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Even This Shall Pass

My friends say this magnificent rose
Gives off the most wonderful aroma of spring
I am catching a scent somewhat obscure
As yet no recognizable thing
For I'm losing the sense 
Of smell in my nose
Perhaps what I'm smelling 
Though peculiar and unselling
Is this lovely flower 
This most fragrant rose
Most likely it's the pasture
Expelling natural gas
Which is nostalgic and familiar
With its hint of ammonia and pungent aroma
But, I fear, even this shall pass

There's the most angelic sound in the meadow nearby
That is what my lovely neighbor conveys
She jots down the melody with each bar and clef
For I cannot hear it
I am practically deaf
But I do hear the shrill voice 
Of my neighbor's young lass
Which is nostalgic and familiar
Though disconcerting and frightful
And never delightful
I fear, even this shall pass

The most beautiful creature stops at my house
It arrives every day to feed
This is just what I've heard
To me it's all blurred
For a new pair of glasses I need
But I do see the glare 
From a bonfire of grass
Which is nostalgic and familiar
Though odious and weedy
And noxiously seedy
I fear, even this shall pass

My neighbor is bringing a dinner she will baste
Which others around highly praise
The sensation for me is hardly a meal
I have lost the better part of my taste
But I savor the peppers
She always brings me in mass
Which are nostalgic and familiar
Though indigestible and spicy
And especially dicey
I fear, even this shall pass

I fondly remember my wife's gentle touch
But this sense too I now lack
If it weren't for the fall
I'd have no sensation at all
But, for these sharp piercing pains
Down my back - Alas! Alas!
While nostalgic and familiar
And though crippling and painful
It is nothing disdainful
And I fear, even this shall pass

Now when I'm gone all will be quite sublime
I will have transcended to the sixth sense
I will be free as a bird
Free from the limits of time
Reunited with the Lord of Providence

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Abdiel Rios

Date: 2/11/2016 10:30:00 AM

Good poem

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 11/5/2012 10:43:00 AM

Jon; thanks for the visit. I enjoyed your poem very much. It reminds me of a story I know, but it's too long to tell. Thanks for sharing. Lucilla

Jon A Cavanaugh
Date: 11/5/2012 10:59:00 AM

I would love to hear the story. If you have time send it to me on soup mail. Thank you for your lovely comment.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 11/5/2012 7:23:00 AM

Wow, Jon another amazing poem. There is a lot to ponder here. As we live and age we are diminished in some ways and receive other gifts in exchange of what we prize in our youth. For me I feel it has been a good exchange. Based on your writing I would say you have received a number of gifts.

Jon A Cavanaugh
Date: 11/5/2012 10:06:00 AM

Thank you Richard. Among the gifts that I most prize are my wonderful friends.