Greg Gaul | + Follow Poet |
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The Onliest Place

I've since forgotten nearly now
All my schooling, my meditations
I am where I am, my tracks all gone
Gurus, the sentients, seers, sages
Enlightened speakers through the ages
Only conclusions, refrains remain
I hear loud voices along the way
Their slogans, sayings, mere repetitions

Arguments of logic: Descartes, Sartre
Shadowy souls of philosophy past
Silent statues sounding shallow words
In corridors of museums of thought
Feeling a self-imposed island
Then who to turn to, except myself

Comforts of ego, identity once known
Deception consumes my reality
It's lonely here - onliest here
The place of no illusion, no paths
Letting go, one of the toughest things
Cannot say what benefits it brings

My trail, my wake, has dissipated
No one to see my self dissolution
Allay fears, dry my tears, prod my peers
This, the unique uncommon moment
Now is the time for my commitment
Observing for me has long been done

Every solitary step: best be brave
The ringing bell can't be unrung
Reality's song can't be unsung
Reality has no forward or back
No such thing as time, only being
Just me to face, the onliest place

 10/20

Copyright © Greg Gaul | Year Posted 2020

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Beata Agustin Date: 8/13/2021 11:50:00 PM Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing your wisdom through your awesome poetic style. God bless you. Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/14/2021 12:22:00 PM Thank you Beata, and congrats to you too for your recent placement.

Gary Radice Date: 8/11/2021 10:54:00 AM Greg..what a wonderfully, deep, reflective poem. "This bell cannot be unrung"..I recognize this phrase from kind comments you once made to one of my own poems and it's meaning resonates with me louder now. Like Sam I've read this poem over. It's exceptional. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 1:51:00 PM So glad and thankful that this poem has resonated with you. Such intellectual integrity that you have. I applaud your mindful journey. Be well dear bard.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 8/11/2021 10:09:00 AM Congratulations on your win. A creative write. Love your line, "The ringing bell can't be unrung." So True. Enjoy your win with blessings................. Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 1:54:00 PM Paula, you seem to always point out the best in everything. A most gracious and beneficial talent in kindness. Thank you so much for noticing and commenting.

Sam Kauffman Date: 8/11/2021 9:34:00 AM Greg, congrats, high five and kudos for you win! I have read and re-read this poem several times and each time I see something new - that is the true mark of a great poem. There is poetic richness in each stanza with your well chosen words and images as you come fact to face with "me." Well done! Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 2:03:00 PM Sam, I think you have faced the "me" within. If I am right, your expansive talent and writing will continue to reflect your deepest spiritual understanding. This is the essential work of the poet.

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 8/11/2021 7:48:00 AM Greg I love this poem! beautifully done! congrats on your win!! Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 2:07:00 PM Krish, I greatly appreciate your reads and thoughtful commentary. Thank you.

David Kavanagh Date: 8/11/2021 5:21:00 AM Indeed Greg what is done is done, and cannot be undone, only serves as a life lesson, wonderful poem here, cutting into our perception of reality, what else can it be but being, congratulations another top poem here, cheers David Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 2:06:00 PM David, your visits are so helpful drawing me back from ego illusion into reality. Thank you and be well friend.

Christuraj Alex Date: 8/11/2021 5:03:00 AM The ringing bell can't be unrung Reality's song can't be unsung - Beautiful Lines. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply

Rama Balasubramanian Date: 8/11/2021 4:59:00 AM Congratulations on your well deserved win. Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 2:12:00 PM Rama, much thanks for your kindhearted commentary.

Unseeking Seeker Date: 8/11/2021 4:58:00 AM Thank you for participating in the contest, Greg and congrats on your win, with this amazing inspirational work! Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 8/11/2021 2:11:00 PM Thank you for your thoughtful hosting and all the effort and time you dedicate to other's work. Truly a labor of love.

Constance La France Date: 11/8/2020 5:35:00 AM Greg, congratulations on your win in my HM's and NA's October 2020 Challenge _Constance Login to Reply Greg Gaul Date: 11/8/2020 6:59:00 AM I greet your comment and award with singular delight as I recognize Constance that you are a most discriminating and thoughtful judge and poet. Heartfelt thanks.

Susan Ashley Date: 11/6/2020 8:04:00 AM Greg, your poem is deep, introspective and tinged with depths of dark emotions. Every line a poetic treasure. In the end, lonely is the moment of now, in the onliest place, with just you to face it alone.. your last amazing stanza concludes with sad dramatic beauty A great piece. Congratulations for your fine win in Constance's contest.. ~Susan Login to Reply Susan Ashley Date: 11/6/2020 7:08:00 PM ah.. Greg, I would say that your poetry shows that you are sure of mostly everything.. you just don't know it.. ;) Greg Gaul Date: 11/6/2020 3:55:00 PM Thanks so much, Susan. You always capture every nuance. Nothing wasted on you. After all, really all poets want is to be heard. Your comments are so validating, even to those of us who aren't sure of mostly anything.