This Body

[_Shannon_]

This Body

Each of these folds of skin
a chasm
with sides so steep they make
a secret
of the roaring water
chiseling
its life-giving gorges
unstopping
from girlhood to the wide
deep rivers
of grey-haired years where
convergence
of many lifetimes flows
returning
to the vast salt womb of
the ocean.

[hillwalker]

Wonderfully direct - a single sentence conveying a lifetime's history and cleverly combining womanhood and motherhood into one shared image.
It's simple yet strikingly expressive, showing how much thought went into creating this piece.
Love it.

[Hawkman]

I have to agree with hill in all respects. Excellent poem.

[PrinceMyshkin]

It reads indeed like the unstoppable flow it describes and comes to such a calm, seemingly transcendent conclusion.

[_Shannon_]

It reads indeed like the unstoppable flow it describes and comes to such a calm, seemingly transcendent conclusion.

LOL! I love getting older.....I suppose I have the luxury of early middle-age to be able to say that....but I love knowing who I am, and being comfortable with my body, my mind, my flaws and virtues. It was my birthday a couple days ago and several people wished me "Happy 21-st Birthday" or some such, and couldn't understand when I would answer "Oh no.....I don't want to go backwards!! I don't want to do it all over again."

Thanks y'all! :) Any weird parts or fixes I might need to look at?

[hillwalker]

What - for your bod? or the poem?

If the latter, I would say none at all.

H :-)

[_Shannon_]

Rofl!!!:rofl:

[Delta40]

I love your description of aging. beautifully expressed.

[Bar22do]

This is fine, graceful and serene... and my preferred part is:

"deep rivers
of grey-haired years where
convergence
of many lifetimes flows"

Thanks _Shannon_ - warm regards - Bar

[_Shannon_]

This is fine, graceful and serene... and my preferred part is:

"deep rivers
of grey-haired years where
convergence
of many lifetimes flows"

Thanks _Shannon_ - warm regards - Bar

Thanks :)

I like the idea that we have many selves throughout our lifetime, but that they are still the one life. I don't know if that's true for everybody--but I know that has been true for me. I can't imagine 30 years from now how many more lives we be added.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Thanks :)

I like the idea that we have many selves throughout our lifetime, but that they are still the one life. I don't know if that's true for everybody--but I know that has been true for me. I can't imagine 30 years from now how many more lives we be added.

I remember my former wife saying at some point in her thirties that she hoped to live her life so that she would surprise herself when she was fifty.

[Revolte]

It reads indeed like the unstoppable flow it describes and comes to such a calm, seemingly transcendent conclusion.

Yeah I have to agree with this :) I liked it alot

[Bar22do]

Thanks :)

I like the idea that we have many selves throughout our lifetime, but that they are still the one life. I don't know if that's true for everybody--but I know that has been true for me. I can't imagine 30 years from now how many more lives we be added.
Yes, an ongoing revelation, always different aspects, dimensions, gifts, circumstances, in one bouquet of our days (especially when we can feel past and future are relative)! this is what makes, me at least, eager for life, open to the unknown that unveils...

[Buh4Bee]

I struggle with this and it is beautifully described. It is easier to embrace age than fight the current upstream.

I love the idea of returning to the ocean once it is all over.

[qimissung]

Great metaphorical rendering of torrential life...

[hack]

I like this.
I hear people say "If only I could be young again, and know what I know now."
I would not wish to be young again, but if it is required, I hope I am stupid as I ever was.
...peace...