Sunday, December 29, 2013

Elegy

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Elegy



Holding on to what is real, rather than elusion,
Alluding to my narrow, if noble, perspective;
Presenting a pattern of objective confusion,
Perhaps it really is time for new directive.


Yearning for a moment frozen in time and space,
Never taking into account, potential consequence;
Each dawn has its day, then vanishes without a trace.
While I know it was there, I haven't seen it since,


You took it, laying rightful claim to what you own.
Eventually, life lines fade and become thread bare,
All too apparent when I look to find you are gone;
Reminders, like clues, are strewn about, everywhere.


Reckoning is a task I find altogether foreboding.
Of all advances taken, two steps forward and wait;
Seeing the final vestiges colliding, imploding,
Every step taken leads one to this certain fate.


For all I imagine, and that which I know to be true,
Running in place, from past, is all that makes sense.
Obstacles only impede if I choose to allow them to,
Much to my benefit, at present, I am easy to convince.


Moving forward requires us all to turn and gaze back,
Yet this lesson must be reminded, and learned again;
Keeping with the ancient order, staying on track,
Even a final dawn has its day to claim. What then?


Michael Todd (2013)


Disclaimer: If I have ever written a poem about the turning of a page on a calendar, as a new year commences, I don't recall. Maybe I am running out of things to write about. Possibly, I just overlooked the topic. Or maybe, a part of me hates to put the old year to rest, at best, passed and gone. Just call me sentimental.

While I adore the concept of a happy new year, and wish that, sincerely, for any and everyone I know... there are few things that make me happy. But, the upside to that is that what does make me happy has a great impact. And, more importantly, who can make me happy can do so with minimal effort. I do not require a detailed directive. Just point me in the right direction. That is all I need.

42 comments:

  1. I love everything about this write. I can pick apart each stanza and exclaim over them all. You have it on the mark about the passing of time. I believe I will go and re-read again. :)

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    1. Thank you, Laura, for your very kind overview.

      Also, not to be overlooked... Nice FRISTING !!!

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  2. Michael, wow, I love this! I tried to share it from my phone but can not, so tomorrow from my desktop I will. its just too good not to share.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed this, Deanna. I have yet to cross over the phone method of internet usage. I am still trying to master the desk top routine.

      Thanks for the visit. See you around...

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  3. This is absolutely stunning.. a wonderful piece... thank you so much..

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  4. I too hate to turn that last page on the calendar. I wish I could just linger around Thanksgiving and not have to go into a new year. At this time of year, I am very much aware of all my failures. Love your perspective. love you.

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    1. I understand what you mean, Anna... This was a year, I felt as though I could not get anything quite right. But, I have high hopes for the days upcoming. I just have to try harder. I can do that.

      Thanks for coming by to visit. Love you back. ;)

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  5. Time like a speeding train, takes us to new struggles and adventures. Some make us better, some add fun to the ride, and a lot just make us tired. Soon the ride will end so the best we have is to enjoy the ride. Our direction is forward and perspective mostly back, but me thinks your write was right on track.

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    1. Thanks, Jim. That all makes perfect sense to me. :)

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  6. Okay I will call you sentimental, Sir Myke, but I mean it as a compliment. Happy old year! Cherish it to the last day, hour, minute...

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    1. Thanks, Sir Ruggi. The line of perspective you present is really a perfect road map..And trust me to follow it to the letter. :)

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  7. I'm at the point in my life presently where this piece runs parallel with my own thoughts and perspective. I also empathize with your disclaimer - Here's to a new year and may it be better than we anticipate *HUGS*

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    1. Love your overview of this, Shauna, and sign me up for wherever you are going in the coming year. And, I felt that hug, all the way up here in Tennessee.

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  8. A lovely poem to inspire one to think of changes to make in the year ahead. Happy New Year, Myke! -David II

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    1. By and large, David, I think most of the changes made will be by me, and not for me, but I can deal with that, in moderation... Happy New Year to you, as well, Sir.

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  9. The beauty of time on a page is that you can go back to remember, as well as go forward to the future. Nicely done, Sir *tips hat* And Happy New...Moment :) -slj

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    1. I am all for the forward and backward mobility, Stephen Lee. It is those time I get stuck in a quagmire or a lob lolly that inhibit me... You have the very best of hats. Happy New Year to you, Sir.

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  10. Well, you make me happy Myke! and I just got a notification sound, so I guess we're reading each other, don't you love sync?
    About the poem, I love it and YOU!

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    1. I really was just at your posting about new and current years, and I think we are very much on the same page, Alba Leigh. Thanks for the love and affection displayed. I can always count on you. :)

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  11. Your words really resonated with me – it doesn’t take much to make me happy either. Happy New year
    Sweet Sue

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    1. Thanks, Sue. You make me happy. Happy New Year to you, as well.

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  12. I think this is my favorite pome from you, perhaps because it speaks to me so greatly. If ever there was a pome that I didn't write, that could have been written by me, this is it. I love all the stanzas, but especially the one about life lines becoming bare and reminders strewn about everywhere. Seems I need to learn how to only hold onto what is real, because most of what I did hold onto, never was. I am forever running in place from the past. I think going into the future, that pace will just serve me well. (((hugs))) and happy New Year <3

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    1. Well, you just pretty much blew me away, Lisa, and in a good way. So glad this hit home with you. Let's both have an awesome upcoming year. :)

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  13. Such a beautiful and introspective write, Myke! I can also relate to this subject matter, the new year holds the hope of promise and yet, somehow it is difficult to close the chapter on another year. That is, unless it has been a bad year. Fortunately, the number 13 is my lucky number and have several really horrendous years.... I would have liked this year to continue. Much love and wishes for a Happy New Year to you, my dear friend! <3

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    1. I am so glad things went well for you and yours this year, C.B.
      Let's hope your momentum will carry through in the coming year.
      Your lucky number is 13? Oh, my. This explains your dark side.
      My best number is seven. :)

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  14. This is such a great piece, Michael! There is something in every stanza that resonates with me! Well done.
    Jay

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    1. Thanks for your prime assessment of this little series of stanzas, Jay.
      I had a world of fun putting it together. Glad my Memphis connection was a part it my new year deal.

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  15. The depth of this is far deeper than any of yours that I have read. Is it illusion to view reality with an eye of imagination? When we turn the page to the new year and the old fall by the wayside will its lessons be soon forgotten? I think not for your writing has not waned, has not lost its edge nor its ability to cause thought to erupt from ones own mind. As you turn the page or when the last leaf falls, there will be another to bloom anew and take its place.

    Now see what you have done! My head hurts! :) Fantastic poem Sir Myke!

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    1. Sorry to make your head pound, Dave... well, not really. I appreciate the manner in which you take this at face value, but look a little deeper. You know, that which is my greatest source of joy is that which can frustrate me. What lifts me up can take me down. I could go on and on with similar analogies, but I think these will do... I appreciate what you said about depth. As it was, this may be the single most cryptic poem I have ever written and posted, and yet everyone who visits seem to get something personal from it. I could not be happier... well, I could be a little happier. And, I believe I will. It is a patience thing. I am getting a lot of experience with that. ;)

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  16. There is a lot to be learned when looking back in reflection, and I think that is the magic of a writer. We don't just look back at the moments - We capture them. I hope 2014 is filled with many good ones for you!! I loved your poem, especially the line about running in place from the past. It's hard when we remain motionless in progress when the reason we are the way we are is running away like nothing...Great job.

    Valerie

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    1. Thanks, Valerie... It is so good that you have this under control at such an early age. It will serve you well in the coming years. But, let's just consider one coming year, and hope the transition is seamless... Glad you came to visit. :)

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  17. Nice one, Myke...I even liked your disclaimer! I have discovered that my new old phone, (used...but new to me!) since it is linked to my g-mail account, sends me notices when you post. Yay! Now I won't have to keep checking! (I don't use my g-mail account, but the notices show up on my Google page...IF I've logged on! Have a happy and healthy 2014,...and don't mourn for 2013....2014 is a brand new opportunity!

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    1. Hello, Sandra... Glad your new gadget is working for you so well. That is always good news... and, I believe the coming year will be good news, too. The closer it gets, the more appealing it becomes...

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    1. Thanks, Sallon. So nice to see you here at my new place. :)

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  19. I truly believe this is by far your best.

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    1. Thank you so very much, Miss Millman. There are days I feel like I said it as well as I could here. Now, I am for sure coming back. :)

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  20. It doesn't matter why you wrote it only that it speaks to the heart, and brilliantly.

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