I was young
All that
mattered
Were dreams and raised
middle fingers
Tearing down all
that existed
Without respect
or understanding
Until there was
escape.
It’s simply the
path you’re on
The direction
that the road takes
Is the life you
make
The etchings
state
Footprints on
paper
Ink spots fading
And digital
traces lost.
Editing is only
possible
After tracks are
laid down
Wrinkles in the
sand
The teacher was
only reciting
I/we discovered
And though I
never listened
The only lessons
that counted
Were the ones
where I fell hard on my face.
Yet, I grew to
seek answers
And wisdom
Expecting to
find it in elders
And lyrics
threading through sages documented
Buried below
concrete
Trodden on within view
Yet the black
falls
Before the day
is full
And I’m left shouting
into the void
Searching for …
(if only I knew
…).
The same echo returns
Which shouldn’t
surprise me
But it makes me
feel tired and old
And realisation
is a slow gut surge betrayal
Who knew it
would come around this fast?
Blisters full
With red popping
valley sunrise
Bursting hopes
Dispersing
liberty.
And here we are.
More poems here.
(Poem AJL 2012)
My Books
Great poem Anthony, one of your better ones. I liked the lines about teachers just reciting, and about the search for answers. Your intial lines about raised middle fingers echo comments of mine made just a few minutes ago, about an immature bikie (is there any other kind?) on the front page of the Age with a two raised middle fingers. I liked the pictures too, the lone trees preparing to weather a storm, a trail that wanders backwards and forwards in search of a destination.
ReplyDeleteI agree Graham this is a really powerful poem my favourite lines are:
ReplyDeleteThe only lessons that counted
Were the ones where I fell hard on my face
Thank you for sharing it with us Anthony
And I’m left shouting into the void
ReplyDeleteSearching for …
(if only I knew …)
Classic line Anthony! So damn true. Full of angst and no idea why.
I love this one because I felt it and I lived it...
"The only lessons that counted
ReplyDeleteWere the ones where I fell hard on my face."
I see that Anonymous especially liked these lines too.
How you find so many beautiful ways to express humanity through verse, amazes me. Very well done, my friend. You're a gift.
xoRobyn
Thank you so much for your very generous comments. So nice of you all. I'm glad it found some resonance. Thank you for taking the time out to read. It means the world to me. :)
ReplyDeleteGood one. All true. Youth sees black and white. Older and older sees grayness and not just the older grayness. Did I think,feel and do that !
ReplyDeleteHim
P.S. Great choice of photos in relation to your poem.It gives a visual impact.
ReplyDeleteHim