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A Crimson Leaf's avatar

The first piece I post on Substack, something I wrote back in 2012.

https://substack.com/home/post/p-197842562

Frank Russo's avatar

I can feel the rhythm …… The beat of life,

it was always there,

it was always with me,

inside me and all around,

coursing through what is seen and what is invisible.

If we can only be aware…that it is always there,

in all the things that we do,

in every twitch and every stride,

in the cadence of our voices,

and in the swinging of our arms.

It started at our conception,

and carries on to our death.

This rhythm,

this beat,

….. always there …..

to set us free ———————}

Cassy Nunan's avatar

Thank you for reading.

Cassy Nunan's avatar

I'm Cassy, a disabled, chronically and homebound writer, formerly a mental health program developer and researcher. I write about serious subjects and very much enjoy writing in a facetious or amusing manner.

Here's a poem I wrote in 2020, during one of Melbourne's interminable lockdowns.

I swallowed the sword

Oh how the end of day roils.

Ravens calling their forever caw.

Our sky uniting all colours

in an end of day war.

The call finds its echo

locates its kin in the nest

in a tree embraced by sea breeze,

tricked good night by dimming light.

Voices from the street

rising with the mist sing delight

yet ring hollow.

How the end of day veil brings sorrow.

This window cannot suffice

as a mirror to the heart

a journey of joy.

For it is so long aborted

from memory and flesh across those years.

So real to touch in dreams.

Youth and love and lust

I bought it.

I swallowed the sword.

End of day accord.

augmented man's avatar

Cassy, this still lands through the lost formatting

“I swallowed the sword” feels devastating

Really beautiful, and deeply felt

Cassy Nunan's avatar

Sorry, the formatting vanished!

Phelim's avatar

And another of Matilda’s Poems on a pole which she is doing one a month of as part of her healing journey https://substack.com/@matildaleyser/note/p-192707657?r=1ddkh&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action

James C's avatar

“Never Thunders in Hades” https://youtu.be/lDVQtYdUADs?si=Fc_fc4FfYlYoLtEx

Written in the late ‘70s

Gary Gold's avatar

Published in 1972 a poem by Giusepe Ungarretti in the Italian Magazine Epocha... this is said to be the first of the "New Wolrd Poetry" as it was published just after the moon landing and the earth was no long terra firmament, but a heavenly body in the sky.

"What are you doing, Earth, in heaven?

Tell me, what are you doing, Silent Earth?"

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230511-earthrise-the-photo-that-sparked-an-environmental-movement

Rahman's avatar

There is a quiet strength in knowing when a chapter has reached its final line. 📖✨ This piece, 'Now let’s move on,' is a reminder that even when the soul feels dragged through the streets, there is a horizon waiting. Like a river finding the sea, we all eventually find our way back to ourselves. Grateful for the lessons, the 'faded shows,' and the grace that comes with starting over.".feels like a final, gentle acknowledgment: you mattered, you still do in some way, but I’m choosing to move on. NOW LET'S MOVE ON

The chapter came unwanted and she took the ending on her sake

The stories become the faded stars as if it was a piece of cake

My soul got dragged away to the streets and my tears quenched my heart

She threw me away far as this way her life moved with her cart

Now the people have the story of this mess

But the definitive response from her is that I don't care

but then also god will compute my legacy

with the moulded beads and wrapped treats without any Ecstasy

Rainbows add colour to the colourless clouds appear on sky

My chapters will never stop by you because god never lie

Time will heal the wound and I will go on

your story will become a small part after you gone

Butterflies takes away the nectar but flower never offends.

atleast a honey bee will come for the distorted head to mend.

If your sky maynot be the place where I truely shine.

atleast I will also become a part of other sky cause I won't lose a chance to breathe

My river will still find the sea and blend with it.

atleast my heart will get a smooth sigh for a bit

Still my mind is blessed to have a way through you

but now its turn to see other ways too.

Life never known and time stopped by none

Fates stones are all planned and its not for fun

My mornings will miss your hug but its time for an embrace

I hope us nothing but a life filled with grace.

Gary Gold's avatar

apologies for posting a link... I can't seem to get formatting to go into these comments.

https://tryingtokeeparockalive.substack.com/p/control?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

augmented man's avatar

"Clean your side of the street"

the whole piece reads like something you'd want tattooed on the inside of your eyelids for those night spirals

thank you, Gary

UnRedonRead's avatar

If a poem is shared do you simply post it or restack? How do I share it?

augmented man's avatar

drop it right into the comments. Readers scrolling through will stumble on it, and a poem sitting inside a conversation always hits differently than a link people might skip

Sharon Hom's avatar

Here’s link to my first centos-a sustained weaving of voices that have inspired, challenged, and blessed me. https://sharonhom.substack.com/p/beyond-international-womens-day-rights?r=2fluad&utm_medium=ios

Gwyneth S.'s avatar

A poem I wrote when contemplating my late great-grandmother's love for flowers and nature.

Fragility

The fragility of life often strikes

at the most inopportune times.

It is disquieting how easily

something so full of life

can have the light ripped from it

like a flower from the Earth.

augmented man's avatar

Gwyneth, this is so delicate and true, your great grandmother’s love still glows through every line