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author’s note:
Another drop.
NOT EVANESCENT
Lao Tzu said
the Ancient Sages
were as evanescent
as icicles.
How can that be?—
according to the dictionary
“evanescent” means:
here one moment and gone the next.
But ages have passed
and the words of the sages still live.
I can’t expect the same good fortune
so as my icicle dwindles down
drop…by drop…by drop…by drop
I’m trying to come to terms with the loss
by repeating these lines to myself:
after I’m gone
whatever I’ve given
(whatever that may be)
will remain in our well—
perhaps hidden underground
but there, nonetheless.
Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
Not to be confused with the song of the same name.
The weight in the poem is a different type of burden than the one described in the song. Heavier.
THE WEIGHT
In the dream
I carried the world on my shoulders
and felt unfairly burdened
until I looked around the crowd
and saw how everyone else also struggled
to remain upright.
The weight just might break the human race.
Some say
the weight comes from the knowledge
death always watches
and may suddenly become impatient.
Some say the same in another way—
they say
the weight comes from
our distrust of the world—
the instinct that keeps us alive.
Yes—
I feel myself wrapped inside
that state of mind
except in those moments
when the stronger me breaks free.
In the openness of release
I may again experience
the unknown enormity
of a sky and planet so grand.
At such times
life seems much too much—
even in peace the weight stays with me.
So
since I can’t get rid of the weight
I’ve decided to embrace the burden—
I tell myself:
if you didn’t feel the weight
you wouldn’t struggle so hard to be strong.
Get the Message: a short guide for understanding dreams
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2023, Michael R. Patton
author’s note:
While you give to me and I give to you
True love, true love
— “True Love”, Cole Porter
THE TREE SPEAKS TO THE TREE HUGGER
As a tree, I can see
you now fight the need
to release your abundant burden of love.
But please, surrender:
encircle me with your weary arms—
I am here to accept your offering.
As a tree, I know
you struggle because
after so much hurt
you dare not touch
anything at all.
You’re trying to escape—
you’ve numbed the pain
you’ve numbed the love.
Neither living nor dead—
you’re one more lost ghost.
But I trust your higher instinct—
I trust
your irrepressible desire for life
will eventually lift you above your fear.
Nonetheless
this separation pains me.
Yes, humans need trees
but trees also need humans—
I’m only complete when I can be
what I am meant to be:
I need to serve up comfort
to people who need
to serve up their love.
I give breath to you—
you give breath to me.
Not just the physical breath—
neither one of us can live long without
the spiritual breath of the heart.
finding Beauty: poetry book
myth steps blog
dream steps blog
you tube channel
© 2023, Michael R. Patton
author’s note: Another mirror. ARMADILLO MIRROR I try so hard to see but seem to make little progress except when some sight jolts my eyes open to another obvious secret. As on that night when I stood gazing at a half-moon while lamenting my lack of accomplishment until a rustling sound suddenly pulled me out of the clouds-- down on the lawn I found an armadillo rummaging through the leaves. Fascinated I watched that little armored grubber trundling along on its bitty legs: a dwarf clawing for its life in the medieval dark. Such resolve! An irrepressible spirit! Thriving despite all the hardships-- an accomplishment, to be sure. As that creature is, so are you-- I whispered this secret to myself as if channeling a deep soul. But before my pride could rise too high I was struck again by another realization: yes, it’s found a way to survive but eventually, shells limit us-- as any bird chick will tell you. Can I ever convince myself I’m strong enough to live free from this cell? Will we ever convince ourselves we’re strong enough?
finding Beauty: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2022, Michael R. Patton
Michael Patton
sky rope (subterranean rappel) 