And this is how it is
sometimes
I close my eyes and I miss you
when the light finally leaks through
I still miss you
but the you I speak of is not just a person
it is a place and it is a thing
filled with emotion
and marked by a time that my heart cannot escape
and this is how it is
sometimes
you know I live for the escape
somebody has to
in this world of straight lines and sharp edges
predictability rules the day
before finding familiarity when the sun sets
it’s the only way to get lost somewhere else
just for a bit
and this is how it is
sometimes
amid the roar of a thousand strangers
all I hear is a soft whisper
though the soft whisper of one
is like the roar of nine hundred and ninety nine more
yet I still can’t hear you
perhaps the crowd is too big
maybe you weren’t there to begin with
and this is how it is
sometimes
if you were to scan across the horizon
your eyes are bound to see what mine see
examples of what I could be
definitions of what I am not
and a fear that I missed my opportunity
to be on the pedestal with my peers
is there even a spot meant for me
and this is how it is
sometimes
kneeling at the edge of the bed with my head down
only looking up to make sure someone is listening
I can count my blessings
and realize why the dominos fell the way they did
in God’s hands I sleep at night
hoping for more
forcing myself to believe that there is
and this is how it is
sometimes
in the book is a bunch of pages that wait
for our footprints to make them turn
we can write our desires on a single page
with no guarantee a checkmark will follow
but sometimes our list lines up with another
allowing us to share a page until it rips
using tape to prolong the inevitable
and this is how it is
sometimes
I felt free
to do and to be
the person I saw in the mirror
staring straight was never so simple
some call it invincibility
that’s what I called it
I was invincible
and this is how it is
sometimes
do you ever stare at the ceiling
while you let your mind wander
up and down the walls and the items in between
pictures and words that tell an old story
a different life that doesn’t feel real anymore
because we all audition for the role of Pinocchio
and let history make a fool out of us
and this is how it is
sometimes
the last ball on the pendulum is the real hero
swinging out to the left before coming back in
falling out to the right and returning again
only hanging around for a split second
never enough time to get comfortable
more than enough time to know it wants to stay
holding on to let go
and this is how it is
sometimes
I imagine this all passing
being able to look back with a laugh
finally standing in front of the crowd
talking about the other road
and the streetlights that never went on
to illuminate the signs that were not there
leading me to a destination I never knew about
and this is how it is
sometimes
holding on while letting go is the only way to hold on
the doubt will be swept away with a broom
fear will be washed away by the rain
finally a clean slate with a glimmer of hope
my dream will reappear on the other side of the window
others were made
now mine will be too
and this is how it is
sometimes
I am not the only one
who stubbornly looks for a needle in a haystack
who stands alone in the middle of a hurricane
who thinks about the way others think about the way they think
who worries about things they cannot control
who wonders if they got left behind
I am just one
and this is how it is
sometimes.
I’m beginning to love Palu the Poet more than Paulo the chef. not fair!
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Haha all 3 of me (?) accept this compliment
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Hahahha! Paulo is slightly ahead.
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This might be my favorite of your poems. Nicely done, Paul.
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Thanks, George! That means a lot.
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Wow, I’m stunned… This was beautiful, Paul! Do you mind if I link to it on my page of great blog posts?
Squid
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Yes please do! Thanks!
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Very nice. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thanks for reading!
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Now I think that this one is your best. It’s like peeling the layers of our outer selves and forcing us to look at our inner selves.
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Yup, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top this one. Thanks for reading, as always!
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We’ve said that before but you always have. Bask in it!
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Made me think of
Oh Captain, My Captain” Lincoln, the hero. I met you at Jason’s Meet and Greet. Perhaps you’ll check out my site if you need a blogging tip or two. That’s what I blog about. I know people here like Matt and Tony.
Janice
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That’s a great poem! Thanks for taking the time to read. I shall check out your blog, too.
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I will look forward to your visit.
Janice
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I absolutely loved this poem! Great stuff! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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Awesome line and stanza breaks, incredible emotion. You touched me with this one, beautifully crafted
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Thank you!
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Paul, the imagery is very focused in the interior consciousness. Some times the lines become abstract haunting words and at other times leaving a concrete humanness. Anand Bose from Kerala.
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Thanks, I appreciate the analysis!
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I just accidentally (perhaps not so much so) ran into your blog and I must admit, I’m happy that I did. I loved the poem. Great stuff you got here.
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Thank you! Glad you stumbled upon it!
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A recent follower! I LOVE your blog, it’s brilliant. 😍
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Thank you! I’m a fan of your blog as well!
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Your blog is awesome…nice poem! 🙂
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That’s nice of you to say, thank you!
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Beautiful and hit me in the feels today. It’s been too long since I’ve ventured over here! Poems suit you, by the way.
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Thanks, that means a lot! Hope you’re doing well, Liz!
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I am doing fantastic Paul!! 😎
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Really enjoyed this one, full of beautiful and genuinely moving images…and the refrain is powerful – simple and profound. Nice work 🙂 Harula x
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Thank you for the kind words!
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Hi Paul. Thanks for your like on my post. Started browsing your site. It seems awesome. 🙂
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You’re welcome, it was a great poem! Thanks for checking out my blog.
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thanks for the compliment. all the best Paul 🙂
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Yep. That is how it is sometimes…
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