Poetic Illustrator

POEM OF THE DAY

At This Moment Of Time - Delmore Schwartz

Some who are uncertain compel me. They fear
The Ace of Spades. They fear
Loves offered suddenly, turning from the mantelpiece,
Sweet with decision. And they distrust
The fireworks by the lakeside, first the spuft,
Then the colored lights, rising.
Tentative, hesitant, doubtful, they consume
Greedily Caesar at the prow returning,
Locked in the stone of his act and office.
While the brass band brightly bursts over the water
They stand in the crowd lining the shore
Aware of the water beneath Him. They know it. Their eyes
Are haunted by water

Disturb me, compel me. It is not true
That "no man is happy," but that is not
The sense which guides you. If we are
Unfinished (we are, unless hope is a bad dream),
You are exact. You tug my sleeve
Before I speak, with a shadow's friendship,
And I remember that we who move
Are moved by clouds that darken midnight.

In life, we exist only in part,
In a world where dreams unfold,
We govern with authority from our heart

In life, we are somewhat humbled,
By forces that challenge our faith,
And individuals who crush our aspirations and schemes

What becomes of us when we relinquish control,
Who are we without our aspirations and hopes,
Drifting aimlessly like the wind?
In life, we are partly human,
With beating hearts,
And minds that scrutinize all that exists,
All that has been, and all that will come to be,
We are fractured.

I lost myself.

I placed my hand on my chest
just to feel my heart beat again,
while my mind runs in circles.

I can't express how I feel,
how my heart strangles itself to death
each time I think of a future without you.

No, I'm not seeking your pity,
I don't need it.
But the truth is, I'm hurt,
and each sigh is a cry for help
that no one hears…

I'm dying inside.