holding onto ghosts
some i’ve known for years and others
i’ve yet to be introduced to
i’m walking down this road
that always leads me home
remembering faces and places
and voices long forgotten
whispers on wind telling tales
no one ever stops to hear
the white waving flag of
existential discourse
extend your hand
take my place
lend an ear
a shoulder
an old pair of shoes
this is the forest we all live in
trees and concrete and wisps
of tired translucent souls singing
songs less music than ballad
into the surrender of sky and grey
and blue smoke metaphysical ribbons
all these lost stories folding deep
into rivers and seas and oceans
returning later, much later
to rain down upon us
.
.
.
.
May 14th, 2013 at 8:13 am
this is the forest we all live in
trees and concrete and wisps
of tired translucent souls singing
songs less music than ballad
love that…and all the lost stories blending into the river…we all are, we all have them…and though i know i wont meet them all i love the ones i do…smiles.
May 14th, 2013 at 9:36 am
eventually and sometimes unexpectedly, those stories do rain down upon us.
i will tell you again and again: you are brilliant.
May 14th, 2013 at 10:47 am
Beautiful, it coaxed me in and brought me into the full circle of the stories. Your travels into the interstices of life enrich mine so much.
May 14th, 2013 at 11:32 am
OMG, Mrs M. This is awesome !!!
May 14th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
There is definitely so much richness beyond our understanding. The voices long forgotten can often be coaxed out when in the forest.
May 14th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I love the nostalgic feel to this. Had this whole old movie in sepia thing going on when read it…
This was my favorite part:
“extend your hand
take my place
lend an ear
a shoulder
an old pair of shoes”
May 14th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
love the images and the mood of this…and the connection….and the old shoes…made me smile
May 14th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Such a neat picture & an even more brilliant piece of writing.
May 14th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
This us just beautiful
May 14th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Beautiful and mysterious, well writtten. Love the idea of all the lost souls and lost stories raining down upon us.
May 14th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
O yes, I love the image ballads and stories folding into the landscape like a cake batter cooked and served up – eating is also oral history. Lovely cycle to be caught up in especially with what we can give each other.
May 14th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I can see those tired, translucent souls! Nicely done.
May 14th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
I love how this comes full circle. Very nice.
May 14th, 2013 at 4:13 pm
This was quite lovely, lingers in the soul a while.
May 14th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
this is the forest we all live in
trees and concrete and wisps
of tired translucent souls singing
songs less music than ballad
Lovely, lovely writing–and I love the mood of this–just excellent work
May 14th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
I like the sense of nostalgia as well as the present day existing together. Stories are always within landscapes like that and it show you could tell a few just be paying attention.
May 14th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Wow, this conjured quite the imagery. I liked so much of this, but a few highlights:
the white waving flag of
existential discourse
tired translucent souls singing
songs less music than ballad
all these lost stories folding deep
into rivers and seas and oceans
returning later, much later
to rain down upon us
Mrs. Mediocrity – you are so misnamed! Love, Mosk
May 14th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Such an incredibly lovely description of memories, Mrs. Mediocrity. I walk that path everyday too, damned be those that warn of living in the past. My mind takes me where I’m happy. Your poem did that too…. old shoes and all….. What a joyously lovely use of word choices Mrs…..
May 14th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Haunting in a quite subdued way. The dreams become intimations of some other world which perhaps will become the life lived after this one. That is a very primordial way to view understand dreams, and in your poem this idea takes on life quite vividly.
May 14th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Absolutely wonderful writing. Every line.
May 14th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
There’s so much to like here.
Structure, imagery, the language. Just great.
May 14th, 2013 at 7:58 pm
Great nostalgic trip down the road of past,present and future. Great imagery.
May 14th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
What Mosk said above. You are so misnamed!
May 14th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Beautiful imagery and message. Love it!
May 14th, 2013 at 10:54 pm
all these lost stories folding deep
into rivers and seas and oceans
returning later, much later
to rain down upon us
Oh this is great! I love how cyclical it makes the memories. Such a cool idea.
May 14th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
I am fascinated by ghosts in all forms – apparitions, memories, and that peek-around-the-corner, “did you see that” variety.
The wispy nature of a real spirit belies its incredible strength, wisdom, and history. Beautiful, Mrs. M! Amy
May 15th, 2013 at 10:37 am
I wonder if ever we make peace w. these ghosts…beautiful write!
May 15th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Strong writing for an ethereal theme. Bravo.
May 15th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
you never fail me. just when i think nothing can top an excellent writing. another one does.
in my fondest. tilda
May 15th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
I love your welcoming tone to the ghosts and the existential effects they call up for us. Surrender of sky and white waving flag so brilliant here.
May 15th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Love the feel of this, love this! We have all met up with some of these ghosts 🙂
May 15th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
trees and concrete and wisps and those white flags . . . I really cant think of better time for me to read and accept this poem as it stands in isolation, as I stand in isolation: perfectly penned to capture the shape of the end and the stuff of what can come before.
May 16th, 2013 at 12:20 am
Interesting image.
And your words…. A-maz-ing.
Thanks you,
jj
May 16th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Lovely ethereally conjured piece – I especially liked: “wisps of tired translucent souls singing… returning later, much later to rain down upon us.” Very well realised and a real pleasure to read – thank you Mrs.M!! With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
May 18th, 2013 at 2:00 am
These are welcome ghosts!