The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

MARK! about time you showed up---29 in one fell swoop. I'm off to read them now...

We don't lust for life,
it's just greed and
fear and vanity.
We don't grieve for others,

we just cry for our pathetic selves.

Colm--some of us just don't want to leave the party

indar wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:40 pm

We don't lust for life,
it's just greed and
fear and vanity.
We don't grieve for others,

we just cry for our pathetic selves.

Colm--some of us just don't want to leave the party

Linda,
These are the people who become ghosts, trapped between worlds by their reluctance to leave the party

Colm Roe wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2019 1:39 am

Linda,
These are the people who become ghosts, trapped between worlds by their reluctance to leave the party  

It could be worse.  We could be condemned to spend eternity in a 'groundhog day' version of NAPO.  Trapped in a perpetual April.

Remember, we chose to be here this month.  How many of you would be here if someone had told us we had to be here

Gyppo

Gyppo wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2019 2:34 am

Colm Roe wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 30, 2019 1:39 am

Linda,
These are the people who become ghosts, trapped between worlds by their reluctance to leave the party  

It could be worse.  We could be condemned to spend eternity in a 'groundhog day' version of NAPO.  Trapped in a perpetual April.

Remember, we chose to be here this month.  How many of you would be here if someone had told us we had to be here

Gyppo

But we were told to be here! Tracy made us do it
And he'll do it again

I believe there was some element of free will   But it can be difficult to avoid a challenge, can't it?

Gyppo

I'm winding up this year's poetry 'marathon' with something relatively short and gentle.  It's been lurking in the form of a few scribbled notes since almost the beginning.  Now it's out there, roaming the streets as it were.

You can only protect and hoard your verses for so long.  Sooner or later your 'brain children' have to leave and fend for themselves.  Sometimes we can steer or nudge the reader to a certain conclusion, other times they will find meanings we never imagined, or echoes of their own life and experiences which lift it beyond mere 'marks on a page'.

That is both the curse and the blessing of poetry.  Sometimes misunderstood, and sometimes re-understood.

It's been a glorious month, travelling with you all.

Thank you.

=====

NAPO 30 - 2019

I could take a bus ride

I could take a bus ride,
travel to the place she lived,
and roam the streets.

Maybe pass her in the crowd,
each of us unrecognised,
unaware, and never knowing.

I could visit her last known address
and maybe knock on the door,
possibly finding an echo of her life.

Or perhaps I should stay at home,
pen in hand, 
and just enjoy the memories.

For I am older now, half-set in my ways,
and my chair, like my memories,
is mostly comfortable.

Gyppo

Bittersweet Gyppo.
A nice gentle way to finish your 30.

Hello all. I will comment more later, but I have to be away from home for a while today.

Atop Trail Ridge Road

The mountains laugh
as sunshine spills
from an azure sky.

Columbines and lupines
dance in the wind,
taunting boulders
for their immobilioty.

Atop the world,
I stare down
upon a frozen lake,
then tilt back my head,

spread my arms,
spin,
breathe in,
a Rocky Mountain High.

ajduclos wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:37 am

written yesterday as a gift for my granddaughter's birthday...

Day 22  
 

On Brooke's 18th  

And it came to pass
that the young are born
and the old get older 

life in between is filled and fast. 

The best years, those-
live     learn     love
wrapped in much invincibility
immortality
tempered by touches of insecurity
fragility. 

When times are easy and bright
when times are tough and dark
in all times
your family is always here
always arms opened wide
welcoming you inside
no judgments
only unconditional love. 

And someday if the stars align
you'll have children of your own.  


But for now
today here's my wish
my admonition
my counsel
for you
Pépère's sweet girl:

Follow your Heart
Listen closely
It will never lead you astray 

Journey hand in hand with your Muse 

You are an artist
And your life a canvas
Use your paints and brushes
Color outside the lines 

There are no limits
But the limitations
You place on yourself 

Spread your wings and fly 

Soar!  


And it came to pass
 
   

Ahh, the words, the honesty. This is special Aj... Outstanding writing everyone.. I am humbled, truly..