Idle Flashings

though the flow falters in the second last 3 stanzas. Perhaps have a look at that? it’s a long time... spaces stillness always there awkward hiding places all the hats I wear it’s ok, though rife with mistakes that shade the light no ordinary book this life not meant to end aright but in the still times … I burn just a thought cheers, Jess Forever unwrapping the eternal present.

Richard, this is brilliant. You've written many good ones, but I think this is your best. I keep wanting to read it as "it's a long time between spaces...." Linda

What a write I can see anger and confidence. I must admit a great write. Please continue enticing us with your poetry

Jeez Richard If these are flashes -they are of brilliance! Hot dog! Like this one a lot. You've got rhythm here baby> Lots of twisted bits of cynicism in there too - but with the voice of resignation "a book (this life) not meant to end right. ( loved that allegorical description.) Liked the postive affirmation/passion "the Burn" there's life in them there hills buddy! THIS is one of your better ones! Well done Bonita j ps. This is a double star set - full blown 10!

Never throw out the baby with the bathwater. I am not right. I am just Jess, who stands up against all messiahs and lightning storms with a half brick in his hand

Hi Rich Hope you don't mind me calling you Rich, my brothers name is Richard I always called him Rich, more homely. Your poem is very heart felt and passionate, that's what makes good poetry. Poetry is a form of self discovery it seems to clarify how we feel - or it does for me anyway - I find it strangly comforting, ( think I must be weird ). Anyway I think this poem draws deeply from the well of your life. lovely Mand

Well, I love this, for it's story, it has landscape in the telling & is extremely personal, though as with most things, we can always find familiarity in each others writes (well, not always actually, but often). My concentration is down so I apologize for not being as clear as I could... it is the feel though that I love here, in the end as poets, it is the picture we leave in the memory perhaps that is important, & you leave a warm, deep impression of reflection & longing, expectations unfed, & graceful acceptance that still allows room for future possibility. Really nice, glad I found this here xxx~ Anni ~~~ "Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good; that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond o

but in the still times ...I burn How I can relate to these lines... And yes, I wear many "hats", too, don't we all? I also love the first stanza, "all I have is my word", yes, my word is my last refuge, that which no one can take away from me, a tool, a weapon, and my greatest source of joy. Hope to see this in spotlight soon! Yours, ~Nina

The truth of every line washed over me like a gentle wave. I feel much the same as the message of this poem and wear many different "hats" too, and yes, in the still times I do burn. Always, Cat

or follow your feet..that will stay with me. in ink, David

Perhaps I can return a favour and say welcome back. You are missed when you leave such space where you belong. There is a comfort that you write your own story. It inspires others who might otherwise write about Agamemnon, or Isis, or Ra yet again, and those ghosts need no further preening of furred remainders. There are these natural oscillations. Where there is uncertainty, there must be challenge. There are no errors in oscillations: they are like waves of light, or electromagnetic lines, which do not wonder if they should be in line. Your poem tells of the challenge of choice. And how our good nature is always present for each choice. But paradox is always present too, and one cannot honour, as one wishes, all equally and concurrently. Olya has a continuing love affair with equality and equity. Sometimes we clash over these lovers of hers which she sees similarly. My answer is always the same: equality is not equity and equity is not equal, either treatment or time or words or deeds. The oscillations are always there, lifting and floating and weighing and setting down. So the Oscillation moves, and everyone has an honoured part. I think you poem is generous and profound, and stars simply won't do justice. Brian

so we can feast on your words. catching up with you out here. nicely done on this one. a little optimistic (heh), but i still like it :P tons of love N

So very good to read your excellent work again. I had to take a few days off that turned into quite a few days. How relevant these words of yours-- 'from the speed of it life is blurred' My God, I can relate to every word in this. 'but in the still times … I burn' And yes, it does burn. Always, Deelilah

Well, it is an excellent poem, whether I can relate or not. I always need to balance; but it's more about feeling time pressure. This, of course, happens the older we get. The fact is I spent about five hours in here that day, five hours I should have probably used somewhere else. But I do so enjoy it here. Deelilah

What I get from this poem: The struggle between passion and necessity. Sometimes as creative minds, we often feel forced to do the mundane, find a "dayjob" so to speak, which takes up so much precious time and energy. But it is writing, learning, discovering, creating that we feel that burn, the zest, the zeal of life. Thanks for sharing MoonMan