Jacob's Dream, by Adam Elsheimer. Image care of Wikimedia Commons.
Child wakes
the deep dark drink
Eternity
lost somewhere between
the closet and the sheets,
mother’s cries no assurance
to the ones that can still see.
Only bears might be knights
to ward reality another night;
only dolls might soothe the tears
of time’s inevitable drum.
One more night, they cry,
and the pillow does oblige.
* After the theme of imagination I laid out yesterday, I thought it only appropriate to offer up a poem to it too. It is a precious gift, mankind was given. A tragic fact that it is too often lost as the child drifts into adulthood…
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yes it is…like many other things it is lost for lack of use…and we seldom mourn its passing…as we should …a delightful read chris…hope you are staying warm out there…
I’m doing my best between mountain snowfalls!
More should hold on to a bit of that childhood imagination, world might be a better place for it. Another great verse, as always.
Or at the least, a touch more entertaining, no?
here here We are to put away “childish things” but no mention of child-like awareness. When I hit the pillow tonight I will thank God for the children around me and the child within me.
Too true! I’m certainly not the first to say it, but youth is truly a gift in such ways…
Yes, it is and this is a lovely capture, Chris. 🙂
“…time’s inevitable drum”
Oh that we could stop time or turn back the clock. To see the world through a child’s eyes is truly a gift. Nicely penned, thanks for sharing this.
They see the world in ways, and see things in the world, few “developed” sorts could fathom. There is a reason, I do believe, they call it “the magic” of youth. It may not be all roses and sunshine, but the capacity in those young minds? Astounding.
Magical! I really enjoyed this!
Such a sweet beautiful poem. I loved your phrasing–the pillow does oblige; lost somewhere between the closet and the sheets; really lovely. K.
Lovely thoughts..this line is specially beautiful :
only dolls might soothe the tears
Hope all is well ~
“to the ones that can still see.” Children do still see and it is sad that adults talk them out of it. A very nice write.
Well of course…experience has taught us their silly little worlds couldn’t possibly be viable, hasn’t it? No need to coddle or embrace the creativity now… Thank you, and yes, it truly is a shame so much of adulthood seems to be based on grinding out that imaginative spark out of us.
cool poem ….it’s a shame imagination deteriorates with age perhaps thats why we write to try and keep it alive ….thank you for sharing x
We can but capture sparks…but we do try our best. Glad you enjoyed!
I love this as I anticipate my first grandson. It is my goal, as much as possible, to preserve what he is born with, out of that deep womb of that deep dark drinketernity.
Congratulations on the grandson front! A truly magical time in its own right – and I’m sure he’s in good hands; hopefully that creativity will only keep blooming with time.
Chris…this is wonderful! Even without the commentary, your intent is so perfectly clear. I’ve been scrambling to free my own for years. Amazing what we are willing to let go of as we “mature”. Love the image you chose as well.
And a marvelous job you’ve done of doing so, Natasha. Creativity’s always yearning to get free, but personally, I’ve always gone with Jack London’s take on the matter: “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
Ah, how the pillow obliges!
This is great, wonderful imagery! It saddens me to think of when my little will grow up. 😦
I’m sure, knowing you, you’ll be sure to encourage, rather than quash, any creativity there Erica!
Chris- This reminds me of my youngest child who has it in his active imagination that things really do go bump in the night. I think he’ll be a writer someday.
Let’s hope so!
this is beautiful chris and you are right..it gets lost and we shouldn’t allow..even if it scares at times.. greetings from brighton..smiles
For way too many years, my imagination was dormant…now I can’t seem to tame it! Thank God.
Perfect picture of the child’s mind here, Chris–and I agree, we need to hang on to it to see the world the way it really is, as well as the way only a child can imagine it. “Only bears might be knights/ to ward reality another night;” Love that.
Time marches on… I enjoyed the verse.. reminds me of the things, including innocence lost of childhood…
Shashi
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/2011/11/whispers-tears-in-rain.html
A very refined and classy poem. I love the compact and focused approach.
“time’s inevitable drum.” –this is a great, universal phrase. I enjoyed this a great deal.
Well you certainly used such an imaginative way to discuss the presence or lack of, within imagination. You have done so well layering in the childlike perspectives with a very, grown, time has been lost emotion. Lovey write Chris, thank you for your always kind words on my work, truly appreciate knowing and sharing poetry with you. ❤ ~ Rose
Authentic and original. I agree that ‘time’s inevitable drum’ is a very memorable phrase.
very deep and original.
🙂
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