another day of burgeoning
earthly burdens … I grow older
… and it is as though …
the last drops of tranquility
are trickling from my heart …
such are these inglorious times …
and yet … I cannot believe …
that we are born … we endure …
we gather wisdom … we are moved …
we love … we nurture a soul …
only to arrive … miserable …
at journey’s end … only to eschew
that which is all around us ...
no … it cannot be
so …
look here ... in the light of day …
see how the mighty fir trees
sway … their ruffling boughs,
green and buoyant against
a splendorous sky …
and there … a glaucous-winged
gull soars … higher … higher …
with stunning flight of grace …
towards mesmeric spirit clouds …
all this … and more … there …
to fill the heart with joy
~ ~ ~ this day
~ ~ ~
photo: This Day - B. Bourke
© 2018 Wendy Bourke
I agree that at this point in our lives there should be tranquility, but this is not to be (unfortunately). These "inglorious" times prevent this, I think. I am frightened, disillusioned, and miserable about the present state of affairs. Yet, I think we must continue to try to emulate that gull you mentioned, to fly ever higher, to try to rise above. It won't be easy, but we must. Yes, we must!
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have lost a certain dignity nowadays.
ReplyDeleteas though …
ReplyDeletethe last drops of tranquility
are trickling from my heart …
... that resonated deep. I'm going to be with these lines for a long time.
I love the tone and tune of the higher call as shown by soaring gulls in spite of the inglorious time in which we are embedded as it were.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful celebration of being in the moment
ReplyDeleteWe need to have those moments... maybe we can grow stronger from just turning our eyes upward sometimes. The times are challenging in so many ways---
ReplyDeleteHow important it is we should live by our chosen standards and not swayed by the rhetoric of spectres in the night. We know what good governance is and hope that can be achieved again soon.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is still beauty. Yes, we can still have moments of joy. An important reminder.
ReplyDeleteThe state of the world today really can leave us feeling defeated and wondering if this is all there is. Thank goodness for those moments of communion with nature for giving our hearts much needed peace.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stunning!! Especially love the image; " their ruffling boughs, green and buoyant against a splendorous sky."💖
ReplyDeleteYour poem is a reminder that there is still beauty and joy even in the difficult moments of life. I know at times it can be difficult to take in the view.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that our burdens seem to weigh us/wear us down more as we age and I do so worry for those I will leave behind, hope that humanity will emerge once more, where kindness is the goal we all seek. But I don’t know that it will…
ReplyDeleteBut I can look out of my window and see the joy you see and that is indeed a comfort.
Anna :o]
I love this poem so much because i feel exactly the same way. We lived through all the marches that brought us so far, only to see this big mistake of a bozo throwing it all away. However he is temporary, as long as every single person votes and SOMEHOW no one messes with the election. Big "if". My heart soared up with your beautiful gull, and the gorgeous last half of your poem. That is the beauty that is keeping me alive right now. Wendy, this is a gorgeous and important poem.
ReplyDeleteWe must always remember and return to the beauty that will always be there. There is beauty in everything, even the negatives.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like to think I am only open for the "joy." Loved your poem. I agree with Sherry, "gorgeous and important."
ReplyDelete"...That's right it can't be so.. it is so much brighter than that.
ReplyDeletewell put.
ZQ
We can dwell on the cup half empty, or the cup half full. So much about us to fill the cup. Provocative write!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful. I absolutely love the turn in the sixth stanza.
ReplyDeleteThe look beyond returns our solace. We can deal with the reality without being smothered by it
ReplyDeleteMuch💟love
We can still soar high, Wendy. Challenging may wear us but we can still channel the positive. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday Wendy
ReplyDeletemuch love...
You have shown me how to teach myself to look at the silver lining with this poem. Captured the inner conflict very well. Loved the usage of ....
ReplyDeleteAn interesting and honest line to sum up the feeling of growing old:
ReplyDelete'the last drops of tranquility
are trickling from my heart'.
all this … and more … there …
ReplyDeleteto fill the heart with joy
There is so much to look forward to. To think we are all deserving, Wendy!
Hank
Sad truth..that's the current situation around us. Yet, there are things that keep our hopes alive. Perfectly captured.
ReplyDeleteTies into Mary's poem today as well...the small things, the little joys..we should find them and find them to be enough...
ReplyDeleteI also thinks that this ties so well into Mary's poem... the simple joys... I just visited my mother-in-law... and she find joy in small things... it's only when she's in too much pain that it's really too hard for her... we try to bring her food and cook something good for her.
ReplyDeleteI love this poem so much. Nature's beauty has sustained and thrilled me my whole life long. It astounds me how, having been given this beautiful planet, we treat it and its living creatures, including ourselves, so poorly. I love those lines about looking up at the trees. One of your finest, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspiring and up lifting. You paid homage to nature with such eloquence.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful and powerful write. A fine piece, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunrise!
ReplyDeleteZQ
half full is more powerful than half empty
ReplyDeleteNature always soothes and helps take away our worries, if only for a few moments. I don't know what I'd do without my walks in nature.
ReplyDeletethis is a good and gentle reminder. that in the most uncertain of times, we must not be defeated.
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful piece, with a great message.
ReplyDelete