Sunday, September 6, 2015

Waking Up

This came from a lot of places. The passing of loved ones mainly. And I mean every word of it.

Waking Up

I woke up this morning feeling mortal again,
Knowing that someday my heartbeat will stop,
That my days here will end.
With that quick and lightning flash,
It's not always just that life is too short,
though to many it really is,
It's that life is fast.
As all of this floods my thoughts.
Grabs my heart.
Wets my eyes. 
I woke up this morning feeling mortal again.
Reminders came to make sure I felt it.
That weight of those that came into my life and left marks.
And those that left before me.
All at once I remember the ones that aren't here anymore.
At the same time I wonder about my own departure.
Echoes of "the good die young,"
Coupled with others tagging me as a "good guy."
Am I on borrowed time?
If so, when do I pay that loan back?
But, I always think of who I've met.
Everyone not here.
Definitely everyone still here.
I think of it like I don't have friends,
Instead, I have family.
Believe that if I've called you friend that name is meant for a lifetime. (And more.)
It's up to us to keep it.
To make it.
To keep it strong.
To get it to grow.
Or if paths differ,
Learn.
I woke up this morning feeling mortal again.
Though not in a way that makes me afraid to die.
Instead, in a way that makes me feel this:
When I reach my end, whenever that is, I can look back and firmly and sincerely and lovingly say that I was never afraid to live and to love.

Dedicated toYOU my friends, my family.

8 comments:

Chalkdog said...

I can't help thinking of the Transcendentalists when I read this. You take the feeling of mortality from the ominous feeling of impending doom and work it into a celebration of life and what one can become. Really great job! Thanks.

M. Da Glyde Woodrow said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
M. Da Glyde Woodrow said...

Thank you for such strong words! Being that I'm someone with a great deal of experience with that literature, I take that to heart! Thank you again!

Angela said...

Hmmm I like the perspective your contemplation brings like inviting us to be in out lives from the big picture, for the long haul, from the brink of the end we witness where we have been as forgiveable as long as we were not afraid to live and to love. So its a reminder to live fearlessly and also in the moment. There is no room for regreats when you take the long look, they would be just wastes of time but we should also live with love as a priority and then have no need for regrets. Thank you for the reminder and the confirmation. I can try to do that and I want to!

Angela said...

Hmmm I like the perspective your contemplation brings like inviting us to be in out lives from the big picture, for the long haul, from the brink of the end we witness where we have been as forgiveable as long as we were not afraid to live and to love. So its a reminder to live fearlessly and also in the moment. There is no room for regreats when you take the long look, they would be just wastes of time but we should also live with love as a priority and then have no need for regrets. Thank you for the reminder and the confirmation. I can try to do that and I want to!

M. Da Glyde Woodrow said...

Thank you for the reading and take Angela! You're absolutely right! And your words to me come with great heart!

Angela said...

Please keep sharing. Poems are so inspiring and help us see the world in a deeper or at least different way. I need that broadened perspective. Thank you!

M. Da Glyde Woodrow said...

I most definitely will! Thank you for the encouragement and discussion on poetry in general and the specific themes in this one! I very much appreciate that!