I do not know how I ended up here, clicking on document after document in an old abandoned computer folder called “Old Writing.” I guess after months of trying to figure out the statistics for my master’s thesis (i.e., trying to run up a very long, very fast down-escalator), I needed to engage with whatever the opposite of science is. That’s how I found my old poetry. Poetry so old that when I was perplexed at the meaning, I tried googling it.
Taking time to upload poetry to this blog is contrary to my earlier personal resolution of using this blog for my science career. And it also messes up the blog’s SEO. However, if I don’t upload it here, I fear it will be lost to myself forever.
To any poetry-inclined readers, please keep reading. I begin with haikus…
Dog in Fall
Sun dances on fur,
Tongue lolls, laps pumpkin-spiced air,
Sleeping—Smell food! Woof!
Majestic Stallion
Obsidian eye peeks
Mane of midnight silk, solemn.
Then, thunder of hooves
Winter Cardinal
Lonesome sky, fluffed coat
Tinkling notes rip ice fabric
Blood on ivory
And lastly, we move on to the poem that had me googling for an interpretation. Upon thinking through the words, I find that I do not agree with its implications. Though I understand what I perhaps meant to say, I think this poem implies…well, I don’t want to bias you, dear reader, in its interpretation. Feel free to let me know in the comments. And be aware that I intend to write a scathing response poem to my past self.
An Unlit Candle
What is a candle without flame?
What use is a life with no aim?
Its presence clutter, its absence
Unfelt. Obtrusive in essence.
And winter’s darkness overcame.
When asked the black cloth to display,
Work, duty, can’t come, what a shame,
Who could lose themselves in sadness,
Thinking on an unlit candle?
Death comes for us to makes its claim,
But let it find us lit, aflame
With love passed on to friends and sons.
Truly, a loveless existence
Has on joy and peace no more claim
Than an unlit candle.
I have one last poem to add, but I’m rather proud of that one, so expect to see it appear as it’s own dedicated post soon. In the meantime, feel free to check out my other poems or read through the blog! I’ve been drowning in stats, but hope to have more content on here soon 🙂
Bird Lover's Musings 