poetry – Page 270 – The Word Rummager

I wished on a star but came up empty
But my jar was still full of light.
When I tried to chase the music I fell down the hill
And landed in a verdant green valley
That tried to lull me into peace
But I didn’t buy it
And used the stones to step across
To the charred remains
Of someone else’s dreams.
But I understood this shell
This empty wreckage
Because it’s what I carry every day
Sometimes hidden sometimes so painfully aware
To anyone who is sucker enough to ask how am I.
But until I can answer honestly
I will keep wishing on stars
And chasing the music
And fill up on words and images that make sense and don’t hurt.

http://original-writer.com/verse/poetrywriting62word.html

“We are delighted to publish refreshing poems for this season by Word Rummager.”

Take a moment and peruse this online magazine that is an “ideal rest stop for creative minds.”

Wild eyes filled with ideas that feel strange
Hard to see behind the light’s glare
Can’t focus beyond the wayward grasses blowing
Forgetting to pay attention to the importance around me
So if the games continue and the show goes on, what part do I play?

It’s going by too fast to find my footing
The scenes are changing so quickly I can’t think straight
I’m assailed with warm breezes and then I see it
A tall flower looming above the plain by the sound of the road
It holds me, transfixed, wondering at its reach
Hoping it finds what it’s looking for.

Do we have to travel for redemption
Or is it perched on a branch and we just have to climb a little
Out of our holes of despair and apathy
Before I can continue that thought I blink
And instead of grasses or flowers my sightline’s fuzzy, out of focus.

I’m getting older and my dreams are fading
Too full of tactical moves and tasks
Just want to slow down, breathe
There may be a path hidden by the undergrowth
Most won’t look hard enough, they like the smooth way
But I like wildflowers and fossils and looking under rocks.

Is it crazy to hear the stream speaking?
Hearing words of praise from moving water beats condemnation from those close
Skin prickles with the sun’s rays
I shouldn’t move too far from the stream
There’s no shade in the field.

No welcoming branches to hold me close
Feet keep moving though the mind wants to rest
The air is stifling and the heart slows
I can see an oasis on the horizon
Mine has books and trees and wine
All I need until the end of all things.

Where are you? I need you.
I’m trying to hold on to spring but I keep grasping thistles
So much has happened
Where do I take you first?

I found out that nobody was listening-
Not even the ones who pretended best
They only tolerated what I had to say but never understood
They seemed so sage but I just don’t get it.

I tried walking and reading and thinking
But you could have told me I should have done nothing
Something always comes from nothing
Like a flower or a dream.

So will you help me?
Can you guide my hand to something better
Guide my feet to cool waters
Take me where I should have gone before?

But lo they are calling me
Again with their words I can’t fathom
Their places so uniform and constrained
Maybe I can show them release.

I knew I’d I waited long enough when colors burst on the scene
I’d endured big talk from little minds
And waded through topics I didn’t want to understand
Reserves I hadn’t realized still existed carried me through on waves of words and polite smiles
And it took strength to hold back the gallons of anecdotes no one would want to hear
So I employed quiet as a rusty tool
And observed others as specimens in their own little jars
Each with their own solutions
And ideals
Are they really happy with their chit chat
Or do they secretly yearn for more
I just had to wait til the storm passed
To bask in the rainbow
But while they droned on
I felt heroic bearing the weight of tedium
Now I’m floating and relieved and alone.