An Eternity
Lifetimes are measured
in this existence. And
a star in the east is rising
over the ridge past Shine
Hollow, the lake and
the tombstones. Next
door the tombstones
cast long shadows of
cast long shadows of
themselves and
when I say this is my refuge,
it does not mean I own it.
It is my refuge.
The star rising is my star.
This small – pale yellow–
dwarf so far, so very close.
Eight seconds, by photon.
Eight seconds, by photon.
I say.
I also say these are my
woods, they
woods, they
are where my sun shines.
We coexist my life and I.
Lin Yutang says the shadows
of small men cover the land
indicating the end of day.
I say this is my sunrise.
and not mean I own it.
Long shadows are of dawn,
as well as the dusk.
This is my life, and
like the tombstones or
the ridge i stand, and
the ridge i stand, and
that is my shadow, and
it is eight, seconds, long.
17 thoughts on "An Eternity"
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
love this poem that embraces refuge and acknowledges lack of ownership.
love:
the tombstones next
door cast long shadows of
themselves
Thanks Pam. I kinda tweaked it. Hope it still works.
This is really cool!
Thank you 😊
Lifetimes as units of measurement, as are the stars, the dawns and the shadows. This is the kind of poem that sticks with you, Coleman.
I like the sticky ones that pour out like that. I’m really gonna try and be careful not to fuss it up. Something worked. Thanks.
Do try not to, for this is gorgeous as is. You’ve reached deep into the well for this one.
Really enjoying this string of poems you have going this year, Coleman—and the journey you seem to be on. Me thinkin’ a gorgeous collection forming 😉
Lol……busted…..working title is Sanctuary….kinda cliche but it has the feels for now. Glad you are seeing something to them.
Thank you.
💙👏🙏🕯️
I’ll be watching 😉
“We coexist my life and I.”
What a breathtaking line! Another beautiful poem, Coleman. Truly.
you do own it (make it your own)–for eight seconds
I love this poem,
the way it builds to the end
where you frame your life
in time and space
You are your own star, your own shadow, Coleman. You are building a firmament.
I like how you start and end with tombstones. I love the juxtaposition of eternity and 8 seconds. Bringing in a Chinese philosopher adds to the timelessness of the piece. Layers, perspectives and the passage of time.
Love the “Eight seconds, by photon” line and its counterpoint and its echo. Some great relationship work here at a DEEP level.
I love the scope of this piece and how you lay it out concretely with “a star in the east is rising/over the ridge past Shine/Hollow…”