Its not the thought but its passing
that leans hard into the wind-
out standing words left
in the dust of regret and failure,
too soon forgotten
and no longer regarded.
Nouns and verbs
hanging on the line,
flapping in the cold breeze of memory.
The tales told will not be remembered
and the lies or untruths
are not long for this world.
Speak now or forever
hold your peace.
What peace is this that you should call it so?
What water under the bridge
flows directly to the point
of no return?
When will the words that must be said
be said – so that the ears and hearts will hear?
Such truths may be self evident
but not realized
until the final trumpet sounds.
thecourseofourseasons
Observations from the Garden
thecourseofourseasons 
Kathleen–this is just a beautiful poem–it brings to mind all those epiphanies that one has and lets slip away–it happens I guess increasingly in age–but at any time in life when the groove that we are in is so strong. Not just epiphanies of course but declarations, observations–simply loving words–this is expressed just beautifully–the mixture of the adages and the felt truths is very effective. k.
stark reality in the last line -beautiful composition-strikes the readers thoughts
those trumpets sure know how to tell the truth
Born to Strife and Contention
A wonderfully written poem!
waiting for that last trumpet
Thought provoking and sincere poem.
Great ending, thought provoking .
“What water under the bridge
flows directly to the point
of no return?”
Loved the beautiful metaphor, you built your piece to a great close.
The ending lines are stellar ~ Perhaps we learn at last until the very end ~
“I don’t want someone to believe my lies, I need someone to accept my truths.”
― Kellie Elmore
What an excellent and strong poem.
Very honest and to the point. I like that.
Groovy piece. Love the opening line and the end line.
Strong, metaphoric, prophetic, clarion–but somehow you do more than rail against the bellicose nature of man, you touch on the warnings signs, on the surreptitious theft of liberties; like your lines /when will the words that must be said/be said/. & then when those words of dissent spring up in the wake of your words? Take any ten men, whether redneck, pacifist, or priests, bare their souls, test their morality, their honesty, immerse them in conflict, lies, deceit, harm–& you will get the split, the opposing views, the anger, the bloodshed; wish it were not so.
I love the abstract nature of this. Yes, all the largest wars are still people, one at a time – hurting and hurting each other. Great job.
Introspective, and thought-provoking, leading right up to the saddest trumpet sound I heard in a long time at the last line.
It definitely is good to hold one’s peace. (peace, being the opposite of war?)
This is amazing.. The lies and truth has so much to do with what it’s all about.. and when we hold the peace the war is upon us..
One of your finest for sure….”When will the words that must be said
be said – so that the ears and hearts will hear?” That is the big question, my friend.
A lot of thought-provoking lines, Kathleen.
nice play there in the end on one of the founding documents of our country….truth and untruth have a lot to do with war…and with our liberties…we need to speak now…if we don’t use our voice…it will be taken from us…
A poem like this comes around every so often – such a masterful piece of art – one of your finest, Kathleen.
John, I am so humbled by your words of praise. Thank you.
Those first two lines–wow. I mean, the whole poem is so strong, but if someone can read those first lines and not be compelled to read on, there’s no hope. Excellent!
Jeff, thank you so very much. Your kind words are appreciated.