Introspection

Introspection

Moonlight lying in shimmering, silver pools
Upon the dew-wet grass.
Diamond-dust scattered like leaves
Across the old tree-lined path.
Massive sentinels standing guard, over
An old wooden bridge that spans a brook
Rushing downhill in headlong flight.

Here I stand in thoughtful solitude,
Memories popping like old-fashioned flashbulbs,
Chasing each other through my darkened mind,
Picture after picture in a random slide show,
Where rational thought dares not intrude.

My mind grows as weary as a clock winding down
And one by one, the stars flicker and die in heaven
Like the receding lights of a distant train.
Once more the velvet darkness enfolds in quiet slumber
Offering a contemplative glimpse beyond this mortal realm.

— Rett, Aug 28, 2009

About the Author

Region, Country: Southern Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: Dickenson, Longfellow

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Critiques

Seren

16 years 11 months ago

Dearest Rett

of all your poems I find this ONE ? the most visually stunning in my mind ... my god the pictures you put in there ... IN cred IBLE ... seriously I dont know how to express it but in this way,Fucking awesome ... sorry to be crude but I want to express how much I really liked this one .... Its my favourite of yours now Rett I am such a child of the night and you just seduced me in image's wonderful write my friend I loved it !!!! love and hugz Jayne x x x "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall"

Seren

16 years 11 months ago

Opppppppssssss forgot the

Opppppppssssss forgot the stars sorrrrrrrrrrrrrri lol (hug) "We did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves. Lynn Hall" ...

Rett

16 years 11 months ago

Thank you Jayne

I am extremely pleased it made an impact on you. I am one of those strange people that loves rhyme and rhythm, but tend to constantly experiment around with different ways of writing and I love to vary my subjects. Glad you liked this. ((Hugs)) Respectfully, Rett: "When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half." Gracie Allen

yenti

16 years 10 months ago

There you Go

The Great bear one of his wisdoms is Introspection and now you have found your own thoughts on this subject as the Great Bear said:- Introspection The Great Bear lifted his head and gazed at the vast space that dwelt within. This time he felt that he would walk alone, that was a mistake as to really walk alone he became aware of nothing. Nothing clung to him like a bad odour, feeding off of his own self that could not cope with the space, left by the contact with others. It hurt him, oh how it hurt, to not feel the presence of other beings on his soul it was good to be able to feel this way, and experience the utter desolation that pervaded even to his projected limits. To be able to feel this and still know that it was self-inflicted as a choice to experience, made it easier for him to feel. Wait he thought, what of those who felt this way and could not know of an end to this state of being He shuddered to his very soul; it was without a doubt the end of all things, to truly walk alone. Here he was being so stupid, as to think that he could even want to experience being alone. This let him realise that it was not good to dwell on such bleak things. I will talk of a light that comes from the soul he thought. There was a light that pushed out from his very being it was as a guide and it was steady. There it was the very heart of him, glowing as it had for all his days, with the memories of others attached to its glow, bringing love to his very inner self. There was no way that he could walk alone in this existence, as for all time there he was, and someone. It pleased him to feel so, and the two states were like chalk is to cheese in their separation. This someone whom he could lean on in harder days, the same someone he could ask the earth of, and know it would be given. Not always though, that he could see how it had been given, at the time. But usually if he asked for the earth, it would make him realise that he had it already. It would open his eyes with the knowing, even sometimes a little later. Then his someone would show him the way. The Great Bear thought on the things that he had learned from these two states. Then with his usual inward smile, agreed with his own soul, that to be with someone in the light was the only place to be. He turned and walked toward the rising sun. Hope you don't mind me quoting the Great Bear at you here with this one, as the last few lines you wrote of where the clock was winding down made me feel that you were in a state of feeling your physical self, as apposed to your real soul self. We grow tired of things, sometimes the day to day effort of holding our ages becomes a burden. The other side of the coin is our spirit, which is always fresh and held with all for ever, only pausing to grow a little from our experiences. Yours is really good and will as your life portrays, hold you on a higher pathway. Sorry to preach a bit but??? Yours on this beautiful Journey Ian.T

Rett

16 years 10 months ago

L Always a pleasure hearing your take Ian

And it is good to hear the Great Bear speak again. Sometimes we let the mundane everyday things get to us and forget to listen to the inner soul. In my soul I am still a young man with the world by the tail, but the rest of me says I am near the end. Sometimes I let the outer self rule when I should be listening to the inner soul. Thank you for the reminder my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half." Gracie Allen

yenti

16 years 10 months ago

Young Rett

I have had to take off the stories for a while so the Great Bear is here and not on site. I hope that you believe that the young spirit you have there holding on to whatever state our bodies are after all these years, is the part of you that journies on when this lifes journey is completed and we return home. I think that I said "If there is no Afterlife then will I worry about it" But as you have seen with the Grandad series of Sadie talking to Grandad (ME) then what is it. Earlier this year they said to me that I had completed all the tasks set out for me on this Journey, that kinda put a fear in me but I asked if it was time to return and they said not yet you have to finish your stories. So who's taking their time in writing LOL. No I think that the change of format in my poetry and the ways of writing have speeded up the task of putting the books together, first the ones for the children and then the middle years,then finally the later years, I will always be so thankful for Neopoet where my Now friends have given me so much in the ways of writing and with their comments, it is a joy. Thank you for your listening ear, Yours Ian.T

Candlewitch

16 years 10 months ago

Rett

So beautifully written, like a sweet caress. This imagery rich poem takes me away to a place where I have no troubles or pain. Which is really something hard to do. My favorite lines: My mind grows as weary as a clock winding down And one by one, the stars flicker and die in heaven Like the receding lights of a distant train. Once more the velvet darkness enfolds in quiet slumber Offering a contemplative glimpse beyond this mortal realm. Slumber is my retreat and solace from the Inverse psoriasis. I can stand the mental anguish of the depression and the OCD, but the physical pain is something I think I will never get used to. Your poem is wonderful... Always, Cat

Rett

16 years 10 months ago

Thank you Cat

I am very happy that you found a bit of solace in this poem. Physical pain is so hard to deal with. Just enduring it wears on a person both mentally and physically leaving them worn out and wondering how they will go on the next few minutes, hours, days. I relate heavily to that my friend. Thanks so much for the very kind words. Respectfully, Rett: "When I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half." Gracie Allen

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