Untying My Lines

author’s note:

What a feat of endurance our life is.


UNTYING MY LINES

Alexander the Great
solved the problem of the Gordian knot
with one stroke of his sword
but

I’ve learned from experience
I can’t sever these bindings
with such suddenness--
no
I must talk to my knots

with extreme patience--
respectfully coaxing
all those fists open--
no use shouting
hurry up!

The fingers will only uncoil slowly.

I suppose
we need time to adjust
to the release of energy
held in their shadow.

But though I know I’ve no choice
I still feel frustrated

and so, try to comfort myself
with this knowledge:
a rope untied in that tedious way
becomes a strong line going out--
out into the world.

© 2020, Michael R. Patton
Poet, Heal Thyself: poetry ebook

Story of the Woman Who Grew

author's note:

A poem of resurrection for Easter.


STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO GREW

Allow me to tell you
the story of the woman
who escaped a trap
by chewing off her arm.

For years afterward, she hid the wound—
she didn’t want anyone to pity her

especially those men
who wished to lend a hand.
She gave them all her foot
because instinctively, she knew:

she could never find her power
in the arms of another.
Deep within
she understood:

by dealing with her deficit
she’d become stronger
as she worked her way
through this world.

And so she dealt.
And in the process
learned so much.
She learned:

you must grieve
but not too much—too much
and you’ll be too weak
to deal with the loss.

She learned
you must shrink small things
so you can carry the large.

She learned
how to look into the mirror.

And so, in time, she saw
that she’d grown a new arm!—

as long and as strong
as her other arm
which had grown
longer and stronger
during her education.

She saw:
she could now reach all the way up
and squeeze sweet rainwater
from that dark ripe cloud.

And when she put her hands together
and formed a circle with her arms
what a circumference!—
what a big embrace!

But she’s not done yet, no—
now, she wonders:

could my span grow even more?

© 2020, Michael R. Patton
poet, heal thyself: poetry ebook

No More Acts of God

author’s note:

“Tonight‘s forecast...dark.”
          -- George Carlin


NO MORE ACTS OF GOD

I say we stop
blaming our gods or God
for "Acts of God".

As the flood waters rise
and the winds try to rip us apart
better to admit:
it's our own damn fault.

With the sword stroke of those words
we can reclaim our power.

When our patient angels
see us using our strength
they'll cease their weeping

and lift us as we work
to save this world
from the flaws of our species.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
I'm Responsible: a pessimistic optimist responds to the trouble of his times

Great Hermitage of Gray

author’s note:

I keep learning from old dreams.


GREAT HERMITAGE OF GRAY

Years ago in a dream
I saw the truth of my room:

the walls and floor, all dull gray--
even the light motes drifting
down from the ceiling:
dense gray.

Since that vision, I've worked
to escape my gray place
and maybe I have--because
though I still see
scary things in my dreams
I witness nothing so monotone.

But ever so often
in my waking hours
I revisit the room
because as a human being
I want to understand

and if I can raise myself
when I return
I'll again realize
the beauty and benefit
of that hermitage:

though gray, the sun rays
pour down from a skylight

and those high walls
create a great space--
an austere cathedral.

Oppressive, yes, but
power held in check
can build in strength
as our desire to break out
--to bloom--
grows in intensity.

I've still much to learn
but at least now I know why
I needed that gray room.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
what I learned while alone: poetry ebook