Coming to Terms

 

“Decision” by Sharon Sieben

 

decisions to make

despite his reluctance

a man gives his word

his only possession

that has any worth

a man makes his mark

to certify change

monumental momentous

one thin sheet of paper

four corners of contract

delimit the sum of the pain

hard elements stoically

formed into cold resignation

a coming to terms

with the fiends of necessity

one hand to heart

with the other to heaven

a man gives his word

to commence with the

shatter of yesterday

gather the pieces of

life as he knew it

deliver them unto

the mercy of fate

with a prayer

she will make of them

some new tomorrow

with aspects at least

of a honeyed contentment

to sweeten the

swallowed regrets

Discovery

“Beauty of Imperfection” by Blenda Tyvoll

what is perfection

but that moment

of exquisite peace

when you find

contentment with

your imperfection

 

(originally posted April 2013)

Self-Realization

 

“Realization of the Self” by Blake Hughes

 

it must have passed him by

that moment of greatness

a lifetime of waiting

for something astonishing

something that never would happen

how sad is that lifetime unlived

so much waste in the waiting

the pitiful longing

for some nonexistent arcane

remote source of self-worth

all the time unacquainted

with manifest wherewithal

held in his own two good hands

all the genuine greatness

no more than a matter of mind

an authentic assertion of will

whose reward guarantees

a deep quiet contentment

Lucky

 

Photo by Catherine MacBride

 

 

comes a time in a marriage
when a lucky few realize
their spouse knows them
better than anyone ever
could know them from inside
and outside and underneath
flesh and blood costumes
behind even purpose-built
images flattered by mirrors
the world holds in hand
knows them full in their
glory and gristle and bone
and in knowing them nonetheless
loves them beyond any love
they could ever in honesty
manage to feel for themselves
comes a time in a marriage
when that lucky few find
an exquisite contentment

 

(originally posted January 2014)

Grandchildren

“Moontide” by Claire McElveen

 

 

moons surround me
give my tides iridescence
content in my sky

Solace

“Contentment” by Anthony Noa

 

remembering years
worried for whom I should be
are past

acknowledging years
content with whom I became
are now

Fame

“Pebbles” by MV Ellison

plain pebble that never stands out

content to be left in the background

unnoticed imperfect yet pleased

to accept the warm love of the sun

unwilling to waste useless energy

trying to shine when a dull gray

humility serves to support the

conviction to stand in place

shoulder to shoulder among

fellow stones holding ground against

weathering wind and the walkabouts

escorting ruinous passage of time

a noble existence of steadfastness

more to the purpose of igneous life

than to haughtily sit celebration as

prizes in pockets of rockhounds

en route to a fated display on soft beds

of sateen in antique glazed vitrines

fame is fickle and fleeting a thing to be

chased by those lacking of confidence

scrabbling for worth in untrustworthy

whims of a changeable external world

*********************************

“Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character.” – Horace Greeley

Adventure

“Trail’s End”
Painting by Erin Hanson
From pinterest.com

you were the adventure
nothing short of amazing
a dazzling force of nature
the experience destiny
placed in my pathway
exquisitely timed for the
moment this boy reached
outside of himself into
precincts of heart unfamiliar
uncertain and oh so seductive

you were the adventure
allowed me along for the ride
our exploits were legend
our crossings and climbings
impetuous driven by wonder
replete with discoveries
little regretting the choices
or accidents marking our way
to this place of our rest and
reflection and gratified prayer

Asylum of Time

Remnants of Art Therapy
in an Abandoned Asylum
Photo by Tom Kirsch
From opacity.us

late do the calendar pages
come quietly
peaceful in season
of soft shortened sun
that abbreviates days
time enough to look back
from this slower paced place
on the life of a year
on the noise of its speed
time enough to reflect
upon choices and judgments
behaviors and accidents
all of which led from
the bedlam to here

late do the calendar pages
come provident
safely removed from
the perilous paths
of that journey through
frenzied existence
now given its respite
its final arrangement of solace
the culminant chapter of time
colors fading to gray
all the senses less busy
no longer in want of excitement
content with their imminent
turn for the end

Chelonian

“Surreal Turtle”
Computer Art by Matteo Pontonutti
From pxleyes.com

(Regarding the land tortoise)

a journey of miles
undertaken by inches
wanting no speed
each step an intimate distance
destiny held within hand

resolute stoic
possessed of a patient
dinosaur brain
knowing firsthand of land
more than wisest of men

undeterrable
simple in virtue of goals
food and progress
a creature whose example
can teach of contentment