Monday 30 January 2017

That silhouette is a little familiar








When the panic is a blinding red haze,
and the hour flaps like a hollow windsock -
the meanings stand out, crisp, articulate,
above the din and win and lose of days,
in dark silhouette against empty talk.


I’ve recognised the meaning of happiness
from its outline, from a flimsy shadow,
its features indistinct against the wash
and thresh of light, but clear nevertheless
its final form, though the face didn’t show.


I have known it mostly by its absence,
the deeper when the cut’s been the sharpest.
When grief has sliced me small and wide open
I’ve felt it keen within touching distance,
mere feet away, a still shadow at rest.


And in that flare of time I’ve been content
to see its frame and infer what it meant.








Okay, so that's 'happy' done.  January's been a tough month all round.  A good month, therefore, to explore that particular theme. 

February is a Write…Edit…Publish month, sign up's on the 1st. Here are the challenges for 2017, must get thinking soon.  Back of the drawer - might be a good idea to actually pull one open and see what lurks there…who knows where that might lead...

  

Write...Edit...Publish






19 comments:

  1. Poignant and beautiful.
    'hour flaps like a hollow windsock' spoke loudly to me. Been there, done that.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, sadly that's a mandatory stop for all of us. Or maybe not so much sad, just an inevitable part of life?

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  2. I'm sorry to see the back of your 'happiness' posts, Nila. We could do with more happiness in this screwed up old world of ours. Your second stanza jumped out at me, because sometimes happiness can be missed, and that's a shame:

    I’ve recognised the meaning of happiness
    from its outline, from a flimsy shadow,
    its features indistinct against the wash
    and thresh of light, but clear nevertheless
    its final form, though the face didn’t show.

    I had a funky story come to me for Back of the Drawer.Thankfully, that'll save me from rummaging through my drawers...:-)

    Denise x

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    Replies
    1. It does seem especially screwed up just now, doesn't it?

      Looking forward to the WEP - the first should be a blast :) I know I had something figured out, but it has escaped me now what with everything that's been going on. Hopefully should come back in time...

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  3. One thing about the bottom, there is only up. Well composed sonnet. Feb, will be better.

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    Replies
    1. Are we there at the bottom yet? I can never tell :) for which I am thankful! Things could have been worse, glad they aren't. Thanks for the warm words re poem

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  4. We appreciate happiness the most when we're not in it.

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    Replies
    1. True. Sorrow focuses attention and its opposite stands out in relief.

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  5. happiness is fleeting and elusive, but you know it when you feel it. I hope February proves a better month. Take care

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  6. "Back of the drawer?" Sounds intriguing.

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    Replies
    1. A whole heap of fun too :) Do check out the link and please join us if you can

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  7. Hi Nila - happiness has been sadly lacking ... but somehow we can pull ourselves together and yank a happy smile at ourselves ... I have to say February started with two small bits of good news - that helps! I'm think re WEP ... back of drawer ... cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. I'm so happy for you that your month has started well. May it continue to go smooth and pleasant all through.

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    2. And I am so looking forward to reading your take on the WEP prompt :)

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  8. It's true that we have to have some doses of bad to balance the good times in our lives. If life were always happy we'd never recognize the joy of it all.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    Replies
    1. Extremes of emotion are hard to sustain, especially happiness. A little sad is good.

      Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  9. I have nominated you for the Bloggers Recognition Award and the link to the same is here

    https://panaecea.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/bloggers-recognition-award-courtesy-shri-j-mathur/

    Please visit

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