Conservatory lights
illuminating as I exhale
cigarette smoke from a mouth full of words
I will never speak.
Something so easy,
an answer so simple,
eighteen nights since I last stood at the window.
The night sky is clear,
and everything’s changed.
The corner sits empty,
bottles untouched,
poems unwritten,
tears I refused to cry.
Cold air bites my skin,
tiny lights in the sky look down on someone entirely different,
and I smile.
I close the window.
… I don’t need it anymore.
zen and the art of borderline maintenance
April 4, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Hey you, this is FANTASTIC. Your talent blows me away my dear. Impressive and just beautiful. Love the picture you chose to go with it. This poem made me smile because I could feel it. “cold air bites my skin” ~ what lines you write!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 4, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Thank yooooo! I love the picture too, it’s an old favourite.
poetryroad
April 4, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Vivid and real. Great poem.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:35 am
Thanks for reading, poetryroad.
1stjoeyanna
April 4, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Beautiful!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:03 am
Thank you very much, it’s appreciated!
brokenpenwriter
April 4, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Loved the flow of your thoughts in this… loved how you pulled the reader right down into your thoughts and looking at the stars, seeing the big picture and making the decision: you can do this.
Nice work, halfway!!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:02 am
Thanks, brokenpenwriter, it’s good to see you around!
judithatwood
April 4, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Love, sweetheart! This poem is sad, and beautiful in equal measure; I love it, and I might even recognize you as the author!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:01 am
Heh. I’ve never thought of my poems being recognisable… has to be a good thing, right? Love to you, Judith!
judithatwood
April 5, 2012 at 2:42 am
It most certainly is — you have a very straightforward, honest style, while still keeping some of the mystery. I do enjoy it, very much.
free penny press
April 4, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Nicely done.. honest poetry makes the best poetry..
I have a poetry zine.. let me know if you ever would like to submit some words
-lynne-
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:00 am
Hi Lynne, thank you! I’ll check it out.
Ink. [Anette]
April 4, 2012 at 10:38 pm
Beautiful. Really beautiful.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 12:00 am
Thank you very much, Anette.
Wyoming Diva
April 5, 2012 at 1:54 am
Very thoughtful – thank you for sharing!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 2:05 am
Thanks, Wyoming Diva, I appreciate the comment
ryoko861
April 5, 2012 at 4:34 am
Wow, that’s profound! I can understand that completely!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 5, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Thanks, ryoko
Words Asunder
April 5, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Epiphanies… amazing moments… well captured here. Nice.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 6, 2012 at 1:23 am
Thanks for taking the time to read, Words Asunder
‘Asunder’ is one of my favourite words, incidentally.
Amanda
April 6, 2012 at 2:45 am
“…cigarette smoke from a mouth full of words I will never speak.” <3
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 6, 2012 at 4:10 am
Thanks, Amanda <3
willowdot21
April 6, 2012 at 6:18 am
That is so sad lonely and lost but it has a strong ending. Keep your spirits up
Cerridwen
April 6, 2012 at 10:11 am
A moment of clarity and catharsis in a life altered irrevocably by some event or incident involving another – a timeless trope. Here’s my offering this week: http://caridwen.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/drafting-in-memoriam-adrienne-rich/
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 6, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Thank you very much for the encouragement, Cerridwen.
Hema
April 6, 2012 at 11:15 am
Wow…thats bold and beautiful!:-)
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 6, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Thanks for reading, Herma!
Hema
April 7, 2012 at 8:43 am
You are welcome!
checkout my site when you have time.
http://hemarao.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/at-the-poolside/
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 8, 2012 at 3:24 am
I will, thank you
emanita01
April 6, 2012 at 8:49 pm
The corner sits empty,
bottles untouched,
poems unwritten,
tears I refused to cry.
I REALLY like the imagery of your phrases! Thanks for sharing them
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 7, 2012 at 12:57 am
And thank you for reading! It means a lot.
emanita01
April 7, 2012 at 8:32 am
My pleasure ^^
elliebloo
April 6, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Very lovely. Full of life’s moments.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 7, 2012 at 12:56 am
Thanks for stopping by, elliebloo
Tally
April 7, 2012 at 1:52 am
This has vivid imagery and no small amount of power. One of my favorite poems read so far, you are a wonderful writer, keep it up!
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 7, 2012 at 4:14 am
Aw, thank you Tally! <3
dasuntoucha
April 8, 2012 at 1:26 am
Visual and precise…nicely done.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 8, 2012 at 3:05 am
Thanks!
Sasha Jenna Spears
April 8, 2012 at 2:58 am
powerful opening,
love the message or sentments.
halfwaybetweenthegutter
April 8, 2012 at 3:05 am
Thank you, Sasha.
Kay Salady
April 8, 2012 at 3:23 am
Dang! I have felt this! Wow, what a write!