that bounces and skips
through the sky,
too quick to catch,
she is the lesson.
Marvel at her,
enjoy her
superhuman acrobatics,
envy her grace
and beauty,
because she is
only here
like this
and is gone
like that.
In the moment
pressed against
your lover’s skin,
do not plan
the next move,
but savor the moment,
inhale the scent
of her neck,
because she is
only here
like this
and is gone
like that.
As you drift away
into your cool, dark
slumber
before surrendering,
forgive everyone
and everything,
and give thanks
for every little
detail,
and as you ask
for another day,
do so humbly
because there are
so many more
who need tending
and a share
of the good fortune
we’ve been given
because it is
only here
like this
and is gone
like that.[Posted for #OpenLinkNight - at www.dversepoets.com - you'll not find a better bunch o' poems on the internet.]
So much that is beautiful is only here like this and gone like that. We really need to stop and appreciate it while it is here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and yes we do.
Deletefor me this speaks of thankfulness, of seeing the little wonders with open eyes and of savoring the day with all it brings and offers...and in all humbleness
ReplyDeleteYou understood it perfectly. Thanks for reading and for the RT.
Deletenice....and true...i like how you look at it through several different lenses....our moments are fleeting, we have to live them fully...
ReplyDeleteYes, the most potent imagery are birds, my wife's skin and the nightly death of sleep. Glad you liked.
Delete"because she is
ReplyDeleteonly here
like this
and is gone
like that."
That's brilliant! Great recognition to utilize repetition with those words.
Thanks Alex! Brilliant? Nah, just telling the truth. :)
DeleteAn ideal rendition of living in the now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ain't no other time but now.
DeleteAw...there is joy twinged with the truth of our fleeting existence here...leaves one a mixture of emotions, which I think, is what life is. Always cherishing this simple moments leads to a life where we remember the joy.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I'm getting to the age where my memory is less like representational art and more like impressionism. Can't wait 'til my memory becomes surrealism.
DeleteThis was wonderful and touching-- the transition from nature to organic intimacy was breath taking and heartbreaking at the same time. thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you-life lived well is both breathtaking and heartbreaking.
DeleteIt's easy to take "this" for granted, until it turns into "that" which has passed. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly! thanks!
DeleteSo easy to take our lives for granted isn't it--and like the bird--they are gone--great write Mosk
ReplyDeleteYou said it - it seems a few minutes ago I was a young man, thanks!
DeleteOhhhhh. Gorgeous, gorgeous. Fine advice, eloquently spilled.
ReplyDeleteThanks de jackson! Spilled describes my writing style.
DeleteMine, too. And the word itself sneaks in a lot. Today's poem, for example. Ha. Apparently I can't help myself.
DeleteVery well done! I don't always live up to this standard, but I think the proper approach is just as you say. Humbly, with thanks and forgiveness to all. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nico, I wrote this as a reminder to myself.
Deletethere is much beauty in this world to savor, because you are quite right...it is only here for a time and gone before we realize it. a lovely message.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - I appreciate your kind words.
DeletePerfect. I can't even tell you how much this speaks to me.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much your praise means to me! Thanks!
DeleteI love this... You are so right, she IS the lesson. This is my new favorite of yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you don't have to answer, but I wonder what your old favorite was? :)
DeleteBeautiful, Mosky. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend!
DeleteMi hermano, what a wonderful, heartfelt meditation on gratitude. Wasn't sure where you were going with the little red-breasted bird, but the repeated refrain really got to me. I'm thinking about Riley tonight... here but not here, and in her mind, gone on her own. This really touched me, hon. Ameleh
ReplyDeleteA hard lesson to learn...but a great truth told in no uncertain terms...poetically,and beautifully...and I thank you for the reminder!~jackie~ 1emeraldcity.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteLovely, and wise, too. I specially like :
ReplyDeletebefore surrendering,
forgive everyone
and everything,
and give thanks
for every little
detail,
and as you ask
for another day,
do so humbly
because there are
so many more
who need tending
and a share
of the good fortune
we’ve been given
I hope I can remember the advice and live up to it.
Aptly titled my friend. Everything in life is so fleeting. Gone...like this...like that. This poem should make us all appreciate what we have and encourage us to give a little bit to our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mark Butkus
Absolutely wonderful! : )
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to appreciate what we have and savour the moment. I'm good at forgetting but not at forgiving:)
ReplyDeleteLiving life to the fullest by witnessing the small details of the moment !! Yes appreciate the now for life is fleeting and the magic can be missed in the blink of an eye !! Wonderfully written !!
ReplyDeleteperhaps my favorite poem I've read... full of wisdom, truth, acceptance and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteshared this with some of my meditation teachers, they loved it!
ReplyDelete