Wednesday, November 24, 2010

marked

I advanced into the graveyard
hang out behind granite markers,
wondered how something marks ones life,

I did not pander to my instincts
words invoked action-
I shuffled those around

things you wish you hadn't done.
so much time passed
before you knew the difference,

I looked back for flames
that I never believed in.

27 comments:

Jae Rose said...

It is remarkable how a life is remembered with a few letters in stone..I love how you portrayed this..Jae

red-handed said...

Good. Keep going.

asuqi said...

"wondered how something marks one´s life"

Indeed. Nicely written!

Gemma @ Greyscale said...

The flames of the hot place somehow burn into the subconscious, whether you believe or not! A lively piece of writing!

cj Schlottman said...

"I did not pander to my instincts" is so powerful. This poem is very thought provoking and well done.

Thanks..........cj

Nanka said...

Epitaphs repose on gravestones and those few words there on life can rekindle those dying embers when you stand pensive before it.

Ramesh Sood said...

I looked back for flames
that I never believed in

Yet flames finally makes us believe in them..liked your poem as usual..Gautami..

Do look at my take on these prompts ths week..

Dick said...

Powerful and effective. A keeper, I'd say!

Anonymous said...

Perhaps those unbelieved-in flames were in a cold ashpit! Interesting poem.

Tilly Bud said...

My father did not have a gravestone for quite a while after he died; it was distressing to me, as if he had never existed.

Linda Jacobs said...

I love how the first line sets the tone for the entire piece. Heavy thoughts. Lots to ponder in these few lines.

Jack said...

Gautami,

Read 5 poems now. All I will say it is a pleasure to read you, though little sad at times.

Take care

nan said...

I think I prefer flames to the stone. Flames mark illusion?

barbara said...

I wonder if we are all watching for those things we don't believe in.

ms pie said...

concrete words gautami... there's nothing like a graveyard to put our lives into perspective...

flaubert said...

Gautami,
I love graveyards so much to think about while visiting one. Nice one.
Pamela

Elizabeth said...

Carefully thought out words. Especially like your shuffling of words that invoke action. And the time passing between doing and knowing the difference. And yes, I would look back as well. Thank you for this one, Gautami, it holds its own deep beauty,

Elizabeth

hedgewitch said...

An interesting batch of images, and thoughts, unsorted but lined up anyway in a neat row that works effectively toward the conclusion.

Anonymous said...

Very powerful poem, Guatami. I love wandering in a grave yard musing on the lives of people. Here in parts of Nevada, the "OLD WEST" we have markers that read things like: Hung for cattle wrestling... So many untold stories.

http://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/big-tent-poetry-the-gospel-according-to-st-john/

Tumblewords: said...

A provocative piece - superb final two lines....

irene said...

Thought provoking!

EKSwitaj said...

eerily beautiful

DollsAndSpooks said...

thanks for your kind comment on the poem i submitted. ;-) I like changing the looks of my blog, I will probably change it again after a few months. you know, just to keep things lively. I hope you will pay my blog a visit again, i am looking forward to writing a new poem. Blessed be!


http://charmedwishes18.blogspot.com

Deb said...

Those last two lines are super. Marked was a good word for you.

Bone said...

things you wish you hadn't done.
so much time passed
before you knew the difference,

I looked back for flames
that I never believed in


Wow. Amazing lines, Gautami.

I visited a cemetery just last week where my grandparents are buried. Similar thoughts.

dolorah said...

Very intriguing; and emotive piece.

......dhole

Hal Johnson said...

I often feel like a caveman regarding poetry. I appreciate it, but I feel kind of goofy when I try to comment meaningfully. But gosh, this stirred me.