Brian Sambourne Poet Free verse

Tears

Why weep so easily in old age?
Vulnerable to memory that thins
No substance,
A sparse waterfall
             like draped silk on bony shoulders

We need reminding about what to celebrate
                                      what is safe
                                      what has vanished

Thoughts, unmoored by time, meander like smoke from a mosquito coil
                                                                toxic trailings
                                                                wafting scent
                                                                death waiting

Mind puzzles that have no solution
No connective tissue to certainty
Constrained by feeling soiled in one's own skin
Dulled by the familiarity of waste

Long lasting space debris between two ears of grey reasoning,
                                               unable to tell what's coming next
The beautiful agony of labored movement 
                                               that can't stop fighting the current
To savour bits of light, forever closing in
This feeling of entering history in the narrow arc of night

Mortality swirls on the horizon,
                 changes all calculations,
As tears of glass
                 bead on white plaster skin.













Poem composed: March 2020
(revised: March 27, 2021)

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Duke Beaufort March 29, 2024 at 9:13 AM Brian, if you are referring to the decline of a soul in old age, that is certainly sad and cause for tears of frustration. There is a lot to think about here. I imagine, we all have a lot of unanswered questions to deal with and I can think about this poem on that level as well. Thanks for getting me thinking today! Brian Sambourne March 29, 2024 at 10:46 AM Hello Duke, My first posting, once again, was a glance back to long term care residents in wheel chairs. So many of the elderly cried without external prompting. Some continued to fight aging's anvil. End of life reflection can yield tears only sourced to that individual's life experiences. With much appreciation for your visits. Brian

Harry Horsman August 22, 2021 at 9:06 PM LOve reading respected poets first post, and wow, this is a gem, Once retired, i helped out in a kitchen of a care home, here in Perth Western Aus, so can relate truly to your poetry...When time give my poem 'voice in the wilderness' a read, all from my experience of being there. Brian Sambourne August 22, 2021 at 9:24 PM Hello Harry, Hope that you are well looked after down under. In 2002, I stayed in Sydney for 2 glorious weeks. Local fires, though, kept me grounded in the city, but I had a glorious time, nevertheless. I will give your poems a read. Thank you for your kind remarks on my first posting. All the best, Brian Harry Horsman August 22, 2021 at 9:09 PM sorry Brian 'A voice in the wilderness'

Richard Lamoureux June 23, 2021 at 6:50 AM What a stellar first poem. What a unique way to express this stage of life. It should make me feel disturbed but it somehow feels triumphant. Brian Sambourne June 23, 2021 at 8:41 AM Hello Richard, Thank you for reading my work. Over the years, I have visited many nursing homes as we lost family + friends to decline. My visits were to comfort but visions of what might be in store for me were ever present. Take care of yourself. Brian

John Hamilton January 5, 2021 at 6:54 PM Beautiful in it's sadness , congrats Brian on a nice win! Brian Sambourne January 5, 2021 at 9:11 PM Thank you, John, for sponsoring the contest. Best wishes, Brian

Sara Kendrick January 5, 2021 at 4:26 AM Very descriptive and emotive. I enjoyed reading your work. Thanks for all the visits to my page. Sara Brian Sambourne January 5, 2021 at 7:31 AM Hi Sara Thank you for reading my submissions. I appreciate your visit to my poems + kind comments. Best wishes, Brian

Paul Callus September 5, 2020 at 1:50 AM This is metaphorically striking, Brian; words coming from years of experience, undoubtedly! Regards // paul Brian Sambourne September 5, 2020 at 5:49 AM Hello Paul Thank you for your message. Yes I have had much experience looking after strong souls time levelled, robbed of vigor. Life's cut to us all sadly. Be well. Brian

Kai Michael Neumann May 25, 2020 at 3:43 AM Hi Brian, congratulations on your win in my contest. Kind wishes, Kai Brian Sambourne May 27, 2020 at 2:11 PM Hi Kai Thanks very much for your thoughtful congratulations + for sponsoring the contest. Best wishes, Brian

Aditi Mishra May 24, 2020 at 6:34 AM This is so heartfelt Brian, emotions flowing through your words. Congratulations on your win :) Brian Sambourne May 27, 2020 at 2:15 PM Hello Aditi My appreciation for your positive response. Unfortunately tears in the elderly seem to flow more readily as folks reflect on life lived and lost. Be well. Brian

Charles Barry April 10, 2020 at 3:11 PM marvellous similes ! I don't know how old you are Brian but I am in my 50s and 'two ears of grey reasoning' sounds sad but true...'white plaster skin' also sounds apt especially now that I hand sanitise every day! Brian Sambourne April 10, 2020 at 9:56 PM Thank you Charles for your encouraging comments. . I am in my 60's. My aim is to find an arresting image, and expand it through metaphor and simile. Be well. Sincerely Brian