Tag Thoughts

On the Edge – dVerse Open Link Week 114

freyathewriter 20 Comments

Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Open Link – why not take a look at everyone else’s responses?

This piece is in honour of everyone who is striving for balance in their creative and ‘other’ lives. This year for me has been… horrible, and so my creativity has helped me manage all the incessant thoughts racing around in my head. Next year, let it be better…

*****

– On the Edge –

I watched you breathe your last
In that hospital room
With its hospital smells
And the pneumatic mattress
Which continued to sigh
Long after you  –
went

I know that nurses continued to laugh
In the long hallway
With the squeaking floor
But silence settled
In those empty moments
Right after you –
left

I write about you, over and over
In this year of my life
With my heart, broken wide
Creativity rescue me
Help me live,
Now that you are –
gone.

Warning Unheeded – dVerse Poetics

freyathewriter 26 Comments

I’m getting into this dVerse thing, big time! Thank you to everyone there for the warm welcome 🙂

So, here’s my submission to the dVerse Poetics prompt – this week, we are asked to write something inspired by a time-worn phrase or saying, whether it is something from the TV, the radio, a song, an old catchphrase that we or friends, family or colleagues use – inspiration can be found anywhere.

This week, the phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’ has been floating around in my head. I could probably explain why, but perhaps that’s not relevant.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my piece below – please do visit the linky link thing to read many more!

*****

– Warning Unheeded –

‘Be careful, be careful’

the old woman said,

my youth it knew better

and I shook my head.

 

‘You’re old and you’re feeble’

I stated with scorn,

and tossed barbed-wire glances –

her face fell, forlorn.

 

I wanted the top job,

accolades in all spheres,

‘All hail the big chief’

to ring in my ears.

 

I did achieve fame,

yes, fortune was mine,

but something was missing

no love to entwine

 

in the twists and the turns

of my life, well-endowed

no face to light up

for my own, in a crowd.

 

Be careful, be careful

I’m an old woman now,

in my youth I was wrong –

it’s too late for me now.

 

Life Lessons – Līgo Haibun Challenge

freyathewriter 21 Comments

This week, I have decided to dip another toe in the world of the haibun – a piece of prose followed by a haiku poem. The Līgo Haibun Challenge is hosted by Penny, Ye Pirate and Nightlake – why not take a trip to their blogs to find out more?

This week’s two alternative prompts are the following words:

Paradise

Apathy

I have chosen ‘apathy’ – because I really couldn’t be bothered wih paradise… 🙂

Please do go and check out the other entries by visiting any of the co-hosts’ blogs and finding the InLinkz linky thing! There are some very talented writers out there…

*****

– Life Lessons –

Recently, there have been days when I have fought hard to just drag myself out of bed. There have been moments when I have wondered (sometimes out loud) ‘What’s the point?’

Life is never what we plan. Lucky is the old man who can look back on the decades and think ‘Yes, this is what I imagined it to be’. Did he achieve everything that he wanted, when all was said and done?

Probably not.

The trick is to pull yourself through the dark parts so that they don’t drag you down. Learn from them, don’t let them consume you, nor let them take control of your life. Don’t let your darkest predictions become your reality. Do not, do not become apathetic in the face of life’s tough stuff.

Life can be terrible and wonderful. It usually has elements of both for all of us. And yet, we can spend so much time focusing on the disaster, wallowing in it, letting it define us and allowing it to stop us in our tracks that the autumn and winter of our lives arrive like an express train, whilst we barely notice the joy of the spring and summer.

Not bothering, not experiencing, not being in the world – terrible choices, all. Take time to breathe when life knocks you sideways, because it surely will. Don’t take the choice of opting out. Regrets lie there, aplenty.

life lessons are tough

the trick is to learn them well

winter comes quickly

ligo-challenge_logo