Not Entirely About Living In New York

I’m sorry for my flaws
I appreciate everything you do for me
I wish I could always smile at passing children
I wish I felt better about myself
I wish I saw the light you provide for me
The light I voluntarily turn my back from
The light I’m suppose to drink 
As if to keep hydrated.

I’m surrounded by quarters and unfinished books
I read because I’m searching for affirmation
Quarters for clothes to be kept clean.

I’m divulgent
I parade my flaws
I hide, trip, and reveal my flaws
I am in constant concern of my own being
And a stillness of thought for a mind to be kept clean.

The world is a messy place
Our mind the raking of leaves
The leaves of the world fall and we rake
The leaves of the world fall and we rake
We fall and awake and fall again.

Love is warm, harmless, and stamped
Inefficiently weak by the assemblies of faces
Swept up by the world’s business of cold linear time
Moving like a sad and brutal train.

I sit at the station
My fingers interlocked pressing against my face
Peering through the thicket of my spirit.

Hours later, maybe, I am looking up the hill
Pulling my elephant.
Children circle around my small progress
Skipping and laughing.

(They don’t care,
They just like elephants.)

Though, last night, I dreamt I rode a killer whale
And so here it dawns on the weakened spirit:

That I am the Whale Rider of the Phantom World
Wandering through 10th Avenue
My flaws in our wake
My fist pumped high in the air
In the name of a Life Authentic.

This all dreamy and wonderful
While in the world of machines and mass movement
The elephant keeps his slow, tugging gait behind me,
Ignorant of dreams.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Gist Avatar
January 18, 2016 at 6:35 PM
Like it's written from the inside out... Nice!
Sergi Avatar
January 17, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Hi Matt: I love your style of poetry and expression. My compliments!
Gupta Avatar
January 10, 2016 at 9:21 AM
Multifaceted as a gem. Full of packed thought-molecules.
White Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 8:51 PM
I love your analogies. Your craftiness weaving words with wisdom and emotion through your voyage. New York is a cold and collective cascade of many personalities. Well done.
Bhagavan Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Not entirely about living in New York, when l read this poem, I felt much more than something that I could not tell you what was it now. The poem is really fantastic; I'm sure. The thoughts and images it has aroused in me are true genius. I will read and reread it again and again. Cheers
Timperley Avatar
January 1, 2016 at 1:45 PM
I concur with Lee Brownlee [I think] Inside is a turmoil but you keep grasping forward to make a reason for moving forward. I like this write. Elephants never forget , because they can dream of yesteryear and probably better times past. Not sure now. is that dreaming or ruminating? God Bless. D.
Brownlee Avatar
December 31, 2015 at 3:35 PM
Matt, I have enjoyed reading your poetry very much. I feel a little bit of you attached to each piece after you have written it. Your imagination is conclusive, in that you seem to release a bit of your self-doubt and self-view with each line. Yet you keep searching for more to evolve from your writing. Thank you very much.
Crisafulli Avatar
December 31, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Wonderful Poem.
Brown Avatar
February 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations on your win in Debbie Guzzi's contest "Free Verse Seriously". A well deserved win Matt. Love, Carol
Pettit Avatar
February 15, 2011 at 6:29 PM
A great descriptive poem about living in New York. Congratulations on winning in Deb's contest with this entry.
Haick Avatar
February 14, 2011 at 4:26 PM
Congratulations on your grand 3rd Place Win in the contest, Matt. Always, Annalise
Calhoun Avatar
February 12, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Hi Matt - Congratulations on your BIG WIN in Debbie's contest! Best wishes, Kory
Onclaud Avatar
February 12, 2011 at 2:53 AM
CLAP, CLAP.. this poem captivates the reader!... best cheers for stunning win! :) huggs, nette
Dietrich Avatar
February 11, 2011 at 9:35 PM
Again, very deep stuff, which reads magnificently. I dub you the voice for New York! A big congratulations on a very well deserved win. LUv, Andrea
Mannan Avatar
February 11, 2011 at 8:27 PM
Awesome write Matt. Many congratulations for this success.
Sweetheart Avatar
February 11, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Congrats Matt on your big win in Debbie's contest with this amazing entry luv.. enjoy a top spot for a top notch poem..
Guzzi Avatar
February 8, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Please enter this in my free verse contest! Light & Love
Caliri Avatar
April 7, 2009 at 1:07 AM
The is poem is (also) about dreams...if it runs long than the dream must as well...eh?
Guzzi Avatar
January 22, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Wowser!!!! Fantastic, just a question "They leaves of the world fall and we rake" did you mean The leaves? or They, the leaves of the world, fall? It was long but it was worth being long!!!
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