Existence

Life is music that drifts in open spaces
        sometimes a brash crescendo 
        that brims with the fullness of now
when stories break from narrow, rigid scripts
        stifling random routine

Life is free wheeling inventiveness 
        peacockish
        a feathered tapestry
        parading like a wedding dress down the aisle

Sometimes life is a ping pong bounce of sorrow
        giant ball
        that blurs the sky
        that covers our eyes
                              a fog creeping into ruined places

Life is a tumble of forces
        a counterpoint of malice and joy
        that goes in an unexpected direction
                              like the connective chords of love
                 an airy drift
                 amplified
                 in the ringing rush of time





Poem composed: July 2/2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Leiser Avatar
April 26, 2023 at 10:23 AM
Wow, your metaphors are super creative and thought provoking, Brian! You are very talented and this will be a fav for me! :)
Sambourne Avatar
April 26, 2023 at 12:01 PM
Greetings Laura My appreciation for you positive appraisal of my poem. I do try to write similes and metaphors with a creative bend. Thanks immensely. Cheers Brian
Dietrich Avatar
December 15, 2022 at 8:47 AM
Awesome and interesting free verse. Congrats for your win.
Sambourne Avatar
December 15, 2022 at 10:55 AM
Thank you, Andrea. Very thoughtful of you to post an affirmative note on my submission. Be well. Sincerest regards, Brian
Horsman Avatar
November 26, 2022 at 10:39 PM
Life is full of wonderous poetry, like Brian Sambourne's!
Sambourne Avatar
November 27, 2022 at 6:56 AM
Greetings Harry, Thanks very much for the encouraging message. Much appreciated. I hope that you are keeping well + writing (still) with flair. Cheers Brian
Ashley Avatar
November 25, 2022 at 9:47 AM
Dear Brian, this is yet another shining example of why you are one of my favorite poets on this site. Your creativity is ever apparent in your imaginative use of striking metaphors that are just so stirring and exciting to my poet's heart. Your artistry elevates words into the realm of a thoughtful masterwork able to exist in a fulfilling life of its own. Another fav! Your poetic gift is treasured and admired, my friend. Congratulations for your excellent win in Mark's contest. It is a wonderful honor to share the podium with you once again. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Sambourne Avatar
November 25, 2022 at 10:03 AM
Dear Susan, As poet of exemplary work, I sincerely thank your acknowledgement of my submission. You graciously support many poets on this site + your words certainly bring encouragement + joy. Be well + bountiful holidays to you + your family. Sincerely Brian
Dietrich Avatar
November 24, 2022 at 9:32 AM
a wow of a free verse poem, Brian. Congrats for the win
Sambourne Avatar
November 24, 2022 at 11:07 AM
Many thanks, Andrea, for your visit + congratulations. Happy Thanksgiving. Brian
Toney Avatar
November 24, 2022 at 8:37 AM
Brian, love your thought-provoking metaphors describing what "Life is." I also appreciate your use of the word "Sometimes" when describing the "ping pong bounce of sorrow," cuz it ain't all bad, yeah? Congratulations on your win on Mile 20 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on because Mile 21 has already started. Also, check out my blog post to view your current standing in the Marathon.
Sambourne Avatar
November 24, 2022 at 11:09 AM
Greetings Mark, Thank you for the placement in your contest. As you well note, life is a mixed bag of bon bons + coal. We savor what we can in this all too brief existence. Cheers Brian
Olaoluwa  Avatar
October 10, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Superb imagery well portrayed with simple words to captured awesome themes relating to the subject matter without drifting off readers'minds. Thanks for sharing with us
Sambourne Avatar
October 11, 2022 at 6:55 AM
Thank you very much Olabosoye for your thoughtful message + visit to my portfolio. I hope that you are well. Sincerely, Brian
Ermine Avatar
July 20, 2022 at 4:27 PM
Hi Brian Astounding imagery. I very much admire your excellence with expressing movement! Poem shimmers with gusto!
Sambourne Avatar
July 20, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Thank you, Sigrid. Very thoughtful of you to leave such an uplifting message. It made my day. With appreciation, Brian
Deo Avatar
July 16, 2022 at 6:34 AM
Superlative. O Brian, your gifts & empathy, too, shine here. Stanza 2 is a hzrd-2- narrow down favorite. Shalom shalom. And ... I love how u find moments to encourage menostracized poets. A
Sambourne Avatar
July 16, 2022 at 12:44 PM
My appreciation for your affirmative response to my poem, Anil. I am gladdened that you especially liked stanza 2. Be well. Brian
Wells Avatar
July 14, 2022 at 8:37 PM
This poem has some great metaphors and is so full of life itself. I enjoyed the free-floating bounce from one stanza to the next! Well done, Brian.
Sambourne Avatar
July 14, 2022 at 9:11 PM
Thank you, Thomas. It was an enjoyable topic to contemplate what life is, though I veered from the contemptible nature of war + violence that so mars existence. Sincere good wishes, Brian
Kendrick Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 6:47 AM
Enjoyed reading your contest entry. Reads like a good contender to me. Way to go. Your visits to my page are encouraging. Sara
Sambourne Avatar
July 3, 2022 at 7:02 AM
Hello Sara. One never knows how an evaluator perceives a poet's submissions. I thank you for your affirmative comments. Sincerely, Brian
Jones Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 7:27 PM
Nicely penned. Good luck in the contest.
Sambourne Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 9:37 PM
Thank you, Karen, for your thoughtful, encouraging comment. Be well. Brian
Woodrow Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 7:25 PM
Such unique lines of life’s imagery..there’s existence then there’s amplified life .. love the ending that ties in with your musical start… very lovely read :)
Sambourne Avatar
July 2, 2022 at 8:15 PM
Greetings Susan, As always, you are an astute reader catching the various strands that I hope to connect in my small piece. Thank you for your note. Be well. Brian
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