Home » Poems » Robert Lindley » Myself, Armed Only With a Dying Flame

Myself, Armed Only With a Dying Flame

Myself, Armed Only With A Dying Flame


Dark travels in such a long life
early days of hungering strife
A child born to fight for it
tasting ton of salt in every spit

  
Lost on pathways that breathe my aches
Prod me restless as I sever the chase
Between day and night and promises I made
To myself, armed only with a dying flame


Days sinking past like a slow tide
no softness, that one could abide
As years sent life into a dark spin
easy came toughness, pain and sin


I have seen more than I ever could
Branches of bitterness carved deeply in wood  
Wandering eyes dismissed them as facades of a man
Who fell victim to the ride as the years fell down

  
Is there saving grace if I stop at none
I may have foreseen it all but I doubted I’d come
To terms with myself and make me turn around
From the edge of this cliff and fade away void of sound 

  
Then came love trying its very best
softness, weakness in every test
Blade drawn to parry each thrust
to live on never daring to trust

  
Swiftly gone like a bygone air
I may be nothing more than despair’s heir
Constricted by premises that haunt every corner
Shutting my eyes will mean absolute surrender

  
A weak moment, hell bore on down
life melted, each day a new frown
Love had been accepted with grace
she left without a path to trace

  
Sad night , the fight no great cause
clocks stopped, universe hit pause
Time yielded no forgiving reprieve
love lost, nothing , nothing to retrieve

  
I was again left to remain
I have but myself to blame
When the rain comes to ease the pain
I know I’ll be whispering your name

12-3-2014

Collaboration write, Robert Lindley and my very talented friend,  Jake Ponce.
Here is hoping that you may enjoy this humble team effort .
Has been my great honor to write with my friend Jake!

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gary Bateman

Date: 12/8/2014 1:53:00 PM

Robert, A most excellent collaborated write here with Jake Ponce. As with your other write I just read: "A Single Soul Cries Out," this one also has, for me, an almost "other worldly feel." The words, phrasing, and the imagery are all most exquisite. You and Jake did a most wonderful job with this poem. The refrain of the last stanza is indeed quite telling. A Super "7" and another one for my FAV file!! Best Always, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 12/7/2014 5:10:00 PM

truly excellent colab well done the both of you beautifully penned piece

Paul Callus

Date: 12/6/2014 3:31:00 PM

And it's my honour to be reading this lovely poem that both of you contributed to, Robert and Jake. Two noteworthy lines that struck me being: "Shutting my eyes will mean absolute surrender", and "When the rain comes to ease the pain I know I’ll be whispering your name". #7 // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/6/2014 6:15:00 AM

Interesting collaboration..It seemed to flow together..Thanks for the visits to my page.Sara

Eileen Manassian

Date: 12/6/2014 1:57:00 AM

It's great to collaborate with a fellow poet. You two were so in sync with this write. It seems as though you shared the same memories. Thanks for sharing.

Robert Lindley

Date: 12/5/2014 10:35:00 PM

Credit goes to my friend Jake. I wrote my part, he replied and we edited nothing. I saw the first draft and thought that's it--no need to edit. My talented poet friend agreed. His answering verses are fantastic and make the poem IMHO.

Eve Roper

Date: 12/5/2014 10:19:00 PM

A flow of words joined by two individuals turned out outstanding. Blessings Robert & Jake

Nathan D.

Date: 12/5/2014 7:54:00 AM

very sad and dark and poem you have two have penned. excellently written with a great flow to it.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 12/4/2014 3:20:00 AM

Amazing twosome and a superb write Robert and Jake!Rain coming to erase the pain as I will be whispering ur name,, my fav lines!

Jake Ponce

Date: 12/4/2014 2:48:00 AM

Hoping everyone enjoys it too. I had a great time building my lines around Robert's. I couldn't have written anything without him opening the door into this piece's world.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/3/2014 9:02:00 PM

Fantastic, all the poem flows so well, but my absolute favorite line here is "I may be nothing more than despair’s heir" Amazing! Great write you two!