Lost Poet

.

This desk with its scattered papers,
blotted ink and unsealed envelopes…
passages penned and tossed
in the confusion that lives and breathes in my mind…my heart

Distance frames the walls of
the addressed…since canceled 

Splintered dreams on the edges are worn,
time has shaved the moments…the places
on broken calendars swinging freely 
of lost dates scratched within the numbered boxes

Sorrow carved in the fine oak grain
by an empty pen with dulling point…dented

Poetry sits meaningless
with rhyming phrases of hope…wishes…love
begging for but a brief visit,
only to be discarded between reams of teardrop leaflets

Verses formed deep within a vacant heart,
a lonely space, emptied by the loss

I write in an absolute mist,
fog induced renditions of another’s touch, 
formulating in the same words…always the same words,
repeating in the darkness that sighs in rhythm of a flickering candle flame

Over and over,
echoing the halls of this barren heart

Shadows drain the breath
of hopeless desires…built on manicured dreams
within a world collapsing in shredded
prose, and fractured fingers, still writing

I am lost 

without her… 



10/14/16
The Poet's Ache
Greg Barden
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Thomas Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 10:06 AM
I was lost in this one Chris; tears at the rim. ...too many favorite lines to quote. Old pains ache anew... a truly mind stunning write Chris. ...literally
Green Avatar
January 2, 2020 at 10:13 AM
Wow, thank you so very much my friend. I am thrilled you found this one and enjoyed it so much. I appreciate your visit and kind words.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
August 29, 2017 at 2:31 PM
Wow Chris, I'm sorry it took me so long to read this one. You move me. You are a wonderful writer my friend and I do so hope for happier ink will to flow from your deep within. Till then tenderness. xomo
Green Avatar
August 29, 2017 at 2:34 PM
Thanks so much my friend and no apologies needed here. I am just happy you enjoyed it.
Walker Avatar
August 18, 2017 at 3:06 PM
Overflowing with deep emotion, this gets right to the heart and the pain is felt. You are a true artist in conveying feeling in your writing. Congratulations on your well deserved win my friend :) !!
Green Avatar
August 18, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Lenna, your kind words always bring a smile to me regardless of how sad I am. Thank you so much my friend
Ashley Avatar
August 12, 2017 at 6:42 PM
Hi Chris, I felt gut-wrenching pain reading your poem. So relatable and superbly written, emotion anguish and tension throughout. Beautiful poem. Congratulations on your win!
Green Avatar
August 14, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Thank you for your kindness Susan
Lindley Avatar
August 11, 2017 at 2:54 PM
LOVED EVERY WORD OF THIS FINE POEM.. CONGRATS ON YOUR WIN MY FRIEND. Such majestic imagery and deep thought in this piece.
Green Avatar
August 14, 2017 at 12:44 PM
Thank you so very much Robert
Hamilton Avatar
August 11, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Fog induced renditions of another's touch, just wonderful phraseology Chris. I read Greg comment, and now I understand why I love both of your writing, similar world view, similar experiences, similar styles, everything makes sense now, congrats on a fine placement!
Green Avatar
August 11, 2017 at 12:08 PM
Thanks so very much John. I appreciate your kindness my friend.
Barden Avatar
August 11, 2017 at 4:06 AM
What can I say, Chris? You write so much like me, and I don't mean the same style, but you SEE things the way I do - place importance on similar things - feel things in much the same way, (I hope you'll take that as a compliment), and I adore your work! Congrats on SEVENTH PLACE!! :-)
Green Avatar
August 11, 2017 at 9:06 AM
Thanks so much Greg. I am happy you liked this one. It was a honor to place in your contest.
Allison Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 3:12 PM
Such a tearjerker of a poem Chris. Sadly there are many who can relate relate to your experience:-( hugs Jan xx
Green Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 3:32 PM
Thank you so very much Jan for your kind words. Yes, I'm sure there are many who can relate I just wish I wasn't one of them. :)
P  Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 1:40 PM
Another sad one, my heart hurts. Last stanza is really a tearjerker. Even forlorn, your poetry is amazingly lit.
Green Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 1:43 PM
Thanks so very much Paloma for leaving words that bring a smile to my face. Your visits are the light in my day.
Chircop Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 11:22 AM
I hope this is fiction..but emotions feel raw and real...Exceptional poem..Tugged on my heart-strings..A fave
Green Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 11:53 AM
Thanks so much Charmaine, I wish I could say it's fiction. I appreciate you bringing a smile my way.
O.J. Hunt Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 11:08 AM
All I can say is Wow, loved how you dropped the last line. Great write Chris, very impressive Keith
Green Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 11:14 AM
Thanks so very much Keith. I am thrilled you enjoyed this one, sometimes you just have to let a broken heart write what it wants.
Smith Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 10:54 AM
I feel every word. We are told to move on, be happy but how can one be happy if our soul is empty.
Green Avatar
October 14, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Exactly Tim, I don't think it is possible. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
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