An Amber Moment

This poem actually has meaning to it. It is not one of a type of poem I will introduce you to later, my word-salad nonsense poems where you feel like you can almost understand them, but something was lost in translation. I have several of those I am very fond of, but this is not one of them. This actually describes a moment I lived through the other day and the resolution, which came over a much longer period of time than suggested by the poem. Truth be told it is vague, because I like to create pictures and play with words. Sometimes I think I am simply obfuscating for obfuscation's sake. Frankly it is fun to do. I also fell in love when I was younger with a technique the bards used, particularly in Beowulf. Instead of the ocean they would say whale-road. there were other examples, but that one stuck in my mind (I think they were called koans, or something like that). I often like to put this kind of descriptive word pattern in a poem to replace a much more mundane word. In the end, the meaning you take from this poem, or any of my poems for that matter, may be much removed from what I was thinking. That is good. What I like to do is describe with ferocious intensity a moment or thought or feeling. Then I let you apply that to your own moments or thoughts or feelings. The vagueness makes up for the difference between our individual experiences. You may not have been where I have been, but you have felt what I have felt. I like to leave them open to interpretation. If anyone were to ever read this little blog, and so far I see no evidence that anyone has, and were to request an interpretation, I would be happy to oblige. For me, though, these poems are a bit of sleight of hand/illusion, if you will. Telling is like...telling. Once you know how it is done it isn't as exciting. So if you ask, I am too much of a compulsive "self-exposer" to refrain from sharing the thoughts behind them to you, but don't say I didn't warn you. The sparkle is oftentimes best preserved with a handful of pixie-dust and a visit from the Blue Fairy.

The Present

The door opened, piped-tobacco-stained air wafted through the room
A hint of smoky autumn leaves, hot cider, sepia skies and skin
This medusa blast, tears frozen drip, all else stiffens within
Movement amnesia'd, shattering promise made, eyes be-rheumed

This was-flood, this cut-course kaleidoscope, Mesmer's magnet made
Cloying fog descends, meaning-theft mist, edges blurred, all is indistinct
Walk forward with objective unrecalled, purpose expelled, destination extinct
Time unfeckled, strength beshackled, moments' cards: bluffed, called, arrayed.

And then,
pencil-thin,
diamond-pinned-Now pricks in.
Stretched film retracts within.
Clarity returns again.
The present wherein
the future begins
tunes in.

Snakeskin sloughs away, looking to today and what may come, may come
Journey of am and are is seen, beauty hidden between, the was is done, is done
Restart to go, whereto unknown, but flow on, flow on
The gift of is, the eternal gee-whiz, light of peace is shown, has shone

This is

written November 27, 2007 by Jeff Couch

Something a little meatier

This poem is a few years old. Old enough for me to read it with new eyes. I don't remember exactly what I was refering to, but the mood, the feeling and some of the things I say give me an idea. I would tell you, but that would spoil it. This is a kind of poem I like in that it doesn't force a meaning on you, but allows you to apply the sentiment to your situation. I hope you enjoy.

Some Times

It happens sometimes with a flash and a bang
a crash and a bash and a fall
It happens sometimes with an echoing thump
Sometimes it doesn't happen at all

I see you sometimes with soft, butter-skin
velvet-tinged, bright, beautiful, fair
I see you sometimes, wise and wonderful
Sometimes you're not even there

Sometimes it creaks...
Sometimes it cries...
Sometimes it wanders...
Sometimes it whines...
Sometimes it slips...
Sometimes it snaps...
Sometimes it cuddles up
cradled soft in my lap

And when I waver
Careening cross the room
When I savor
Groans of hearts doom
There you sit with a quizzical cast
No light in your eyes
No grin, no laugh

And you wonder what I wonder that sigh thunder
The truth hides under that lie pondered, questioned, why
Ponder, question
Why
Why
Does it happen sometimes
...
...
It happens sometimes when no one is looking
when happiness sometimes is calmed
and suddenly the fear that has sprung up near
springs roots and cannot be harmed

Sometimes it happens with pain and short breaths,
with curling and cramping and crushingness
Sometimes it happens as I hide in four walls
Sometimes it doesn't happen at all
Sometimes it doesn't happen at all
Sometimes...
don't happen at all

written 7/06/00 by Jeff Couch