Breaking Through

I keep coming back
as if, one day, I'll find 
the illusive angle, 
that moment of perfect alignment
when the river, the clouds,
the trees and all 
that is manifested
will break open and reveal
what is really there,
when what holds everything
together ruptures 
and spills forth the sublime.

I get a sense of it sometimes
at dawn when the sun 
breaks through the clouds 
in a blinding burst of light 
and in the quiet of evenings
when a birdsong pierces
the forest with sound so pure
it seems to open a gash
in time before closing
over in a sad covering
of silence. I am granted
only glimpses as if more
would be too much 
for me, composed as I am 
of stuff made of this world,
its blunt chemistry.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kavanagh  Avatar
November 7, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Sorry I missed this one Paul, was away most of September/October absolutely brilliant write, on the cusp of true reality, takes a great poet to express this in words, some philosophers like Kant have come very close, to cutting open that (illusive angle) but he is notoriously difficult to decipher, pity he wasn’t an eloquent poet like you, belated congratulations on your well deserved POTD, cheers David
Willason Avatar
November 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Thankyou David for your kind words...lapped them up under the watchful eye of modesty. Long time since I burried myself in Kant...I'll have to retrieve the battered paperback in my library and dive in. From memory he accommodated the transcendental in his thinking. Sad how so much of the knowledge gained by the reading done in one's youth evaporates in old age, though I am sure in lurks there in the background. Again, sincere thanks David, Paul
Kitchin Avatar
September 20, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Paul, a belated congratulations on POTD. A wonderful and thought provoking poem.
Rodgers Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Hello Paul, Wow, congrats on POTD! I love how you capture those tiny, fleeting glimpses of the sublime. That bit about the birdsong opening a gash in time,so good, it gave me chills. Blessings, Paul, Daniel
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Hi Daniel, Thankyou for giving the poem your time....always good to hear from you and receive your thoughtful comments my friend. Take care, Paul
Alex Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"I am of stuff made of this world, its blunt chemistry." - A very powerful poem. Congratulations!
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Thankyou for your visit and comments Christuraj, very much appreciated. Regards, Paul
Nicole Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 7:44 PM
In dreams, there can always be a ' moment of perfect alignment. ' Your thoughts whisper hope. A place of delight. Congratulations Paul, on Poem of the Day. Many wonderful blessings to you. :) Hugs, Brandy
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Hi Brandy, Many thanks for your kind words, for taking in the poem, letting it speak. For feedback matters. Take care, Paul
Bartley Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Congratulations on this wonderful glimpse into the poetry world of Paul Willason.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Thankyou Benjamin for taking the time to glimpse into my little world. Valuevyour visit. Cheers Paul
Alhemaidy Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Congratulations on your nice p.o.t.d :-)
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thankyou Abdullah for your kind words....very much appreciated. Cheers, Paul
Wolf Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Yep. As Thornton Wilder's narrator said in the play, 'Our Town:' "We're all waitin.' Waitin' for something Eternal to break out." ... Thanks for the resonance and relevance, Paul. ~ Gershon
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Wise words Gershon...good to hear from a fellow traveller with an ear tuned to the moment...connects us to that which is beyond our own circumference. Take care my friend, Paul
Rodrigues Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Congratulations on POTD! … when a birdsong pierces the forest with sound so pure it seems to open a gash in time before closing
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Thanks Kim for your comments...for entering into the poem. Value your support. Take care, Paul
Baker Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Love your poem, Paul. Very comforting to my soul. Congratulations on your POTD honor! Enjoy your special day of recognition. Bill
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Hi Bill, Good to hear from you...honored that the poem gave comfort...found an appreciate ear. Thankyou for your kind words. Cheers, Paul
Patterson Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I love your poem it captures the human condition of seeking meaning and connection in a world that often feels disconnected. It's a search for magic in the ordinary, a pursuit of the sublime that we can only ever brush against.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Very thoughtful comments Jami..thankyou for giving the poem your time and ponderings, so kind of you. Indeed value your feedback. Take care, Paul
Anaya Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 10:06 AM
We await heaven on earth at times, the knowing that there is more behind the reality, behind the veneer eludes us. Spiritual thoughts, and divinely illuminating. Congratulations on Poem Of The Day Paul Willason! A Fave
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Thankyou...such thoughtful comments Anaya. I guess most Poets look for the transcendence in things, that which gives the world and all of creation its very existence and keeps us trying to leave a little of it in our poetry. As you said, it is illusive. Take care, Paul
Goldsmith Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful "Breaking Through" write. Have a blessed day with your win as you go writing away..........
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Many thanks Paula for your visit and kind words...valued. Good to hear that you enjoyed the poem. Take care, Paul
M  Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 7:31 AM
How truly happy it made me feel to see your name and this beautiful enthralling poem as POTD Paul…..Congratulations my lovely , lovely friend….Debx
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Hi Deb, always so good to hear from you...your comments always give me a lift. Hope you are well my dear friend... Paul
Etgen-Baker Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 3:09 AM
captivating poem...perhaps you've described a moment when you touched eternity? much to see in this outstanding poem. Congrats on your POTD designation.
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Ah such encounters are the stuff of poetry. Connects us to what seems to evade words but which we keep trying to capture. Thanks Sara for your kind words. Take care, Paul
Andresen Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 2:28 AM
- Congratulations on your lovely p.o.t.d., Paul :) -
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Many thanks Anne-Lise for your congratulatory note. Valued. Cheers, Paul
Edmonds  Avatar
September 15, 2025 at 1:36 AM
It’s a beautiful world and a wonder too. Congratulations Paul on receiving poem of the day for your engaging poem… Beryl
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Thankyou Beryl for your kind words. Appreciated. Take care, Paul
Ye Avatar
September 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
I wonder if that same sense is apparent regardless of the inherent beauty of their surroundings? Would we glimpse it anyway in broken things and worn away steps etc. I wonder whether it's a glimpse at all or perhaps a trigger of a memory that isn't there to access. Wonderful thoughts you express - enjoyed
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Hi Jin-ju, I think it all comes down to the beauty we perceive, even in broken things which is a theme in Buddhist philosophy. Probably is confined to the moment rather than memory. Pleased that the poem resonated. Appreciate your comments, regards Paul
Swan Avatar
September 14, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Yes, indeed. There is a sense of living-ness that is beyond manufacturing in sky, forest, bird and light. To me this is somewhat like the surprising content of the sky when the sun goes down and the stars that were always there become apparent. Reality and mystery together. For a Christian this is the heavens declaring the glory of God which is still a mystery. (Psalm 19). J :)
Willason Avatar
September 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Hi Jeanette, Very much appreciate the thought you gave this poem, quite profound comments. Valued feedback my friend. Take care, Paul
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace