I Stand Here

I stand here, spinning rhyme;
child of destiny, soul of time. 
Born on this benighted sphere;
Absent grasp of why I'm here. 
Summoned by a distant voice;
made aware of surfeit’s choice. 
Confusion reigns, coruscant light;
alone I stand in abject plight. 
I am static, prey of change;
I abhor the constant rearrange. 
Portrait of all I abjure;
life a schism to endure. 
Thus I let my spirit soar,
for I am meant for so much more.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:26 PM
I just love this!! I don't know what placement you got with it, but it was a well deserved win, Mark
Peterson Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Thanks, Andrea. I’m always grateful for your comments on my work. I placed 9th in the contest.
Devonshire Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Our place in the universe is a source of consternation, but your place as a poet is very clear. Congratulations on your win, Mark!
Peterson Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:38 PM
Thanks, Carolyn. Your comment made me proud of my work, and now I’m resting peacefully in afterglow.
Gauthier Avatar
October 21, 2018 at 9:53 PM
Congrats on your win, Mark.
Peterson Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:41 PM
What joy to see your name here. I’m delighted with your comment.
Lawless Avatar
October 21, 2018 at 9:02 PM
Ah, the words, the vocabulary in the hands of the poet, raised to art.
Peterson Avatar
October 22, 2018 at 6:57 PM
John, I can only say that heretofor, I have attempted poetry. How humbling to me now that what you said hints that when I’m alone, underneath my breath, I might dare to call myself a poet. I’ll never this...or you either.
Faulkner Avatar
October 21, 2018 at 12:29 AM
Quite impressive vocabulary, love rarely used words like 'surfeit' 'abhor' and 'schism' (going to have to look up 'coruscant', that's a new one!) Congratulations on placing in the contest!
Peterson Avatar
October 21, 2018 at 5:49 PM
Thank you, Michelle. Of course vocabulary is useful when pertinent, but on the street, it's often considered impertinent. Thank goodness for poetry; however, once a poet commented that he didn't like needing a dictionary at hand when reading poetry. I marveled at this. Imagine: a poet that didn't want to learn new words. You might enjoy my poem "Tethered By Life." Best to you.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 8:23 PM
Would make a lovely oration booming in voice! Though suffering, you still see you are meant for so much more! Congrats, Mark!
Peterson Avatar
October 21, 2018 at 5:52 PM
Thanks, Kim. Alas, I'm a second tenor, and I seldom 'Boom' since life has counseled me to be mild. Thank you so much for commenting. I wish you the best.
Smith Avatar
October 20, 2018 at 9:48 AM
A brilliant piece Mark, I'm so happy to get acquainted. I'll be back for more...
Horsman Avatar
October 8, 2018 at 7:06 AM
Oh how true your poem rings, and sings into my mind, i'm with you all the way with this gem...
Peterson Avatar
October 12, 2018 at 4:30 PM
Harry, thanks. I read several of your poems and one can only aspire to heights you have reached. I am so pleased and honored to hear a few thoughts from your mind’s express.
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 8, 2018 at 4:41 AM
Change is the inevitable, the constant we must all face. I fight it at times but I always lose. Another gem to keep tucked away. Wonderful Mark! : )
Peterson Avatar
October 12, 2018 at 4:26 PM
Change is a process, not an event. Yet I’ve formed myself on different ways, though I am still obdurate. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Sharp Avatar
October 8, 2018 at 12:21 AM
'I am static, prey of change'... I can identify with this all too closely, perhaps for different reasons, perhaps for similar reasons. Very poetic and artfully expressed, as always.
Peterson Avatar
October 8, 2018 at 12:29 AM
You make my day. As I drift off to sleep, what comfort you’ve conveyed—the comfort of good friends who read and then favorably react: a blessing for my mind.
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