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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Like This, Like That

That tiny red-breasted bird
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.]

40 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. for 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

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    1. You understood it perfectly. Thanks for reading and for the RT.

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  3. nice....and true...i like how you look at it through several different lenses....our moments are fleeting, we have to live them fully...

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    1. Yes, the most potent imagery are birds, my wife's skin and the nightly death of sleep. Glad you liked.

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  4. "because she is
    only here
    like this
    and is gone
    like that."

    That's brilliant! Great recognition to utilize repetition with those words.

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    1. Thanks Alex! Brilliant? Nah, just telling the truth. :)

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  5. An ideal rendition of living in the now.

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    1. Thanks, ain't no other time but now.

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  6. Anonymous1:29 PM

    Aw...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.

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    1. Thanks - 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.

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  7. This was wonderful and touching-- the transition from nature to organic intimacy was breath taking and heartbreaking at the same time. thank you

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    1. Thank you-life lived well is both breathtaking and heartbreaking.

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  8. It's easy to take "this" for granted, until it turns into "that" which has passed. Lovely.

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  9. So easy to take our lives for granted isn't it--and like the bird--they are gone--great write Mosk

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    1. You said it - it seems a few minutes ago I was a young man, thanks!

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  10. Ohhhhh. Gorgeous, gorgeous. Fine advice, eloquently spilled.

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    1. Thanks de jackson! Spilled describes my writing style.

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    2. Mine, too. And the word itself sneaks in a lot. Today's poem, for example. Ha. Apparently I can't help myself.

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  11. Very 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.

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    1. Thanks Nico, I wrote this as a reminder to myself.

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  12. there 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.

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    1. Thanks so much - I appreciate your kind words.

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  13. Perfect. I can't even tell you how much this speaks to me.

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    1. I can't tell you how much your praise means to me! Thanks!

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  14. I love this... You are so right, she IS the lesson. This is my new favorite of yours.

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    1. Thanks, and you don't have to answer, but I wonder what your old favorite was? :)

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  15. Beautiful, Mosky. Just beautiful.

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  16. Mi 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

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  17. Anonymous3:18 AM

    A 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

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  18. Lovely, and wise, too. I specially like :
    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

    I hope I can remember the advice and live up to it.

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  19. 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.
    Cheers,
    Mark Butkus

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  20. Absolutely wonderful! : )

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  21. Great idea to appreciate what we have and savour the moment. I'm good at forgetting but not at forgiving:)

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  22. Anonymous3:15 AM

    Living 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 !!

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  23. perhaps my favorite poem I've read... full of wisdom, truth, acceptance and gratitude.

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  24. shared this with some of my meditation teachers, they loved it!

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