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



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Date: 1/11/2021 9:19:00 AM
Another one in the same vein...You've developed an effective write style...it's attractive to read.
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Date: 12/19/2020 2:34:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/20/2020 6:08:00 AM
Always a pleasure to bask in your wonderful feedback my friend. Much appreciate, as always. Many thanks, Carolyn.
Date: 12/16/2020 10:20:00 AM
Just now read this Catharsis so perfect.. Great thoughts and words..Congrats on your win Vijayji.. ~ Ani
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/17/2020 5:26:00 AM
Thank you, Ani. Much appreciate.
Date: 12/16/2020 6:20:00 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!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/16/2020 10:02:00 AM
Thank you my friend--much appreciate your visit and comments.
Date: 12/15/2020 3:42:00 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.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/15/2020 5:37:00 AM
Thank you Jennifer--much appreciate.
Date: 12/14/2020 10:39:00 AM
Glad to come back here with my congratulations. Hope you write some more new poetry soon!!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/15/2020 5:36:00 AM
Thank you Andrea--much appreciate.
Date: 12/14/2020 4:49:00 AM
Great entry Vijay, best wishes....
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/14/2020 5:29:00 AM
Thank you Charlie--much appreciate.
Date: 12/13/2020 5:40:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/14/2020 5:28:00 AM
So very kind of you Janice--much appreciate your feedback. Many many thanks.
Date: 12/13/2020 11:15:00 AM
Dropping back with my Congrats on your win Vijay..
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/13/2020 3:08:00 PM
Thank you Joseph--much appreciate.
Date: 12/12/2020 4:14:00 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!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/13/2020 5:18:00 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.
Date: 12/12/2020 1:37:00 PM
Congratulations for your top win Vijay :)
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/12/2020 2:41:00 PM
Much appreciate, Heidi--many thanks for your return visit.
Date: 12/12/2020 9:27:00 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.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/12/2020 2:41:00 PM
Thank you for your visit and lovely comments, Vienna. Much appreciate your kind remarks my friend.
Date: 12/12/2020 6:21:00 AM
Congratulations on your win Vijay!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/12/2020 7:53:00 AM
Thank you Mark. Much appreciate.
Date: 12/11/2020 5:43:00 PM
Back to read this one again, Vijay. Such a magnificent write. Hope you have good weekend :)
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/12/2020 6:00:00 AM
Thank you Angela for the return visit--much appreciate. Have a wonderful weekend.
Date: 12/11/2020 5:46:00 AM
Congrats for this cathartic muse of yours. God bless you.
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/11/2020 6:34:00 AM
Much your appreciate your visit and comments, Beata--many thanks.
Date: 12/11/2020 3:04:00 AM
- Congratulations on your win, Vijay :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/11/2020 6:33:00 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise--much appreciate.
Date: 12/10/2020 10:40:00 PM
Brilliant poetry of your life, Vijay, loved that ending line:) congrats on top win:)
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/11/2020 6:33:00 AM
Much appreciate, Jo--many thanks.
Date: 12/10/2020 7:07:00 PM
Amazing portrayal of a fierce journey of life, childhood onwards and cleansing of trauma within. Congrats on the well deserved first place win!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/11/2020 6:32:00 AM
Thank you, US. Much appreciate.
Date: 12/10/2020 4:55:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/11/2020 6:32:00 AM
Thank you Belle for your visit and kind remarks--much appreciate.
Date: 12/10/2020 1:16:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 2:30:00 PM
I am so happy to read your kind remarks, Ann. Much appreciate your visit and comments--many many thanks.
Date: 12/10/2020 1:09:00 PM
Rising from the ashes to soar towards the light, Very nicely penned Vijay..
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 2:29:00 PM
Much appreciate Joseph--many many thanks.
Date: 12/10/2020 12:48:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 2:28:00 PM
Thank you Charlie--much appreciate.
Date: 12/10/2020 9:50:00 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!!
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 2:28:00 PM
Thank you Krish--much appreciate.
Date: 12/10/2020 8:53:00 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..
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 2:28:00 PM
Thank you Silent One. Much appreciate as always. Many thanks for holding contests.
Date: 12/10/2020 2:29:00 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
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Vijay Pandit
Date: 12/10/2020 5:05:00 AM
Much appreciate Paul--many thanks for reading this long poem. Regards.
12
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