Processional
I don’t cry at endings anymore. Instead,
it’s the beginnings where I pause,
eyes welling, the hardness rising in my chest–
like when a relationship restarts
after a distance,
or when the first redbuds and dogwoods flower
in Spring–I’ve waited so long for some kind
of catharsis. Who knew it would come
from resetting the day? I woke in the dark
to the sound of rain hitting hard–a roil
and rumble from thunder. There’s an edge
in this gloaming, a feeling of coming–
I embrace it. I rise my head for tomorrow,
a new way of being, again.
___
It’s always such a joy to be doing this with y’all in June. Thanks to everyone who does this thing we do together, for all your poems and inspiration, for every comment. Already looking forward to 2024!
15 thoughts on "Processional"
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It’s been wonderful to read you this month, Shaun. There’s an edge in this gloaming—yes!
Love the redbuds and dogwoods.
Brings that same feeling of hope.
Great poem love the ending and it has been a joy reading your poems this month.
Such an optimistic note to0 end the month on, so nice. I’ve really enjoyed reading your poems — you have a distinctive voice and style that are very appealing. Very real.
especially also love the hymn-like quality your title lends to the poem
Great poems- enjoyed reading!
the hardness rising in the chest, the edge to the gloaming, wonderful poem
Such as simple turn — crying at the beginning instead of the end — resulted in a great piece. I will missing reading you until next year. You are the real deal.
Shaun
you tickle my poetic bone
your arrow is true.
The best thing about today
is the 11 months we have to live
(Casually, slowly)) with lexpomo poems.
Your last line “a new way of being, again.” That “again” speaks volumes. Love how your poems make me feel, how beautiful and vulnerable they are. As Linda says above “You are the real deal.”
Very nice, Shaun. I like the title, all the descriptions and the hopeful ending, which is so well prepared for by the poem.
I absolutely, wholeheartedly adore the sentiment of this poem. It’s such a wonderful take on endings that we often paint as simply sad. I want to carry pausing at beginnings with me.
(And it has been lovely reading your work this month — thank you for sharing it!)
Love:
it’s the beginnings where I pause,
the hardness rising in my chest–
like when a relationship restarts
after a distance,
or when the first redbuds and dogwoods flower
in Spring
This is beautiful, and I love your use of “gloaming” here. Also, your title is perfect. It reminds me of a graduation processional, of saying goodbye and looking forward to the next hello. Thanks for sharing your wonderful poems and thoughts with us this June!
A great ending poem and a great body of work.
Thank you for your work this June. I’ve looked forward to finding your poem each day. “in this gloaming, a feeling of coming–” its rhythm and half-rhyme really move the reader forward to the end/beginning.