Tuesday, December 14, 2010

places

place I used to be
when I was on the threshold of youth
that oak tree
where a three legged dog slept at night
on the edge of the lake
holding hands with a boy
I kissed in the dark nights
the dog is gone
boy is gone
I go there to find palpable emptiness
see you standing in the shadows
your arms reaching out for me

"you bring newness to this place of forgotten era"

36 comments:

Andreas said...

Of your poems - the ones I've read that is - I like this one best. The ways in which our pasts live on - in us, and the places we inhabit (or that inhabit us) -so beautifully told. The oak tree and the three legged dog: the details that make good literature.

Dulçe ♥ said...

WOW
These words are full of fulness, everywhere, so no emptinessee possible
Love your poems Gautami!
D.

Lyn said...

Heartfelt dreams and wishes..and lovely details!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful nostalgia - I really enjoyed reading this poem

Brother Ollie said...

Stong piece - really enjoyed it. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Gautami this is impressive as always. You said so much in so few lines.

Trulyfool said...

gautami,

You again prove your poetic chops!

The 'you' found at the end -- a mystery, not just a stock 'love' ending!

Trulyfool

signed...bkm said...

Lovely sound to this poem...really enjoyed it ...gone, but not really ever gone...bkm

One Stop - The Place For Poets, Writers and Artists said...

yes beautiful and poignant interweaving of time in this poem

Thanks for sharing with One Shot

MDW

joanna said...

A poets poem,,,, the kind of poetry that sings to a poets heart full of meaning and poetic creativity.

joanny

Shail Raghuvanshi said...

Lovely poem Gautami.

Anonymous said...

This amalgam of nostalgia with a tinge of sadness, is yet a happy poem, gentle and beautiful.

Tilly Bud said...

The wistful tone adds to the sense of nostalgia.

Bubba said...

Sweet and tender words. I can't imagine why the boy ever left.

Nice One Shot, Gautami!

Brian Miller said...

nice...the past passes, though not always easy to find a newness waiting to be seen...

Anonymous said...

I like the imagery in this, especially the connect between the memory of the first few lines and the shadow of the last few.

-Nicole

PattiKen said...

Nice. The three-legged dog was a nice touch.

How wonderful it would be to go back again, and find what one thought was lost.

Rachel Hoyt said...

Beautiful words of meaningful places. :o)

Rhyme Me a Smile

Claudia said...

bringing newness into forgotten places...this is beautiful

Rajlakshmi said...

a touching write... absolutely beautiful

Desert Rose said...

Touchy..beautiful..damn,it is just so true..nothing last forever,but emptiness that is refilled with our choices.i definitely am enjoying reading you more with every post.thank you so much for sharing..:)

Sheila said...

your sentiment is despondent yet hopeful as well. I am amazed when someone's writing makes me feel two opposite feelings like yours did here. In my humble opinion, this is a sign of a great poem!

barbara said...

nice turn between the palpable emptiness and the reaching (empty) arms.

Anonymous said...

The longing and loneliness is, indeed, tangible here. Creates a mood of wistfulness bordering on sadness very nicely. Fine piece of writing.

Steve Isaak said...

This weaves well the spell of youthful places. Good piece.

Myrna R. said...

Oh, the memories you've stirred. How nicely done.

Kavita said...

As part of its unpredictable nature, Love seems to have this beautiful way of filling up empty spaces...
I like the way the built and tension was created here...only to end so beautifully..

Teresa said...

I love your attention to detail. You really have given a glimmer of hope to an otherwise sad poem.

Reflections said...

Fond memories fill time lost, with hope of loving again, filling the emptiness today.

Katherine said...

What a soft look back through time. Seeking emptiness only to find love. sweet flow on this one Gautami

Mary said...

Gautami --- This truly is a VERY touching poem!! I like this very much.

Anonymous said...

Very familiar. We all need our special place. Very comfortable.

Judy Roney said...

Beautiful, bittersweet poem of love and loss. The beauty of the scene presents itself through the details you add. Bravo!

flaubert said...

Absolutely beautiful Gautami.
Pamela

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/thursday-poets-rally-week-35-december-16-22/

I wonder if you are interested in poets rally,
Link in a random poem, visit and comment…
Poets return favors and follow the rules, thus, hope that you won’t miss your opportunity to make new poetry friends…

Happy Friday!
Stay Blessed!
xoxox

annell4 said...

Very nice write! I loved it!