Journey to Ixtlan

The poem “Is the Ocean” was prompted by a poem title “The Girls Who is the Ocean”. I opened up the gender and then explored the tug between possibilities and unrequitedness.


Is the Ocean

The one who is the ocean
or was by my memories
the breadth I loved to walk aside
or drown in sum ecstasy

the former I lived by the day
proximity to the surf’s invite
fury in the rush to the shore
submission in foam’s withdrawal

the latter was only in my dreams
submersion leading to bliss
the gateway was sleep’s restraint
with shadows as residents

there everything is a shade
be the dream in moon or sun
the shine of sun does not aid
when outcomes are the same

I awake from the visions
as the waves touch my feet
horizon calls, sand to ground
part of my life, then and now.

© 2017. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170422.

“Lessons Honored” was far too easy to write. Sometimes I wish I could struggle through a poetic theme. I would if it were something that I did not have a frame of reference in.


Lessons Honored

The more I love the less I know
of why I seek to extend my soul
beyond the bounds of mortal flesh
to another person seeking same
this may seem plain on the face
you’d be right to say this thing
that all should find another one
to share a life on this globe.

This is my puzzle, hex to unwind
of distraction and properness
what to do when life serves up
attraction tainted from the first?
from predilection to life lessons shared
the reasons are diverse for charm’s progress
yet these are marred by questioning
launched from the mind to dodge distress.

Where past lessons should inform
compiling notes on connecting hearts
(this does happen, it is true)
a tome of fears is writ as well
A moves to B, but then to C
with the latter pain’s designee
the last remembered more in time
than that with joy instead of pain.

I’ve harped on pain, life’s travail
while ignoring the truth revealed
by writ of lessons, knowledge passed
the less I know, that mentioned
it’s born of seeking more than self
asking who may fill the void
finding walls imposed by self
by lessons honored in the mind.

© 2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170327.

“Tears to the Earth” is another poem about breadth of love across barriers constructed by society.


Tears to the Earth

When sorrow weeps in gulfs too far
between those who are meant to meet
enchantment spurned for decency
by a society that knows not of love
the rules set high are evil's child
when tears could flow for joyous cause

this is my wish for those with chance
to find another dear to their heart
no matter the form the other has
if both consent to the embrace
the world should choose let it be
instead of decrying biology

Procustes would have his say
perhaps he does when some object
only one blueprint will comply
meld the flesh to set way
the bed of iron with options set
this or that, no mix or match

puzzle pieces are thought to fit
only one way to reveal true love
if the box is only picture viable
sadly nature is more complex
tapestry changing as lips touch
gender is second to love's embrace

when passion struggles to find its own
the match of souls have need of more
beyond the sorrows of dogma's text
the path forward must be had
the tears imparted to the earth
should be of joy sprung from love.

© 2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170303.

The poem “Unwritten” began with seeing the title in a Tumblr posting. I thought about what it could mean, and the resulting poem almost wrote itself.


Unwritten

Unwritten could mean two things
the absence marked by void’s presence
or taking back what has been put
my words of passion lay somewhere there
in this duality of the null or the oust
perhaps the muse will explain

the first asks for creation’s touch
cosmos too large to put to words
genesis of the edge performed
the latter was put to the page
committed for all to see
then removed from consciousness

so when I say my love for you
has been unwritten in poetic terms
you’ll wonder where it may lay
does it still wait in shadows long
or has it been removed from authorship?
the muse may know, will they tell?

© 2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20170224.

Poetry is best written when it is inspired by the poet's life. The poem "Three Small Words" is about a statement of felt fact that I cannot say, yet I found a way to express it through lyrical declaration.


Three Small Words

I dare not say those three small words
now almost slipped as I spoke my mind
they'd tip the my world with no recourse
but to be one with the syllables
each one innocent on its own
dire criminals when they are combined
a truth too raw to be let loose
I'll look to them to find the cause.

The first is one designated
the ninth letter of the alphabet
singular expression of being's self
referring to speaker of utterance
what role it has is not my choice
in this pronoun always capital
victim or rouge is optional
each in its time as the words progress.

I'll skip past the second to the last
focus of my sentence now addressed
fully present at this time
though not in person, just in the mind
my focus removes all the world
I'm pretty sure it was there before
now a single point is all I view
as my mind turns to the deepest truth.

Romance is in the middle phrase
this deep affection is edge of fact
though if I look for Cupid's dart
I'll fast admit that adoration was the start
I've fallen oh so far
I hope the bottom will never come
four letters have sealed my fate
a door will open if I merge the thought.

I'll not combine the tender words
It would be easy to tumble forth
express sentiment for another to hear
still I hold my tongue against the urge
I make this choice before I release
no greater thing I'll ever find
more than enough to arrest my heart
this statement held prisoner from both of us.

2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20170118.

The poem “Say the Same” is dedicated to couples who struggle to tell each other that a unting love has taken them victim, and that the next steps are waiting in a shared journey.


Say the Same

If I told you I was in love
really not kidding, the real thing
would you believe my fervent phrase
spoken by one with so much to lose?
to declare those three heartfelt words
opens a door through which I must then proceed
sharing the stage with another
the next act in a land populated by two.

In the past I could lie to myself
say I didn’t need the company
with all the trials this would incur
the aggravations when I deny the joys
though this hollow is felt within
no other was needed to feel complete
this I tell myself as I try
to find a reason to hold my tongue.

Now my heart is filled with joy
with a single person held responsible
a balloon would fly to the moon
if delight in you were its helium
soaring high into the sky
beyond my reach, into waiting arms
elation asks too much from me
does this glee mean you would say the same?

In my mind the thoughts are consumed
filled with visions of what could befall
two people who confess their hearts
of falling far beyond the comfortable
to be in love is not enough
if unreturned is to be its fate
so my flame, the one I adore
please say the same, if not before.

2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20170108.

I use to fall too easily into love. I’d dance on the edge, enjoying the view, and then BAM. The truly heinous part of the experience is that I would find myself in that place of being in love before I was fully aware it had happened. I’m not speaking of loving a person. I am speaking of the act of energetically connecting to another, and doing so in such a way that release is never fully realized except under pain of something stronger, like hate. Now I guard myself, loving freely, but refusing to tiptoe to the chasm of falling in love.


Fell Too Deep

I fell too deep in love
ground vanished in a blink
into devotion’s arms
before I knew I'd tripped
a tumble helped by Cupid
his arrow in my side
in state I'll remain
until he takes it back.

I gave my heart away
surprised that it was gone
when I looked to see
the hole now in its place
it was a sleight of hand
magician's most sly trick
to make this hollow
another must fully sate.

I found lunacy when
sanity slipped its leash
chasing dreams
that made devils blush
as angels fitted me
with madman's chains
constraints only fit for
love's darkest dreams.

I'm now stuck in this pit
wondering where the exit is
feeling nothing where my heart
used to beat to compliment
my mind escaped to dream of one
with cobwebs left to silent scream
love, sweet love, be gone my friend
remove your barbs, set me free.

2017, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20170104.

I pondered a poem for a competition themed by quote of Ray Bradbury that included the words “You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for”. I write about many things. Some are joyful and others are despondent. All are expressed because I love to write, and at some level, I lovingly embrace what I write about even if it pushes into the darkest corners. The poem “Love of High and Low” speaks to the varied output of the honest writer.


Love of High and Low

In the morn the pen is held
by happy hand or less than that
it matters not in my heart
the love is there for what I write
afflictions seem to bend my will
even as I express beauty’s charm
I continue to scribble thoughts
requested by one beyond the doom.

Though darkness may press within
imaginings of my fevered brain
too long thought to know the way
the words I use reveal the path
if love were only pretty things
life would find the worst to complain
instead I find that the most tender spots
are born by love of high and low.

Life’s varied fount provides the source
the reason to keep marching on
God has asked me to share
all of creation’s mighty breadth
to these I write with greatest love
in varied terms that span the world
from pain to pleasure the globe does turn
each written for compassion’s arms.

2016, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20161227.

I wrote “Something Else” for a poetry competition that asked a PALINDROMIC poem. This is defined as “that reads the same forward or backward”. The topic of the poem is about where relationships can go when they progress beyond the “like” and move to something other than “love”. It sprung from a waking thought that matched the first and last lines of the poem. The following is the original “forwards” version.

FRONTWARDS:

Something Else

From like to love or something else
this is the path we’re meant to take
as time is spent in company
there are ways this may end
the likes are passage one must cross
to find what’s on the other side
an adventure fit for two
on life’s pathways beyond the like

Infatuation is the doppelganger
confusion mounts when copy reigns
this is the baser of the pure
muddled feelings as like grows
mistaken for the true thing
fascination mocking adoration
best move along and not commit
when the false feelings do intrude

Admiration thinks the world
of the subject beyond the like
seeing more than others can
imparting value where they are
inspiring same by lesser folks
master’s touch above the norm
that is me in a world below
looking up to the greater one.

Obsession is the personal touch
emotion spun to the darker side
when love appears as something else
mistaken for a kinder way
prompted by a lustful stamp
asking what should not be had
as an option only one can see
the other wanting nothing else

Sympathy only wants the best
for another felt special enough
asking God’s holding grace
when the fancy moves along
welcoming best than better
better over good is the want
good is not enough for the one
when high wishes are deserved.

These mixtures can be the end
when love is not the destiny
of two who move along
finding places all may see
some are good and some are bad
perhaps it is better not to go
still one must try to move
from like to love or something else.

2016, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20161125.

Meša Selimovic is credited with a quote that begins with “Everyone says love hurts, but that is not true”. The poem “Love as the Source” is inspired by his words.


Love as the Source

If I say I love
then feel hurt
I’m confused
about the heart
rejection pains
loss inflicts
envy spites
loneliness same
these are not
love’s embrace
so confused
by ego’s tricks
by lust’s urge
each so false
the truth concealed
of life’s heal
love is the thing
revealed at last
if there is hurt
do not expect
you will find
love as the source.

2016, Sean Green. All Rights Reserved, 20160925.


“Everyone says love hurts, but that is not true. Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts. Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love, but in reality love is the only thing in this world that covers up all pain and makes someone feel wonderful again. Love is the only thing in this world that does not hurt.”
– Meša Selimovic