I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

29 July 2011

I Am Awaiting

I am awaiting his approaching death.
There, I’ve said it openly at last —
although in writing only, not with breath.

The slowing present hurries to be past,
the dear days dawdling to their close too fast.

Meanwhile, for the most part, we pretend
liveliness doesn’t lag and life won’t end.


An experiment in rime royal, prompted by FormForAll at dVerse
By -
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12 comments:

  1. hedgewitch29 July 2011 at 18:07

    Very neat and the form echoes the sentiment expressed in the last lines, a certain briskness that covers the more somber message. A bit of Dickinson feel, almost. Excellent and well-crafted piece (and I love the title of your blog.)

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  2. Anonymous30 July 2011 at 00:49

    Very poignant verses. Nicely done!

    David

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  3. Maude Lynn30 July 2011 at 02:42

    Heartbreaking and beautifully done. The first lines steal your breath.

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  4. Beachanny30 July 2011 at 02:49

    While you made a few alterations to the strictness of the meter by use of caesura, you're poem nevertheless
    captures Rime Royal perfectly.

    I completely sympathize with the poem; I am caring for an old friend in the throes of therapy for stage 3 cancer. Death may certainly be easier than the torture he's been enduring.

    Thank you for writing and linking your excellent poem today.

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  5. Arron Shilling30 July 2011 at 05:11

    Even writing it down allows for an understanding.
    Now you can rage against it albeit delicately or thoughtfully as in this piece.

    write for life.

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  6. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 July 2011 at 10:28

    Many thanks to you all for these comments! It was an act of daring to post this one (even to write it) so I really appreciate your encouragement.

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  7. Rob Schackne30 July 2011 at 16:37

    That's a brave poem you wrote; it is not captured any by the rhyme, but the rhyme does suggest the inevitable. In peace and with love.

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  8. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 July 2011 at 17:44

    Thanks, Rob! Actually I don't want to give the impression this end will be soon; it seems more a gradual deterioration which, nevertheless, reminds me of the inevitable.

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  9. Scarlet30 July 2011 at 20:31

    I like all of it. I struggled with this form but you did an excellent job.

    Thanks for sharing this ~

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  10. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 July 2011 at 22:06

    Don't worry, I struggled too! I'm glad you liked it.

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  11. Raj Arumugam15 August 2011 at 21:56

    This poem has sheer poetic power, Rosemary...the lines are intense and the pace brilliant.

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  12. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 August 2011 at 23:53

    Thank you, Raj. I appreciate your saying so.

    ReplyDelete

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