I advanced into the graveyard
hang out behind granite markers,
wondered how something marks ones life,
I did not pander to my instincts
words invoked action-
I shuffled those around
things you wish you hadn't done.
so much time passed
before you knew the difference,
I looked back for flames
that I never believed in.
It is remarkable how a life is remembered with a few letters in stone..I love how you portrayed this..Jae
ReplyDeleteGood. Keep going.
ReplyDelete"wondered how something marks one´s life"
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Nicely written!
The flames of the hot place somehow burn into the subconscious, whether you believe or not! A lively piece of writing!
ReplyDelete"I did not pander to my instincts" is so powerful. This poem is very thought provoking and well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks..........cj
Epitaphs repose on gravestones and those few words there on life can rekindle those dying embers when you stand pensive before it.
ReplyDeleteI looked back for flames
ReplyDeletethat I never believed in
Yet flames finally makes us believe in them..liked your poem as usual..Gautami..
Do look at my take on these prompts ths week..
Powerful and effective. A keeper, I'd say!
ReplyDeletePerhaps those unbelieved-in flames were in a cold ashpit! Interesting poem.
ReplyDeleteMy father did not have a gravestone for quite a while after he died; it was distressing to me, as if he had never existed.
ReplyDeleteI love how the first line sets the tone for the entire piece. Heavy thoughts. Lots to ponder in these few lines.
ReplyDeleteGautami,
ReplyDeleteRead 5 poems now. All I will say it is a pleasure to read you, though little sad at times.
Take care
I think I prefer flames to the stone. Flames mark illusion?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we are all watching for those things we don't believe in.
ReplyDeleteconcrete words gautami... there's nothing like a graveyard to put our lives into perspective...
ReplyDeleteGautami,
ReplyDeleteI love graveyards so much to think about while visiting one. Nice one.
Pamela
Carefully thought out words. Especially like your shuffling of words that invoke action. And the time passing between doing and knowing the difference. And yes, I would look back as well. Thank you for this one, Gautami, it holds its own deep beauty,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
An interesting batch of images, and thoughts, unsorted but lined up anyway in a neat row that works effectively toward the conclusion.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful poem, Guatami. I love wandering in a grave yard musing on the lives of people. Here in parts of Nevada, the "OLD WEST" we have markers that read things like: Hung for cattle wrestling... So many untold stories.
ReplyDeletehttp://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/big-tent-poetry-the-gospel-according-to-st-john/
A provocative piece - superb final two lines....
ReplyDeleteThought provoking!
ReplyDeleteeerily beautiful
ReplyDeleteThose last two lines are super. Marked was a good word for you.
ReplyDeletethings you wish you hadn't done.
ReplyDeleteso much time passed
before you knew the difference,
I looked back for flames
that I never believed in
Wow. Amazing lines, Gautami.
I visited a cemetery just last week where my grandparents are buried. Similar thoughts.
Very intriguing; and emotive piece.
ReplyDelete......dhole
I often feel like a caveman regarding poetry. I appreciate it, but I feel kind of goofy when I try to comment meaningfully. But gosh, this stirred me.
ReplyDelete