The Phoenix Relaxes Before Rising from the Ashes

author’s note:

I feel I’m living in a phoenix country...but maybe I’m living in a phoenix world.


THE PHOENIX RELAXES BEFORE RISING FROM THE ASHES

I am the phoenix bird
and I’m here to tell you a secret:
after each crash
I enjoy a short break
before rising from the ashes:

a part of me just wants to relax--
why fight
if no victory can ever be final?

But though I find comfort
in the soft gray nest at first
soon, I start to feel dull and dim

and so, begin to work
to rekindle my fire--
by now I know how.

And when I’m able to fly away
I’ll tell myself what I tell myself
every time I rise up:
be careful not to burn too hot.

Maybe someday I’ll obey
that wisdom within me--
though I may not feel
the same fiery thrill
at least I won’t crash.

But I wonder--
do I secretly desire
that archetypal drama?

33 1/3 New Fables & Myths
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Listening to the Stormy Beast

author’s note:

Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better.
               -- Samuel Beckett


LISTENING TO THE STORMY BEAST

Though I don’t
strike out at the world
sometimes in frustration
I do strike at myself

especially when
I try again and fail again
to resolve
some grievance I’ve carried too long.
Then I’ll wonder if
I can ever become
the better me I wish to be.

But at such times, sometimes
I will sit and listen down deep
and beneath my growling I will hear
the grief of a wounded beast

then in empathy
I will surrender
the lightning bolt
I’ve aimed at myself.

Painful listening, yes
but the lightning strike
would feel worse.

I say:
if someone in such conflict
can manage to pacify
their rumbling beastly storm
we’ve good reason to feel hope
for our squalling human world.

mythsteps · Listening to the Stormy Beast

Listening to Silence: poetry ebook
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

My Own Tornado

author’s note:

Never a dull moment.


MY OWN TORNADO

Yes, I’m constantly dizzy
but I believe
this vertigo indicates I’m spinning up--
revolving.
Yes, I’m in a revolution:

I’m rising up in rebellion
against an enemy within--
going round and round
as I wrestle a low cowardice
trying to hold me down.

This battle is a battle for peace
so I’m actually working beyond myself--
I’m one among an army of wrestlers
fighting to stop the destruction
of a world made dizzy
by its own tornado.

Bolstered by this belief
I’m able to endure
the nausea
the constant blur--

I’m able to keep on struggling up.

Common Courage: poetry ebook
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Surrender to the Ice Cube

author’s note:

“Be cool, baby”
          -- anonymous


SURRENDER TO THE ICE CUBE

When the heat of conflict builds within…

I can prevent explosion
by rubbing an ice cube
across my forehead--
moving it in slow circles
right to left
then left to right.

Yes, an ordinary cube can soothe me
mentally and emotionally.

Yet I often forget
to apply this medicine
when it's most needed.

Why is that?

Maybe as a baby
I became aggrieved
at our unjust world
and that angry baby
still cries in pain
and occasionally tries
to seize control
and make its deep wound known.

But after I flare
the adult I am
feels remorse--
embarrassed.
Small.
Even when I win, I lose.

So I’m determined to become
the type of person who always
stops to apply
the tonic of the ice cube
before the moment combusts.

That’s why I keep
listening down deep--
I need to hear
so I can heal
the old newborn wailing
somewhere under all those ashes.

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33 1/3 New Fables & Myths
© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Mad Monkey

author’s note:

I tried to shadow box and got knocked out.


MAD MONKEY

Though rarely shown in public
that little demon shouts its rage
throughout the day
in the shadows of my mind--
urging me to retaliate
against a donkey world.

I’ve tried to quiet that bastard
by shutting him up in a box
but though small, he’s quite mighty
and rebels against such tyranny
by breaking every lock I devise.

So now I’m trying to learn
how to use that fierce obstinate energy
in the service of good.

He hates obstacles--he hates “no”.
So maybe he can help pull me
up this mountain--

if I can ease that mad monkey
into the harness
he could become a fire horse.

If I can’t
he’ll just keep on running
ragged circles in my mind--
devouring the best of my thought.

mythsteps · Mad Monkey

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© 2022, Michael R. Patton

Fable of the Fool who Kicked

author’s note:

I’m embarrassed to say: based on a true story.


FABLE OF THE FOOL WHO KICKED

Considering
all the obstinate obtuse obstacles
I’ve encountered on this path...

I naturally felt frustrated
at that librarian kneeling in the aisle
between the bookshelves--
he must have known
I stood behind him, waiting to pass.

So I felt justified in giving him
a little kick on the heel of his shoe--
after all, I’d been told:
you must assert your rights as an individual!

Only later did I see:
I’d wanted to ease the pain
of so many losses
by scoring a small win
in the history section.

But as soon as my toe hit his heel
the violence of the act, though slight
awoke my higher self.
As if by instinct, I felt ashamed.
Again, I saw:
causing hurt does not cure your hurt.

So even though that humble man said
"oh excuse me"
I rushed to declare
"I'm terribly sorry—please forgive me!"

Later at home
I tried to relieve my guilt
by making right foot strike left foot--

once...twice...
then I realized:
instead of kicking just one person
I’d now kicked two.

As I relate this story
I’m embarrassed
but not discouraged

if we grow through humility
maybe by retelling this tale

I’ve grown just a little closer
to becoming
a fool who never aims his toe--
or better yet:
one who doesn’t even want to kick.

mythsteps · Fable of the Fool who Kicked

33 1/3 New Fables & Myths: ebook
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© 2022, Michael R. Patton