Sunday, March 15, 2015

The Sunday Whirl/Don't Be a Monkey/ Poets Pantry

Don't Be a Monkey

leaves rustling        as they are blown down                                    the dry creek bed

looking for rocks         some in the shape of hearts                  some exactly like eggs

tears roll down my cheeks          it would be blasphemy            to say anything i could have done                   

would have changed the outcome            still i have regrets                      am plagued by wishes

the deck was dealt           the future was written as sure               as if it had been written in stone

the leaves dried                     crumbled                                             and fell from my hands

nothing to keep but my memories                                                  which I have tied in a blue cloth

we travel this way only once           if there is a chance to be anything else          don't be a monkey

sleeping the day away in the branches            if the plague is at hand                                  be smart

head for the hills               where the air is sweet                         and your children will be safe

what is done has been done                              and now you drag it along like a puppy on a string

March 15, 2015










19 comments:

nan said...

I love what you did with these words! The structure, too, is really interesting. I especially liked this part:

if there is a chance to be anything else don't be a monkey

sleeping the day away in the branches if the plague is at hand be smart

head for the hills where the air is sweet and your children will be safe

brudberg said...

We can never escape that sorrow.. we can just keep looking for the path.. lovely Annell

scotthastiepoet said...

How interesting Annell - your work is always so fresh and carries depth and an artistic sensibility too... Always enjoy my visit - thank you... With Best Wishes Scott www.scotthastie.com

Mary said...

This is one of my favorites of yours, Annell. It can be read on many different levels. If only we could all head for the hills where the air is sweet & be safe....from everything!

Sumana Roy said...

" still i have regrets am plagued by wishes"...so deeply touching & heartbreaking...

Anonymous said...

We all have wishes and regrets, They might grow heavy as we head for the hills thinking of being safe, but safety has its own cost, like everything else. Beautifully woven Annell, and this form really suits you,

Elizabeth

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Yes, we always think of what we should have/could have done. Regret hurts. So does missing one so beloved. I love the idea of us dragging what has been done along like a puppy on a string.........great description, as it does keep tripping us up, just like puppies do.

C.C. said...

I love the imagery in this and the universalism of having regrets....that ending too...wow, dragging it along like a puppy on a string...powerful! This is one of my absolute favorites of yours :-)

C.C. said...

I love the imagery in this and the universalism of having regrets....that ending too...wow, dragging it along like a puppy on a string...powerful! This is one of my absolute favorites of yours :-)

C.C. said...

I love the imagery in this and the universalism of having regrets....that ending too...wow, dragging it along like a puppy on a string...powerful! This is one of my absolute favorites of yours :-)

Donna@LivingFromHappiness said...

Deep images and heartfelt regret....powerful

Old Egg said...

The burden of memories is very heavy and we drag them around with us for the rest of our lives. They are both cherished and cursed and we cling to them because they are ours. It is no help to know others have theirs too as ours are very precious to us alone.

Kathy Reed said...

Talking to ourselves is good, but then we must let go and see what happens when we do..nice piece.

Kathy Reed said...

Talking to ourselves is good, but then we must let go and see what happens when we do..nice piece.

humbird said...

Love the encouraging thoughts here...'head for the hills' - the way....keep memory but let the soul to pick the new road ~ Always love your poetic form, Annell

Jae Rose said...

Yes..it is all too tempting to drag the past along with us but as you say that can be a monkey on the back...a wise and touching poem..more than anything i wish it wasn't so..

flaubert said...

Annell, what a sorrowful and visual write. I hope you are doing okay, my friend.

Pamela ox

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

There's always the chance, I think, to be something other than a monkey, but actually grabbing the chance is sometimes a tricky thing.

Another Baja Whirl

Brian Miller said...

i found the end so sad...dragging along like a puppy on a string...though we do afterward...and wonder how we could have changed things...putting so much power and responsibility on ourselves...

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