Old Poems

This particular poem is mirrored. I had never seen this be done before, but wanted to write a poem that could be read word-for-word backwards and still be pertinent. I purposefully and carefully crafted it to portray death as it happens, through the eyes of the deceased. Written in 2006. 

(Then, only then you’ll see.)

Look there, look! See—then die.

Hearts darkened, darkened from sadness and smiles lost of light.

Forgotten, say never!

In there hidden but

Seen only, not loved

Are memories and friends forgotten

The darkness guided from moving hearts

Informs heaven of something;

Life becomes death, oh death!

Dark and bleak and cruel and unforgiving

So, seems it bitter.

Stop! Don’t go! Hear and listen

Voices deep inside.

Forever going, desperately;

Look! Blindly look! See—then die.

Die then see. Look! Blindly look!

Desperately going forever;

Inside deep voices

Listen and hear. Go! Don’t stop!

Bitter it seems

So unforgiving and cruel and bleak and dark

Death oh death becomes life

Something of heaven informs

Hearts moving from guided darkness.

The forgotten friends and memories

Are loved, not only seen

But hidden therein

Never say forgotten!

Light of lost smiles and sadness from darkened, darkened hearts

Die—then see. Look, there look!

Then, only then you’ll see.

My Last Horizon

The older I get the younger I die

Behold the wary passer-by

In frigid fright of first my breath

I hold upon my own bod’s death

And cringe in simple sweetness oft

In deepened thought nay hard nor soft

Upon life’s lock the ship-gates swung

And soon the years of death are young

And none are left but yet a few

My sorrows, joys, forever due

I now am young, though old I be

From life, from death, become I free.

04/14/07

As I have been filtering through my old documents, I've come across dozens and dozens of poems I don't ever remember writing. It's fun to read them so many years later!