out of thin air. ' ..wondering where I went wrong, ~ somewhere on this path lies the answer…~ for I once was a butterfly,..'

Your emotions fly back and forth, going through stages in life, emotions woven with whatever, ' ..A collection of stone and gravel stew ~ finds my shoe souls imaging in the dry dusty paste ..'

If i had to choose the magic phrase, '.. Dragging shadows like kite strings, .. '

That last phrase: seems you could be so easily and willingly guiding another heart and mind, perhaps a small child's, a young person's.. saying this is how it is for me ..your turn now. Whatever, Jack, this is special.

[Jack...]

Emma, I hope I didn't wake you. :) Thank you more than anything - your words to me bring the sunshine to my smile. I do adore hearing from you.

[emmajoy]

The time in Dorset is 13.03.. almost sandwich time! Been awake since 06.45, if you'd woken me would have screamed across the ocean at you!! Meantime, and far more importantly, your poem is incredibly and wonderfully written.

[icelandicblue]

The greater the love the larger the heartbreak. I loved these lines:

Light headed in a good way, free at last to define love,
the metamorphosis of my heart,
the changing of a man into more than he could hope to be,
seeking and finding that blossom,
sweet nectar, a sugary substance, love deep in the petals of life

You are right, it is easier to fly with a heart that's unbroken. Those are wise and poignant words.

[Jack...]

Anne, thank you for stopping by for a visit. I always look forward to you kind comments.

[Pryde Foltz]

Indeed, a broken heart adds a strange weight. Intense write, Jack. You built up the tension and delivered the final line with a fine sense of irony. (Irony seems to be the word for the night.)

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much Pryde. Smiling because of your kind words.

[Emerald Seas]

We surprise ourselves with our capacity to love, to endure, to prevail in life. You capture it all in this melancholy write. Unique and inspiring, you manage to touch us deeply with your skill and heart poured into each poem. Lovely, Jack - simply lovely!

[Jack...]

Thank you so very much for your kind words Sirrah. I truly appreciate you