A new poem, and some philosophy.
It's been quite a while since I've published a new original poem- most of my thoughts were written down when I was a much younger man. I turned away from using words to express myself- people change, and new concepts assume a greater importance than the old.
I've had a rich, full life in many ways. I've been many places and I've seen many things (although I've traveled a bit, it's never been enough), and I've met many people and made many friends. I've had more than my share of lovers. I've had several working careers over the years, and I've always managed to pay my own rent and drive my own car (these things are important!). Some here may know I've been close to death. I've also been close to blindness. I've experienced prolonged pain on a level I sincerely hope no one here feels. I've lost the full use of my legs, and I know that I will spend the rest of my life depending on others for my daily needs.
Big deal.
I've been a poet, an artist, and a writer, each in turn. I've done manual labor and I've had desk jobs. Although some of that has been taken from me by age and other factors, I still have my mind (even though my memory has been turned to mush by years of medications) and I will use it until I die.
I'm not bragging. I'm not trying to convince you I'm special in any way- everyone here can claim enough unique experience to leave me in the shadows. I guess my point is that I hope you all appreciate your lives as much as I appreciate mine. Live it. Learn from it. Love it. Enjoy it.
I sure do!
Hope you enjoy the poem. I know it still needs a lot of work. Nonetheless, here it is.
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I Am Alive
Thrown into the raging river of life
I swim through the currents of possibilities.
They shoot past too fast for me to grab them all!
The sound is utter chaos-
so loud the noise of life,
so beautiful the song of living,
so fast the throb of the river's heart-
Too many ideas shouting out for me to know them all,
too many concepts to ever call my own.
Sweet madness, sings the rapids rushing past
from deep inside my head- I want to learn to swim
so I can see and know it all!
But the tune is is so complex,
the counterpoint so fine-
I know I'll never master life but that's okay by me.
Nobody ever does- there simply isn't time.
I'll swim as long as I can breathe,
until my soul is claimed.
I'll ride the waves until I sink-
I'll endure the storms as long as I have strength-
I'll hold on tight to what I am.
I'll laugh!
I'll yell!
I'll sing!
I'll dance!
I'll cry!
I'll love-
I'll BE.
BECAUSE I AM ALIVE!
© 2014 Steven A. Hessler
All Rights Reserved
= new reply since forum marked as read
I like your poem, even though, yes, it does need work. Hell, mine do too. But it captures your heart as you live. And that matters, so much.
I love the fact that even though you're in pain and dependent on others, you are living fully. Your art and your poetry give you outlets for your creative energy.
You refuse to allow your problems to stop you, and for that, I salute you!
