I
It is not magic now, the world. Alone,
you will not share the clarity of moonlight
or the placid gardens. Now there will be no moon
that is not a reflection of the past,
mirror of solitude, a sign of sorrow.
Goodbye now to the touch of hands and bodies
that love brought close together. Now you have only
your loyal memories and the empty days.
We only lose (you vainly tell yourself)
what we do not have, what we have never had.
But, to learn the fine art of forgetting,
it is not enough to put on a brave face.
Some sign--a rose--can tear the heart from you
and a chord on a guitar can do you in.
II
I will not be happy now. It may not matter.
There are so many more things in the world.
Any random instant is as crowded
and varied as the sea. A life is brief,
and though the hours seem long, there is another
dark mystery that lies in wait for us
--death, that other sea, that other arrow
that frees us from the sun, the moon, and love.
The happiness you gave me once and later
took back from me will be obliterated.
That which was everything must turn to nothing.
I only keep the taste of my own sadness
and a vain urge that turns me to the Southside,
to a certain corner there, a certain door.
Of The Best Stuff, but Cracked
7 comments:
Dear Friend, I would think it is time, at thy young age, to learn to live, rather than learn to make a living. Thee is so concerned to find the right path to the career of plans, and yet, there are a hundred paths to that end ... more important, learn to find joy when all falls around thee ... to discipline to love, to faith, to joy... Rabbi Kook speaks of the barrier to joy in sin ... but one has to remember that in the Jewish tradition sin is not about wrong, it is about separation. We need to learn to be part of our community, part of our couple, part of our God ... and repentance, is to turn around, stop the path away from these things, and in joy take the and of thy God, thy community, thy love. The hurt in separation is cured by love, by joy, by faith ... not to dwell in pain, but put aside those things that separate thee ... put aside anger, but aside sadness, but aside all that separates thee and joy is right there at hand ... right there. Success without joy, without love, without community, without God is no success at all ... but joy, love, and God is success in itself, and how can success not follow? Turn towards real joy ... do all that needs be done, and put aside all that keeps thee from joy ... live and be joyful, it is so much easier than pain.
Always thy friend
lor
PS I can't seen to proof read tonight!!!
Hang tough, we love you Amandoufaleigh!! Padre LOVES this poet, Borges. He is after all, a compatriot of Daddy's.
Such sad poetry... Did you get the voice mail with so many of the little ones saying how much they love you! And some of the not so little ones.
We love you, come home for a visit and be pampered and spoiled by so many little hands and people who love you so much!
Mummy
Thank you for posting all of this moving poetry Amanda.
I saw Borges speak at U. Texas in the early 1970's. After lots of academic type questions, a little
girl in the front row raised her hand. He called on her, and she asked him "Es Vd. contento (Are you happy)?" He said "O! Si! Si!"
Drop by the blog and read about Carl... interesting post, I hope.
=)
lor
So..................I still don't know if you use synthetic yarns in your knitting.
The poetry you post is lovely and evocative..............like your writing.
Be well.........be kind to yourself.
Amanda:
We are trying to reach you. Please call or email us as soon as you can.
Can you call Jonathan, or Jenny or send me an email.
Love
Mummy
Capt, I sometimes use synthetics. Not often. It depends on the project. Do you knit? ;)
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