Requiem II
To say what becomes: this word
bends in the wind of our
breath. Is this too simple to
say? Our bodies gather yet retain
nothing. Numbers, phrases, the way
the ocean rolls. Once I saw
a whale at dusk. Or rather I saw its
tail part the water and disappear
into darkness, an answer too complex
and sweet for tongues to comprehend.
But waves seldom explain. Imagine
something nearby but beyond reach.
Think of clouds and shrines, consider light.
O at the Edges 
Enjoyed reading this poem. I liked the way you broke up your phrases, leaving the reader dangling, but also making them contemplate the word in its context and on its on merit. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. I like the idea of letting readers dangle at the end of some lines, but perhaps rewarding them with a surprise on occasion as they continue.
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Lovely!
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I’m so pleased you find it so. Thank you.
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“Our bodies gather but retain nothing” is pure poetry. It reminds me of the voice in Ecclesiastes. It is also a poem that hints at natural translations: whales into darkness and clouds into light, for example. Cheers
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Ah, impermanence! And thank you for your kind words.
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Smoooooooth!!
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Thanks, Ron. Just had to do something with that whale…
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Absolutely! As they say, “Strike whale the iron is hot!”
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There is so much implied here. And yet the poem itself can barely capture it all. Not that the poem needs to, but how does a poem create space? This line alone: Our bodies gather yet retain nothing. The Two Truths.
Imagine something nearby but beyond reach.
Your hidden tulku: apparent, yet unnamed.
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Thank you, Gary. Specific images often imply possibilities beyond the immediate context, which can lend space to the text’s framework. Or at least that’s my hope with these pieces. I do appreciate the tulku reference!
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A beautiful read. To see the tail is magical all by itself!
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Thank you.
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My wife and I were discussing our core beliefs yesterday, and we were surprised to find that we had gradually come into agreement over the span of 30 years of marriage. We both have a background in science, and have trouble believing the traditional stories with which we grew up, but still have had experiences that gave us a glimpse of another level of meaning. Your line about the whale, the communication that can’t be understood, reminded me of those glimpses.
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I never receive more than glimpses, but appreciate those as they come.
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Nice word use!
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Thank you.
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Another beauty, Robert. Indeed, what most people should do more of: consider(ing) light. Or we could just leave the distillation of sweet matters to a skillful wordsmith and philosopher like you.
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Looking outside oneself can be rewarding, no? And thank you for your multiple kindnesses!
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Oh, not a kindness, Bob. A blatant look at the reality of things! 🙂
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“But waves seldom explain. Imagine
something nearby but beyond reach.”
Really nice job switching voice…as though you were going from third person to second. Lovely reflections.
Diana
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Thanks, Diana. I talk to myself a lot, so it’s easy to shift voices. 🙂
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LOL!!
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This is an excellent poem. And, thank you for reading my work. It is good to know that some people appreciate it.
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Thank you for your kind words. We’re in the same boat – hoping that someone will read our words.
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an answer too complex
and sweet for tongues to comprehend
I liked that very much – though ‘drafting’ is it right? But that doesn’t matter, seeya, bye.
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Thank you.
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Love this piece, hope it is okay to reblog.
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Feel free to reblog anytime it suits you. Thanks!
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Reblogged this on Ripple Poetry.
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Thanks for reblogging!
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Pingback: Requiem II | Ripple Poetry
brilliantly written poetry! I love the sort of cliff hangers
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Thank you!
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Hi Robert. So nice. Thank you for liking my poem The Old Asylum! Peace and Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
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It was my pleasure, Malcolm. Thanks for stopping by.
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Our bodies gather yet retain
nothing. Numbers, phrases, the way
the ocean rolls.
So very true and with the aged more so. At the peak of our knowledge it feels exponentially faster..trickling away with nothing more than we had at birth.
.
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I feel this, too. Time has become more precious and appreciated than ever before.
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