Monday, July 24, 2017

On the Other Side of My Eyelids



author’s note:

I believe we're all working in the same way...

...and we never retire.


ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY EYELIDS

Years ago, I woke to find
a whirling circle of sun-fire
descending from a fog
hovering above me--

threatening
yet harmonious--
like the aerial view of a hurricane:
a swirling blaze
of orange and gold tentacles
spiraling
into a cool aqua eye.

I felt myself lift--drawn in
despite the fire

and in sudden response
the eye expanded
to envelop my vision
so I could know
how the soft surface hue
deepens down into
a well of cobalt blue--

ominous and yet
I wanted to dive in

but in an instant--by instinct--
I shut my shocked eyes

and found relief
for my palpitating heart
in that old familiar darkness

however...
amid the growing stillness
I could sense
the awakening desire
of a higher instinct.

In answer
I tried to open again
but soon learned:
I'd not yet earned
more than that brief glimpse.

Ever since
I've worked to build
the strength needed
to accept
that which I want
yet fearfully reject.

Yes--
in fatigue, I often sloth

but even then
I can sense the mystery lurking
on the other side of my eyelids

so I remain tantalized...

driven.

© 2017, Michael R. Patton
Glorious Tedious Transformation: a poetry book

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Sunday, July 16, 2017

Grind Down Fine



author's note:

He's so fine
Do-lang do-lang do-lang
      -- "He's So Fine", lyric by Ronald Mack


GRIND DOWN FINE

Now I can accept
the feeling of being lost
as I walk this land--
now I can accept
the feeling
of shouldering a burden

because I have accepted
these beliefs:

my steps, though confused, have a purpose--
a hidden path, a plan:

just look how strong I've grown

with the weight of this unseen stone
on my back--
a stone incessantly turning.

Yeah
the stone grinds me down
as it turns
but as I lose
so much of what I was
the finer me
I'm meant to be
is slowly unveiled

plus I leave a trail--

imagine a trail of corn meal
others may feed upon
and follow

if they feel lost
if they need sustenance
if they struggle
to accept this path
--this burden:

they can feed on me
just as I've fed on many
who've gone before me

they can feed on us
just as those who follow them
will feed on them--

yes
like you, like me
they will leave
a trail of corn meal
as they find their way--

as they
grind down fine.


© 2017, Michael R. Patton
Searching for My Best Beliefs: a poetry book

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Wednesday, July 05, 2017

The Way to The Kingdom



author's note:

In my experience, dreams don't lie.


THE WAY TO THE KINGDOM

Last night I wished
to escape on the beach

but a dream came to pain me
with golden possibility.

In the scene I was both slave and king

but the king slumped--
useless in his sleep

and so
the slave had to carry his master
through dark forests
through swamps

but found enough strength
in this belief:

as long as he ventured forth
with sincere intent
whatever direction he chose
would return them
to the kingdom

then the king would awaken
and he, his servant
would no longer live as slave.

This dream might seem to be
little more
than a fanciful child's tale

nonetheless
when I woke from it
I knew again
how lost I usually feel

but also
the strength of my hope.


© 2017, Michael R. Patton
Searching for My Best Beliefs: a poetry book

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