... exercised in the still night
when only the moon rages ...
— DylanThomas
I've spent my life this way —
sitting up late at night on my own
with the moon and the darkness,
making poems
through school and university,
marriages, children, pets,
friendships, jobs, travels,
in sickness and in health ...
Now that I'm old and alone
contemplating what's to come,
I see it will be the same.
Why would it change?
Half-dozing at my computer,
envisioning solitary nights
up late for the rest of my life,
absorbed in the making of poems,
I hear the voice of my late, dearest love
call as from a long way off
his eternal encouragement: 'Yes!'
and I become light.
Poetic Asides April Poem A Day Challenge 2013, 2:
a dark or a light poem, or one of each. This is both in one.
Also submitted for dVerse Open Link Night #90
Also submitted for dVerse Open Link Night #90
"absorbed in the making of poems" lovely write!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, peaceful, a little melancholy... Beautifully written, Rosemary!
ReplyDeleteSimply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteand beautifully simple!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friends. This realisation is what gave rise to my comment on facebook (for those who saw it) that I have been doing this since I was seven, yet people continue to ask, 'Are you still writing poetry?'
ReplyDeleteOh so touching Rosemary. I think we can all relate to this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure of that. :)
DeleteI can feel the need to create in the middle of the night when rest just won't settle in..
ReplyDeleteup late for the rest of my life,
absorbed in the making of poems,
smiles....i am glad he still encourages you, you know...i could think worse things you could be staying up doing...smiles...just saying...
ReplyDeleteRosemary, I am glad you are up late writing poetry. That is what poets do; and you have been a poet for decades and will always be one. A passion is a passion. So enjoy! And know he is smiling as well.
ReplyDeleteA touch of melancholy beautifully filtered with light! So lovely!
ReplyDeleteWistful, a touch sad, but you wouldn't change the vocation at all, would you? A lovely poem which speaks to all of us absorbed in the making of poems.
ReplyDeleteVery true. I would never want to change it!
DeleteWhoooosh -- transporting and beautiful. Fantastic insight and lovely sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanx
"Up for the rest of my life"...making poetry. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteYes!
Yes, this is something I know other poets can relate to very well. We may do it alone - but here we find a whole family of poets!
ReplyDeleteDark and light and spanning a lifetime. Our common ground is vast and fertile. I am so grateful for my association with you and your talent.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim! I am grateful for the online poetic communities which bring us all in touch with each other.
Delete..it's me, too, up most of the night, drifting off at times in front of the laptop; so now I can explain to my doctor just why I'm turned around and she will understand if she reads this..thanks for sharing ;)
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I'm tickled by the idea of you presenting this to your doctor by way of explanation!
DeleteOh Rosemary, this is so beautiful, feeling your beloved encouraging you from his place in your heart. I write myself to sleep many nights too... and awake in the morning, I prefer that... but the words arise when they do.
ReplyDeleteAfter decades of family living, I've become used to late night as the quiet, uninterrupted stretch of time for listening to the Muse. But yes, the words may come at any time.
Deletethose first four lines are just so moving...I got inside a tiny bit of your feelings .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gerry!
ReplyDelete