All Things Will Pass

" Time is the thief you can not banish "
Phyllis McGinley, writer 1905-1978


In the silence found in a burning sunset, I count the years
which have passed filled with wondrous wonders
that endlessly reveal themselves
like trembling birds hidden in the gray ashes
of my mind's burnt fires from yesterdays

In the evening's calm, they begin to glide
with shaded wings, floating on a fleeting horizon
of tender memories above a mind's meadows
  filled with shadowed images
moving away leaving imprints of fallen grass
   which grow ever distant

Like a kite tethered to my passing years
they dance on memory's winds
   twisting and turning while pulling away
to become a distant star of light remembered
found in the darkness of spent wishes and dreams

It's where a mirror slowly spins between the shadows
covered in every tear that has fallen
    in search of life's laughter
now wrapped around the gray wrinkled skin of my flesh
woven into a coat worn by my soul

Alone, remembering yesterdays, I watch the sunset
before my darkness falls to bring silent eternal sleep
   I wonder
if every memory was real or imagined

Knowing everything dies I whisper the words
   " My God Life was Beautiful " 


11/7/20 contest Writing-Challenge...Quote Inspired
sponsored by Constance La France
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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De Beaulieu Avatar
November 20, 2020 at 11:59 AM
Hello Frederic Parker, yes there is beauty in life. It is all around you. Enjoy your day my friend.
Roper Avatar
November 16, 2020 at 6:24 PM
beautiful, Frederic, congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve
Kendrick Avatar
November 16, 2020 at 12:22 PM
Enjoyed reading your winner. Way to go. Congrats. Sara
Watt Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 5:51 PM
Frederic, so many powerful images of the passing of time: sunsets, birds, shadows, wrinkles, darkness, sleep. Congratulations on your well-deserved top win ~ John
Dietrich Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 3:33 PM
absolutely stunning. A fave!
Lamoureux Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 5:18 AM
This poem is beautiful. Congrats.
La France Avatar
November 15, 2020 at 2:03 AM
Frederic, congratulations on your win in my Quote Inspired Contest with this excellent poem, nice music too _Constance
Hamilton Avatar
November 7, 2020 at 11:34 AM
I so love the way you write Frederic, if not for you and a few others I would have left permanently months ago. This is a stunningly beautiful poem of memories and introspection. An instant classic...oh and a fave! An obvious winner to me!
Parker Avatar
November 7, 2020 at 12:17 PM
thank you John for your kindness
One Avatar
November 7, 2020 at 8:47 AM
Life is beautiful and it is full of beautiful things and people... there are ugly things also, but must focus on the beautiful Greta poem
Parker Avatar
November 7, 2020 at 12:18 PM
yes silent one, focus on the beautiful we must
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