Catharsis

Tears of the past invoke frozen footprints
When fears rekindle flares of dire misery
Feeling the ache, straining blood streams
As wrinkles pop up swelling deep worries,

Holding dialogue with sustained poverty
Attempting to traverse shuttered streets--
Bent, but not broken, in grip of tragedies
Trapped in the pathos of agonizing grief
Building escape still, flexing meager means.

When in my solitude, these images I’ve seen 
Awaken me hauntingly in frightening dreams,
Grudgingly I go there, where I used to be
And see a child deep in hapless poignancy
Bleeding profusely from veins melancholy
Revisiting relentlessly orphaned memories.

Time unconsciously releases those feelings
When ode to new morn happy robin sings
As sun rises gleefully from deep blue seas
And life illuminates in golden hued beams
Oscillating winds, gleaming through trees,

And I walk with pride on the bridges I built
And thank my bright stars that lit my path
Twinkling diligently to show me the light
When obscure was the face of my dark night.

Silhouettes of yesteryear are purging now
Cleansing dread with vibrancy of spring
And jitters of nightmares in aspiring dreams
Seeing new growth in parched winter land
Like flowers rise through remains of ashes
Confronting what was, with what could be.

I have staged my play to my own melodies
And the rhythms I set to my own music
No longer evoke the prompt life gave me
As I write new chapters, create new scenes
I’m planning the ending as I wish to see it:

The story that was past, my future won’t be.

December 7, 2020
Placed 1st: Catharsis poetry contest by Silent One
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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12
Michael Avatar
January 11, 2021 at 9:19 AM
Another one in the same vein...You've developed an effective write style...it's attractive to read.
Devonshire Avatar
December 19, 2020 at 2:34 PM
You've taken "catharsis" to a new level with this compelling poem. Your line "bent but not broken" could describe the way our country is right now, Vijay. If you keep staging plays to your own memories, you'll need to debut on Broadway. Congratulations on your win, my friend! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Love, Carolyn
Pandit Avatar
December 20, 2020 at 6:08 AM
Always a pleasure to bask in your wonderful feedback my friend. Much appreciate, as always. Many thanks, Carolyn.
Jayasankar Avatar
December 16, 2020 at 10:20 AM
Just now read this Catharsis so perfect.. Great thoughts and words..Congrats on your win Vijayji.. ~ Ani
Pandit Avatar
December 17, 2020 at 5:26 AM
Thank you, Ani. Much appreciate.
Trifiatis Avatar
December 16, 2020 at 6:20 AM
Pathos, agony, catharsis, Greek words that stir the poet's psyche and lead to the apotheosis of poetic creation my friend, Vijay! Congratulations! Merry Christmas a d a Happy New Year!
Pandit Avatar
December 16, 2020 at 10:02 AM
Thank you my friend--much appreciate your visit and comments.
Proxenos Avatar
December 15, 2020 at 3:42 AM
Vijay, by now you should know me that I catch up as and when I can due to responsibilities I have towards our business which we have had for the last 35 years. This poem is an absolute gem and although you don't need luck, I am certain you won, such breath-taking poetry Hugs and blessings my friend Jennifer.
Pandit Avatar
December 15, 2020 at 5:37 AM
Thank you Jennifer--much appreciate.
Dietrich Avatar
December 14, 2020 at 10:39 AM
Glad to come back here with my congratulations. Hope you write some more new poetry soon!!
Pandit Avatar
December 15, 2020 at 5:36 AM
Thank you Andrea--much appreciate.
Smith Avatar
December 14, 2020 at 4:49 AM
Great entry Vijay, best wishes....
Pandit Avatar
December 14, 2020 at 5:29 AM
Thank you Charlie--much appreciate.
Canerdy Avatar
December 13, 2020 at 5:40 PM
I hope you don't get tired of hearing this: This is a masterpiece, Vijay! Your vivid, moving descriptions take the speaker from "bent" and haunted to healing, "seeing new growth." Janice
Pandit Avatar
December 14, 2020 at 5:28 AM
So very kind of you Janice--much appreciate your feedback. Many many thanks.
May Avatar
December 13, 2020 at 11:15 AM
Dropping back with my Congrats on your win Vijay..
Pandit Avatar
December 13, 2020 at 3:08 PM
Thank you Joseph--much appreciate.
Rodrigues Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 4:14 PM
This: And see a child deep in hapless poignancy/Bleeding profusely from veins melancholy/Revisiting relentlessly orphaned memories./ and this: As I write new chapters, create new scenes I’m planning the ending as I wish to see it: The story that was past, my future won’t be./ Nicely done! Congratulations, Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
December 13, 2020 at 5:18 AM
Thank you Kim. Appreciate you reading this rather long poem and you picked the essence of it in your comments. Much appreciate your visit and comments.
Sands Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 1:37 PM
Congratulations for your top win Vijay :)
Pandit Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Much appreciate, Heidi--many thanks for your return visit.
Rose  Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Nothing wrong with writing a good ending to your beautiful story. There is no need to live in the past, and repeat past actions. I can see you have a positive incline for the future, that is the best way to live, thank you for sharing your talented pen today, be will, stay strong, and prosper.
Pandit Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Thank you for your visit and lovely comments, Vienna. Much appreciate your kind remarks my friend.
Koplin Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 6:21 AM
Congratulations on your win Vijay!
Pandit Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 7:53 AM
Thank you Mark. Much appreciate.
Crabtree Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 5:43 PM
Back to read this one again, Vijay. Such a magnificent write. Hope you have good weekend :)
Pandit Avatar
December 12, 2020 at 6:00 AM
Thank you Angela for the return visit--much appreciate. Have a wonderful weekend.
Agustin Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 5:46 AM
Congrats for this cathartic muse of yours. God bless you.
Pandit Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:34 AM
Much your appreciate your visit and comments, Beata--many thanks.
Andresen Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 3:04 AM
- Congratulations on your win, Vijay :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Pandit Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:33 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise--much appreciate.
Daniel Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 10:40 PM
Brilliant poetry of your life, Vijay, loved that ending line:) congrats on top win:)
Pandit Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:33 AM
Much appreciate, Jo--many thanks.
Seeker Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 7:07 PM
Amazing portrayal of a fierce journey of life, childhood onwards and cleansing of trauma within. Congrats on the well deserved first place win!
Pandit Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:32 AM
Thank you, US. Much appreciate.
Edmonds  Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 4:55 PM
Vijay this Catharsis is a wonderful write, it’s not easy to get over hardships and tragedies of the past, I know because I’ve been there. That you’ve staged your play to your own melodies is remarkable. I never found it easy to do that. Congratulations on the win, it’s most truly deserved... Belle
Pandit Avatar
December 11, 2020 at 6:32 AM
Thank you Belle for your visit and kind remarks--much appreciate.
Gilmour Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 1:16 PM
Such deep emotions and suffering form this utterly brilliant write dear Vijay and such strength of character to be able to rise above all that went before and 'stage your own play' and 'write your own chapters' such an uplifting last stanza my friend. Congratulations on your well deserved 1st place win in SO's contest. With kindest thoughts Ann xx
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:30 PM
I am so happy to read your kind remarks, Ann. Much appreciate your visit and comments--many many thanks.
May Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Rising from the ashes to soar towards the light, Very nicely penned Vijay..
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Much appreciate Joseph--many many thanks.
Messina Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 12:48 PM
Brilliant write, Vijay. So much depth and emotion. Congratulations my friend on your well-deserved top win in Silent One's contest. All the best.. Charlie
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Thank you Charlie--much appreciate.
Radhakrishna Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 9:50 AM
great write I have staged my play to my own melodies! I like the way you have moved from 4 to 6 lines! like a wave of emotions! well done and congrats on top win!!
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Thank you Krish--much appreciate.
One Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 8:53 AM
Vijay you penned a deeply emotive verse, one that has a strong ending though... The last stanza is brilliant.. Congratulations on your first place in the contest..
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:28 PM
Thank you Silent One. Much appreciate as always. Many thanks for holding contests.
Callus Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 2:29 AM
You make excellent use of metaphor, Vijay. The contrast between the first and second part of the poem is a delightful mix of emotions. Well done! ~ Regards // paul
Pandit Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 5:05 AM
Much appreciate Paul--many thanks for reading this long poem. Regards.
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