reflections of impermanence
we’re always looking for something to ground us
a way to tattoo ourselves onto existence
indelible ink wash rivers
flowing through veins of indecision
brushing all sharp edges into
smooth curves and blurred remembrance
fitting pieces together in a nest of silt at the bottom
while the corners get washed downstream
memory is a gazing pool of fortitude
what we forget is the skeleton of living
winter freezes everything that runs
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March 19th, 2013 at 8:56 am
the sea refuses no river
March 19th, 2013 at 9:33 am
dang…just some wicked cool couplets in this…your opening couplet is so full of truth…and the one on pools of memory…really tight write and great close…
March 19th, 2013 at 9:44 am
This reflection is wonderful. Deep, thoughtful, and given life by beautifully constructed couplets. One of your best.
March 19th, 2013 at 10:55 am
I was hooked from that first line. As always, you astound me my friend.
March 19th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Kelly, if you’re words were liquid I would drink them right up. You never fail to amaze me with your choice of words and subject.
March 19th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Kelly, wow, can’t say it better than she did, so I am going to say–yes! What she said.
March 19th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
the skeleton of living…and…tattooing ourselves onto existence… my favs…such wicked cool images
March 19th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
A wonderful reflection. Love the opening lines!
March 19th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Hard to pick favorites in this one, but the tattoo and silt and freeze stayed with me.
March 19th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Wonderful concluding line!
March 19th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
“…a way to tattoo ourselves onto existence..” What an incredible line of poetry. I just smiled broadly when I read it. I have continued to ponder it. This is a great stich of poetry.
March 19th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
Beautiful.
March 19th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
looking for a way to tattoo self onto existence..loved this idea. powerful as always~
March 19th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
WOW!
Give me the pool in the conglomerate pool!
March 19th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
just loved the nature in and of this
March 19th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
I really enjoyed this one..the first two lines were the hook for me..nicely done..
March 19th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
That second line – “a way to tattoo ourselves onto existence” – is such an amazing construct, that it is able to anchor the entire poem. It’s the source from which the waters of the verse flow, the many waters that are the metaphor for life’s impermanence.
March 19th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
memory is a gazing pool of fortitude
what we forget is the skeleton of living
So many great lines but this is my favorite, a lovely piece overall and love the couplets!
March 19th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Breath takingly good! I cannot explain how very apt it was that I read your poem tonight when I did, in relation to other things going on. I will only say it was the perfect read for me, in this moment 🙂
March 19th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
“… veins of indecision …”
ahh, yes.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Seems I am not alone in my favourite part, tattooing ourselves onto existence is wonderful.
Pamela
March 19th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
So it is ~ Love the last two lines best ~
what we forget is the skeleton of living
winter freezes everything that runs
Lovely share Kelly
March 19th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Fantastic images and photo too!
March 19th, 2013 at 7:46 pm
stunning metaphor – I love the way you sustained it
March 19th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
beautiful..my first thought was of sand castle that never stay..how you constructed this amazing!
March 19th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
I love the way you combine this! Fantastic piece Kelly!
March 19th, 2013 at 10:05 pm
So very true about winter freezing everything that runs. I like your thoughts expressed in this poem very much. They ring true for me.
March 20th, 2013 at 12:10 am
Lovely piece, beautifully worded. I liked the allusions to permanence and time passing. Great choices for metaphor.
March 20th, 2013 at 12:43 am
Top: a way to tattoo ourselves onto existence.
and bottom: winter freezes everything that runs.
I was hooked. great lines here, for sure.
the title and the image seal the deal.
March 20th, 2013 at 5:21 am
Such a strong poem, and the last line was a great closer.
March 20th, 2013 at 6:53 am
Ha! Indeed. We are a cosmic joke with out struggles for indelibility.
That was a brilliant write — complex and philosophical: an unembarrassed realism. And the petrified bird was a great photo choice.
Thanx
March 20th, 2013 at 7:41 am
memory is a gazing pool of fortitude
what we forget is the skeleton of living
I often lose my present in remembering. These lines struck home with me.
March 20th, 2013 at 9:37 am
Beautiful! I love tattoo ourselves onto existence and the ending.
March 20th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
‘Winter freezes everything that runs..’ such a deceptive and layered flickering last line to close with–it gives the poem even more mystery and makes the whole into its own gazing pool of the psyche..and the wintry mood suits me down to the ground.
March 20th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Stunned… there are so many strong images and such a smooth flow to this piece, Kelly. You make this look easy, but I know it isn’t.
March 20th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
fabulous!
March 21st, 2013 at 5:33 am
Beautiful words.
Anna :o]