I've read your poem over and over. I understand by your poem that you are not opposed to using light and dark as metaphors, just not the predictable cliches. Innocence expressed so beautifully as 'sacred rightness.' Really terrific. The whole poem is great.

One of the things that happens for me because I isolate is my access to the world is the internet and TV. Places where we are flooded with cheap thoughts and cliches. Where we might become convinced that 'normal' must be the same as 'pretty stupid.' TV at least sets the bar on deep thought right on the surface. Arfie, I think you are a person with very deep and beautiful thoughts and perspectives. I'm very glad you can share them with us.

You're right, Arfie. There is a truth beyond the darkness and the cliches.

May we all be healed and see it clearly.

Beautiful.

arfie, this directly reminds me of the poetry anthology I'm reading on the subject, "Carrying the Darkness." Carrying darkness means darkness is not just vixual, it's 3-D, it occupies space, it has mass. So does light,, then. And it's not whether we carry our darkness (and everybody has some), but how we carry it.

You always carry your portion with dignity and grace, arfie, as your poem puts it, you're mindful of those "deep shadows hungry to be filled." Thanks for your poem.

muji

**Trigger alert**

One of my defining PTSD moments in a combat zone was surviving an interrogation by Russian roulette. Since I have flashbacks about it, as anyone who goes through that does, I decided to face my interrogator in a poem. Here it is:

Poem--Letter to a Uruguayan Officer I Met in December of 1973

I thought you'd kill me
with that pistol. After all, you nearly did:
held it to my temple, pulled the trigger
that metallic click
on an empty chamber.

I lived
to wonder
how the gun was empty;
I lived
to wish
it wasn't at times.

You lived
after that.
What was it like?
I put it all
behind me.
How about you?

Why me?
Four of us were there.
I wouldn't ask but
it's my 55th birthday today
and 40 years
later
somebody
had to
some time.

The nerve
to send me back
among the living
never to feel
like one
of them
again.

Hope you made it
count
for
something.

You guys are so brainy here.....


I better keep posting so that new comers don't feel intimidated that only the very smart can post or something...

You guys are scary intelligent..

unomas, I am constantly reminded of my low I.Q, when I read the post here, Yours included!! So, please, keep on posting!

arfie, your poem is very moving! "Children who only see darkness" brought tears to my eyes for so many reasons. I hope you will keep sharing!

muji, I wish that officer could read what you wrote. I wish I had the strength that you have!

I hope ya'll don't mind if I share something I wrote today, especially Arfie. If it is wrong to add it to your post, please tell me! I am not well educated and words are not my forte, so feel free to critic if you desire to. I can see the red pens in your hands ready to go to work.


The rustling of leaves
Sparkles reflected off the dew
Twittering of the birds
Scurrying of small animals

Time flowing with it's own rhythm
The joyful sounds of nature
Found in a small oasis of peace
Unseen in our hurry

Quietly a hawk appears
Gliding on the still air
Playful sounds are silenced
A predator is near

Time slows with each circle
The fear becomes deafening
The world holds it's breath
Waiting for what will come

The hawk dives into the oasis
Eyes locked on it's prey
Panic freezes all action
Tiny hearts beat faster

Death has entered these woods
A mistake by the prey
Or the honed senses of the predator
The cycle of life continued

Stillness reigns amongst the trees
A sign of mourning
Or the thawing of fear
Vigilance unabated

With awe we watch the hunter
Amazed by the perfection
The prey kindles no thought
A pest nothing more

Sounds slowly return
The woods come alive
Death came and left today
Forgotten and unnoticed

Jen can tell you I don't feel comfortable sharing much, but this is a tough time and I feel the need for human contact. Thank you all for being here!!!

"death came and left today"--very stirring words. What a powerful poem that puts what I feel, too, into words. Thanks for sharing!

Unomas, so much of life is not about the intelligence humans measure at their schools. It is about simple expression. You are VERY expressive and I fully admire the expression you have shared on this board. May your growth continue.

Thank you Aurena, for letting me ride your hawk's wings. Enjoyed the view.

Muji, your officer reminds me of a gangsta down the street. Quite a bright boy.

everyone - beautiful poetry!! Thank you for sharing *hugs*

Re-reading arfie's original poem again, it's "please remove" line reminded me of Lucinda Wiliams and the idea in her song "unsuffer me." Un-suffer. Would be nice if someone could un-suffer us all, huh?

Thank you.

Aurenna that is beautiful...

Arfie
You ever read Milan Kundera???
I just read a book of his called "The Curtain" about the art of writing novels.....Some of you may like it..I read his books before and i've always liked him.

You guys have a gift for words.Putting them beautifully.

Bump..