Fearlessly

Come on, my friend, embrace life's pain,
the heartbreaks, and your death to come.
Don't drench yourself in worry's rain
and drag through soggy days, so glum.
Go slam your dreams upon that drum
that rages in your chest so sure
as breaths you seize approach their sum
and fearless thoughts are all that's pure.

There's comfort in the wallowing
and moaning when life's oh so tough,
but poison's all you're swallowing
and tainted confidences bluff.
Don't fantasize that hope's enough.
Break free. The action is the cure.
Be willful and grind smooth those rough
and fearful thoughts. And, bleed them pure.

The world's a blaze and you a spark,
a flame, soon smoke and blown out ash;
so burn on 'til your skies are dark
and strangle time 'til moments flash.
And, on that final breeze, you thrash,
through whipping winds you won't endure,
let all the gods proclaim you brash
and fearless and a life so pure.

Author's Note

Please let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Carlos L Estrada]

Very moving poem, Matt. The last line especially really spoke to me. Very relatable now that I'm up there in years. You have a very strong writing style that elicits emotion from your readers. I always find that quality of writing important. It demands of the reader and challenges them. Wonderful work my friend.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading and compliments, Carlos! :)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Mattavelli… amazing poetry.
At 81 years, I have just begun to be a
Drummer with hummingbirds… so busy sipping Nectar and dancing with the flowers.
tenderly, Pat

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Patricia! :)
Last week I watched a documentary about hummingbirds on PBS. They are amazing creatures.

[Betty Hermelee]

First of all I love the structure of this poem, the strong and soft word you choose to express your theme; Everyone suffers with sorts of pain at one time or another; I think what you're saying, work through this pain with action, what ever that may be; don't think that hope alone will solve your problems; you must go through hell and high water to cleanse and purify oneself. Don't ever give up. I thin the poem is extraordinary and upbeat. ..and I love your photo; are you talking to him?
Best, B.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Betty! :)
Yes, the photo is my son. He's all I care about. Haha

[Richard 🍃]

Great lessons scribed for your boy, Matt ✍

One day, he'll pick up your book (dedicated to him, of course) and read this, marveling at his dad's poetical skill and keen wisdom.
With your hallmark rhythmic flow and spot-on rhymes, the a-b-a-b-b-c-b-cR scheme with the "pure" refrain (sans an envoi) is might-near a Ballade, and with a smidgeon of effort could easily be.
Still, one would be hard pressed to find issues to be critical of in this excellently rendered piece from your own heart and life's experiences to your beautiful son (love his handsome pic). 😊

Your writing's always a nice pleasure to enjoy … thank you sincerely for sharing! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading and the compliments, Richard! :)
This one has a lot more rhyming sounds than a ballade, so a smidgeon of effort would be a rewrite. Haha

[Richard 🍃]

Yeah,
You're right … now, that I look closer, V2 and 3 have a different rhyme scheme that V1.

Mea culpa

[Foxemerald]

Great meter! I love the optimism and positive message this poem has!

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading! :)

[Miss Sharon]

WHAT A WONDERFUL, UPBEAT AND POSITIVE MESSAGE IN THIS WELL WRITTEN GEM! IT'S JUST WHAT WE ALL NEED IN THIS TIME OF COVID AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THANKS FOR WRITING THIS! ~Sharon

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Sharon! :)

[Carola]

nice rhythm & rhyme.
me being a positive person, i particularly like the 2nd stanza to stop wallowing & get on with it.

i believe life needs to be balanced to appreciate all the wonderful things, & how would you know they were wonderful ? 'cos every now & then less cheerful things happen to compare them with.

cheerio carola

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading Carola! :)
I wanted this to be inspiring. My feeling is that people should embrace their lives, not live in denial of the hardships and pain. We need contrast, yes.

[Poetic Beauty]

There are time we have to push the pain and sorrow aside and embrace our dreams. Allow them to beat loudly within us and go forward with passion and hope in achieving something new something beautiful something worthwhile

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Poet! :)

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem speaks volumes and is full of poetry. I believe this perhaps can be taken in more than one way. The line of "your death to come," is powerful and sobering for everyone to embrace knowing it's going to happen. It's like that scene from the movie What About Bob? For those that have seen that funny movie. Tyfs

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Cyprian! :)

[Neville]

when someone gets above twenty or so positive reviews, they dont really need to be reminded how good the post is ... and you got 73 of em even before I left my mark here ... well done you :)

[mattavelli]

Thanks for the comment, Neville! :)

[Neville]

......... always welcome :)