Cloudthings

Sep 09, 2009 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Our children drink the legacy of our bad history (thank goodness it's wonderful) (revised)

Speak to me in softly shifting shadows of caress
Where edges blend with essence of inner truth confessed
Let your heat wash over me, a spreading wistful bloom
The glow combined, in space confined, builds bright warmth in the room

I watched in spidery silhouette, skeletal, sad and stark
The contrasts finding leaking wounds, with no rest in the dark
Still, I truly love my solitude, yet adore these gathered hearts
These entities of confluence that draw me to become a part

Ah, but you love, know the secret structures, beauty in fragility
The pressure barely present, and the strength in flexibility
My breath held ‘til the morning, in a limbo daze of calm
I forget, until I feel again, the bliss there cradled in your arm.

Our babies with their heritage, so disparate and odd
Grow warmer in my heart, each beaded moment thickly trod
I might just be the respite, the comfort they may crave
I monitor responses of these, motherless, and brave

My own, along the rougher edges, jagged carved progression
Dawning teenage flounderings, and forays through transgression
But shining heart and solid soul, and certainty at central core
Somehow sails this bleeding stage, and navigates courageous shore

The common thread between them, an embedded sense of love
Devotion and commitment pays beyond life’s far too bullied shove
Tread carefully the bonding, secluded souls might merge
Like yours and mine, a bond divine, with no baggage we would purge

The noble cause of parentage, with sober sense required
We see the fruits before us of these blessings we desired
I made that tiny body, from the cells within my own
and set it free, through all in me, and joy therein thus grown

— Cloudthings, Sep 09, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Australia, regional Victoria, AUS

Favorite Poets: So many... Rumi, Spike Milligan, Keats. Many of the Neopoet clan, past & present. A myriad of song writers, Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lior, & I must add the poetic influence of painters, sculptors & creators across the world... Life really, especially the sky.

Critiques

Worldwide Freeride

16 years 9 months ago

Maternal instinct!

Hi Anni, I think you have left a legacy of your own with this write alone never mind the forever chain of genes from our siblings... with huge maternal instincts you have penned a rather splendid poem that is rhymed well, but the really good thing about this Anni is that instead of the often gooey feel (And I am culprit of this lol!) of love for a partner, child or friend you have put this a profound pearl of wisdom way that captured mine and I sure many other reader attension. Look the way you describe the nutring and growth and how it start a journey... You speak through wisdoms eyes, and from looking at your picture I assume that is your son hiding in the cap and hood! How old is he now... and does he take after you? No matter what though I am sure with your guiding hands, especially if if they are as adept as your writing fingers, he will be the apple of your eye. Great write Anni. Dale :)

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

In the end it is the treasures in connecting & in learning & int

Damn, I finished tweeking just after you left this, so it reads a little better now I hope... I seem to need to see it in Neo context & then I see the things I want to changed (that's a Neo gift for me... I never used to change anything I wrote much (then it is only recently I have made my writing publically apart from a song here & there), felt it was like wanting to genetically enhance a child, now I am far less precious & a little more professional... though hardly. Ah you are good to me Dale, my popularity here has taken a definite downturn (possibly because I stood up to what felt like bullying, think it was a mistake in hindsight, but it is history now, sides were taken sadly, not my intent or my desire, fortunately the other party & I made our peace & were quite amicable before he packed up & left, which had nothing to do with me, perhaps some think it did? Oh well!), I used to spend much of my time in spotlight & mostly felt squirmy about it because I felt there were better writes about, lately I only see one or 2 poets there, & notice I am not nominated generally so I must be either writing poorly in comparison or there is a strange anomily in the system... Still, I felt I cared not for voting & especially spotlight, which I have never felt necessarilly reflected good poetry as such, though it does on occassion & I love it then. It is like aplause though, as a performer, you think you don't live for it, but I think if it didn't happen you would be getting pretty worried... it is strange isn't it. Yes that is my son, I sometimes change the image to reflect a post, that was taken a month or 2 ago... & he is a gorgeous lad (13), but SUDDENLY after never being at the whim of peer pressure, he has become super conscious of his image (I think this is evident in the pic, trying to look cool & mysterious under hat & hood. Yes we are probably alike, we get on really well, I am blessed in that way, though these challenges are tricky, it will increasingly be his job to disassociate himself from me & any other institution (family, school etc. sigh!!!) I remember how confusing it was to try to ballance being "different" (I was never a conformist), but not SO different you were cast as an outsider.. awful jagged time, as I mention above... though he is well liked & has a far easier time than I ever had, I am proud of him for him remarkable consistency of character in some way, he has always been such an easy person to live with (lucky me). Oh it's late I am waffling again... Thank you again for your encouragement, I am feeling better about my writing again (phew) it didn't feel right for a little while, I am relatively happy with this one, even though it is a little obscure to the reader perhaps... As usual your insight is quite remarkable. I think it is a lovely comforting thing to be "known" I gain a great deal of pleasure form that... probably more for that & these perceptions you express, than spotlight nominations. In the end it is the treasures in connecting & in learning & interchanging inspiration that really counts here for me, I love this with you, though I feel you have been better at keeping up with comments, I don't take it for granted. I must sleep now though. Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Nordic cloud

16 years 9 months ago

an embedded sense of love

I have no children but I have worked among children and they have seemed to give me the same love that a child gives his mother, after all the poor wee things only saw their mothers in the evenings and early morning, it was us who knew them best, saw to their every need every second of the day and dreamt of how to help them in the night. The final verse I cannot know, I have not known and yet I did in my small way experience great feelings of motherliness as we have the instinct in us latent. I think you espress it well, soberly somehow, much less gooey than mine, as Dale says above. You manage the words so well, mine are simpler yours are more mature, but then you are a mother and I have 'yet' to be that, unless one calls the loves one had as children as they sometimes seem like that!! Sh! Good poem dear Anni, now get some sleep. Love from your Anushka

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

I wish you all the most delightful things, & know you already ha

Darlingest mother of the world, you give & give & give in a similar & selfless & oh so generous way as a mother does... I know the way you do & how MUCH you provide, I'd have almost moved to Norway to have you spend that wonderful creative magic on my child, you must have been an incredibble blessing to those children... & I understand the bonding with those little poppets, I did similar work most of my life, in different circumstances early in my life with little children & (still am asked to be a "special faery magic mother" to children of my friends & their friends who see what adventures we have.. it's the positivity & joy & creativity we weave, & there is NO doubt we form a maternal bond, so you are right dear Ann... I know you get it... & yes the internal forming & creating & constant life contact is also unique, but you have served the children so much in your ways dear one, given more than one could with the demands of a single offspring distracting their instincts & attention. I used to run the after school program & the holiday program when Geordi was a baby, it was so hard to be torn between the needs of my one little dream & the needs of 20 or 30 other little & bigger one's, I was far better at co-ordinating those programs before having a baby, there were times it was excruciating if parents were late to pick up kids & my son needed me, I hated it in the end for the lack of support (they now have 2 people doing that work now, which was what I asked so often). Yes I am happier with this one than I have been for some time, thank you. & I love what you have written here. I wish you all the most delightful things... & know you already have them because you see them where you seek, & apreciate them as they are... it is the best way to be dear Anushka. I feel we are lucky, we who are able to do this, & I bless you for travelling that journey with me. xxx Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

please don't be comparing, your writing is delightful & complete

PS Ann, please don't be comparing, your writing is delightful & completely worthy, there is no comparison & no greater or lesser judgement on your ways of communication, it is all a personal thing, you reach me in a delightful way with your writing & I know I am not alone... I reach some & obviously not others, I don't know the formula, look at the many poets & artist who had absolutely no recognition when they were alive & their brilliance was recognised afterwards... & I wonder how many writers have never been acknowledged whose skills we might feel are way beyond our own, there is no saying why people reach fame or overlooked... this place is a perfect example when you look at the spotlight, I have never felt it reflected talent or deserved acclaim consistantly (I used to say the same even in the days when I seemed constantly to be in it), but that's my opinion, there are a multitude of brilliant writes here that never see spotlight or evolution. I read comments that are brightly glowing & the stars are full, yet I note the only nominations to spotlight are mine on many occassions, I don't understand it really, but there you go, I never understand why people voted for our crappy past political parties either, you have to just move on... but comparing is NOT useful, nor is being too concerned with ratings I think, you will know when you are respected by your peers & worthy writers will acknowledge you, that should be what counts... I suspect you, at least, feel I am worthy & I am telling you your writing is extremely valuable. Cheers dear one xx Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Geezer

16 years 9 months ago

I...Like you am not ...

Versed in manner of hanging a title on what I have written. But I do know the feelings that inspire the outpouring of love in such work. Funny thing hindsight, it always seems to be twenty-twenty. Perception is just a matter of the light in which we see something. Gee.

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

yep, shine th light, you're RIGHT, perception & moreso intention

Hey Gee!!! xx thanks for the pretty stars.. Yeah, I think the turning point for me was years ago realising that instead of hoping that at some future tie I could look back with the hindsight & hoping it would look good enough... I could stand in the present & project the best of what I wanted for my child into the future... When I was pregnant with Geordi, it was no small choice, I had a terrible child hood & had to completely suffer & struggle to create this truly great life I have (& no sorry, but it had nothing to do with religin), it was hard work & ALL about taking responsibility for making my own life good, really hard work, I decided I had a pretty good chance at providing my child with the 2 things I saw as essential in feeling it was "okay" to have a baby - 1) that he would have a really strong sense of himself & know without a doubt that he was good & loved deeply, & 2) that he would be able to contribute positively to this world... lets face it, it isn't like the world needs another human just freeloading & feeling like the earth & others owe them... life workds better when we contribute in my experience, that's across the board (goodness me talk about opining!... merely my opinion, have no prob with differing opinions - as long as they are brought to me in a non hostile way! Scars of recent ugliness smart)... I felt I could probably facilitate a pretty good basic groundwork for my child to achieve these things, & saw them blossoming in him at a very early age, so I am extremely happy in that regard... So yep, shine that light, you are dead right, perception & moreso intention is SOOOOO important, there will always be rogue elements that get tangled into the equation, we do our best, we can be happy.. I know already you hold many of these qualities, you do them here... as I attempt to, as many of us do, nurturing & contributing, it is time consuming & occassionally challenging, but it is also hugely rewarding to be able to contribute... it's what makes life worthwhile for me anyway. Cheers boyo xx Cheers Anni~ "Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfilment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart". Martin Luther

Cloudthings

16 years 9 months ago

It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around out

Here, I found the perfect quote for this! Cheers Anni~ "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body". ~Elizabeth Stone

faerybeki

16 years 9 months ago

Anni, I love your work, you

Anni, I love your work, you know I do. I see you, your scientist, your Geordie and the otterlings here, it's lovely :) And I love that quote hon about letting our hearts walk forever outside our bodies. I feel the same about my Omi. I'm loving your new pic babe, I can see such beauty in that half hidden face. My love to you all. I hope you're feeling bit better? It's marvelous to see you're writing more easily again darling woman of such gorgeous words, much love to all your end, hugs Beki xxx Ps the title is bit long, if you are open to suggestions hon, I'd streamline it to, 'Our children drink the legacy of our history' not sure you need 'bad' in there hon, whatever horrors we've experienced, made us who we are, and you my love are good, good, GOOD! as is the love that you fill so many children's lives with :) Think of you often sweet heart, more love and HUGE hugs Beks xxx

Cloudthings

16 years 8 months ago

oops!

Ooops

Cloudthings

16 years 8 months ago

do you think though that the point will be missed if I change it

Dearest Beki as always you see true & clear, though of course you are in here too among the loved cherubs of my heart... "yet adore these gathered hearts These entities of confluence that draw me to become a part" Yes, our little offspring, just wait honey they grow to be so wonderful, Geordi is hitting the teen years, where image has suddenly become more eclipsing than I would ever have imagined (in my non flappable child), yet still he is a joy & a wonder... & a total magnet for my heart. I love that you will know this with your lovely Omi as she grows older. Had a beautiful otter weekend too, the kids piano concerts & drawing & lots of lovely stuff. All that lovely good wishing back to you as well Beki. & yes, I'm sure it is too long (the title)... do you think though that the point will be missed if I change it?.. It's just that the reason both my scientist & I have children so solidly steeped in love & confidence is because we intentionally gave them the things we never got as children, & didn't allow the damage that we experienced to touch them. So it is a legacy built on the lessons from that awful history. Maybe that's too heavy a burden for this poem to carry, but it is the point. Lotsa love & ta Cheers Anni~ "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body". ~Elizabeth Stone