A few weeks ago I blogged about my poor relationship with poems. I often don't understand them at the depth intended by the original writer. I attribute it to having shallower feelings than most poets.
While true, there was a brief moment in my life when I made an attempt at writing some poems. I was alone with my thoughts often. I had graduated college. I was living on my own — alone. In that space, I found some time to wrestle with some thoughts (and maybe feelings) and I put them into poems — because I wanted to try to do it. Aside from school assignments, I believe I have written only three poems longer than a couple of couplets. All of them were written in that period between leaving home and getting married.
Maybe that says something. I was more emotional. Or, I was more pensive. Or, I was more frequently alone with my thoughts. Or, I just had more time. I don't know — but I ran across them again — so I will share them here.
Here is a poem during that period that I wrote after returning from a business trip. I was struck by the ubiquity of solitude in the midst of crowds.
Can we Learn?
Sitting in an Airport
The room's full of strangers
Don't you say a word ----
You'll stir up dangers.
There's a man on the left
A woman right of you
To the left stares ----
Ans she is staring, too.
What's this fear within us
that keeps us stuck inside?
Is it true that ----
inside we must reside?
Reach out and be a friend
Show others that you care
Take the time to see---
Time's just too short to stare.
I'd like to say that this poem was a catalyst for opening me up to having conversations with people I did not know and may never encounter again. In a way, it might have. If nothing else, it helped resolve the silence as a universal challenge and not one to attribute to myself alone.
The second poem is a bit longer and a little whimsical. I don't recall the exact event that may have started me thinking about this one — though it still resonates like the first poem as a universal truth. Enjoy!
One Wish
It starts as in tradition
strolling at the place
where the land meets the ocean.
When there before me in the sand
I see and lantern
engraved "Rub me with your hand"
Suddenly I wonder
Could this be true?
Then my pulse pounds like thunder.
Turning to the right
and turning to the left
there is no one in sight
With this quite clear
I begin to rub the lamp
And, yes, a genie did appear!
He spoke quite succinctly.
"My name is Ozbli.
You may have one wish that I shall grant thee."
"What shall it be young lad?
Many wishes have I granted
most of which turned out sad."
"Is it great wealth you desire?
To many I have granted this.
To what do you aspire?"
Much amazed, I began to tremble.
Shaking and stalling I asked,
"What other wishes can you assemble?"
Boldly he spoke aloud.
"A thousand requested; A thousand granted.
Of this I am quite proud."
Wishes for fame and glory,
power and might, sexual prowess
Ah!! that's a story!
"Young man, what is it now?
Make your wish and
instantly, I'll grant it that's a vow!"
I wasn't sure just how to act
"I want to make a wish
that will bring only good! That's a fact."
"I ask you new friend
what wish have you granted
that's brought only good to the end?"
For this question he had not planned.
"A thousand wishes I have granted
but good results are counted on one hand."
"A peasant asked for his mother's health.
An old man wished for peace with his children
Most, though ask for wealth."
"You ask many things
Come now, come now
What is it your desire brings?"
Stalling no more I gave my best
"Sir genie my wish is this:
Remove mankind's selfishness."
The genie gave me a long, long stare.
"A thousand wishes; a thousand granted
with not a one does this compare."
"Granting this wish would be a pleasure.
Such a miracle would indeed
make this world wonderful beyond measure."
"But try as I might this wish to grant
I takes too much to bring it about.
I'm sorry to say - I just can't.
You see my son
to grant this wish it
takes much more than one."
Then in his eyes I saw a tear
"Good luck, young lad" is all he said.
And he began to disappear.
So sorry was I to see him leave.
It can't be done!?!? It can't be done!!!?
For this fact we should all grieve.
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