I love this, Brian. Such an expression of mindfulness and a reminder that so much of what surrounds us becomes habit—we lose sight of its ability to stir our imagination, to prod our thought, to nourish our spirit. Thank you!
“What you know you must do instead and what already surrounds you.”
This resonated with me and is my struggle. Every bit in our space tells a story of us, our intentions, failures, and aspirations. It’s what we won’t let go or how far we’ve moved on.
Oh I love this - all of the ways in which life wants to touch us in every moment - the potential possibility that is present in so many spaces within and around us. What struck me while reading this, is all that comes with whether we see that possibility, the choices we make from it, whether that possibility remains untouched or embraced. Thank you.
This opening is my favourite line. It made me stop and pause on my first read and did just the same on my second.
"What basement history sits unopened for decades
and what dusty future lies boxed alongside"
There's just something about "basement history" that conjures up an image and feeling, especially when it follows on from "Consider what surrounds you".
It makes me sit and think on all the things, external and internal, that shape us or are yet to shape us. As Paul notes, it's a mindful reminder not to let that surrounding become habit.
Deftly done once again, Brian. A pleasure to read this in my early-morning sleepy state.
Nathan, you are very kind. I’m very thankful for your presence here and your thoughtful commentary. The basement and the stairwell are my 2 favorite parts of this poem... 📦
Stunning, Brian; I find listening to your reading quite hypnotic, so relaxing, and had to revisit in order to access the meaning, if that makes sense. I particularly liked the image of the "gift that hangs abandoned in your mind."
That's interesting, that you had hesitated; I have since been wondering whether I should read prior to listening from now on, as the audio had such an impact on me. Looking forward to reading your reflection!
I read it twice, once as questions and once as statements. I found statements to be more poignant. Questions seem to leave open more possibility, while statements contain a tinge of regret and longing for a different outcome.
I enjoyed it very much, especially exercising two perspectives. It was very different. In either case, questions or statements, it has an overall feel of departure, of leaving this vicinity behind.
Beautiful...captured where I am now..where I was..where I will be.. with such accuracy..as if my unspoken thoughts not yet articulated were freed by your skill in illuminating them.Thank you.
Every line resonates, but especially these:
"What stone path leads where you thought you would go
and what regret will appear when you go there"
In a few days, I'll be saying goodbye to my dad as we lay his body to rest.
It's good to have the consolation of poetry for times that are unbearably holy and tender.
Ann, absolutely. My wish for you is that many words of hope and beauty come to you while you walk over this threshold. 🧡
I love this, Brian. Such an expression of mindfulness and a reminder that so much of what surrounds us becomes habit—we lose sight of its ability to stir our imagination, to prod our thought, to nourish our spirit. Thank you!
Agreed! A mindful look at something that’s been a part of us for a while is typically an interesting and often profound experience.
Very much agree, Paul. Well said.
“What you know you must do instead and what already surrounds you.”
This resonated with me and is my struggle. Every bit in our space tells a story of us, our intentions, failures, and aspirations. It’s what we won’t let go or how far we’ve moved on.
Might write a response poem about it!
Chevanne, I’d love to read it if you do 💫. Thank you for reading and chatting!
Wrote a response poem! Here’s the link:
https://open.substack.com/pub/theflare/p/nanowrimo-update?r=nnkuq&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Awesome, I added it to my inbox and will check it out today!! Thanks for pointing it out!
Oh I love this - all of the ways in which life wants to touch us in every moment - the potential possibility that is present in so many spaces within and around us. What struck me while reading this, is all that comes with whether we see that possibility, the choices we make from it, whether that possibility remains untouched or embraced. Thank you.
Very true and a beautiful insight 🙂. Thank you Kaitlyn.
This opening is my favourite line. It made me stop and pause on my first read and did just the same on my second.
"What basement history sits unopened for decades
and what dusty future lies boxed alongside"
There's just something about "basement history" that conjures up an image and feeling, especially when it follows on from "Consider what surrounds you".
It makes me sit and think on all the things, external and internal, that shape us or are yet to shape us. As Paul notes, it's a mindful reminder not to let that surrounding become habit.
Deftly done once again, Brian. A pleasure to read this in my early-morning sleepy state.
Nathan, you are very kind. I’m very thankful for your presence here and your thoughtful commentary. The basement and the stairwell are my 2 favorite parts of this poem... 📦
So lovely! This line got me: “what gift you have that hangs abandoned in your mind…”
So much there to unpack and ponder because what lives there expresses one way or another no matter our efforts at prerense…
Reena, a perspective that I wasn’t thinking about but true!
Stunning, Brian; I find listening to your reading quite hypnotic, so relaxing, and had to revisit in order to access the meaning, if that makes sense. I particularly liked the image of the "gift that hangs abandoned in your mind."
Thanks Mya. I hesitated sharing the audio on this one until the reflection (I’ll share why in the reflection), but I’m glad it resonated!
That's interesting, that you had hesitated; I have since been wondering whether I should read prior to listening from now on, as the audio had such an impact on me. Looking forward to reading your reflection!
So much depth. So much to feel here. Beautiful.
Thank you Jenni, Poetry is for feeling 💚. I’m glad you’re here!
There's a slippery slope from this poem to some episode of Hoarders that I find interesting and disturbing.
Now that you mention it...😆
Thank you for expressing the unspoken.🌱
It’s funny how the space in between the words can do that ✍️
a really cool look into comparisons and contrasts, very good.
Thank you Weston!
I read it twice, once as questions and once as statements. I found statements to be more poignant. Questions seem to leave open more possibility, while statements contain a tinge of regret and longing for a different outcome.
I enjoyed it very much, especially exercising two perspectives. It was very different. In either case, questions or statements, it has an overall feel of departure, of leaving this vicinity behind.
Thank you! Very thought provoking!
Virginia thank you for sharing this! I think I had the same experience as you 🌿
Brian, I just love your poetry! Every line in the piece resonates.
Awesome, I’m glad it did something for you!
Beautiful...captured where I am now..where I was..where I will be.. with such accuracy..as if my unspoken thoughts not yet articulated were freed by your skill in illuminating them.Thank you.
Andre, thank you so much for your kind and poetic words, and most I am so happy this provided the place and space to illuminate pieces of you! 💡
STUNNING. Dang.
Thank you Elena😊
Que lindo este
My leaving room now is big one and o empty. 60m2 and quite empty
The mirror of the space that I have inside of me to receive a love one that is coming to me
To dance
lie on the wooden floor and do nothing together
Lovely 🌟