Journey to Ixtlan

The poem “Foundations” is about the comfort found from mentors and more experienced travelers of the same path.  Without their aid, the person seeking to find themselves is at the mercy of external and internal phobias.


Foundations

When foundations are not present
by the virtue of life’s path
self-assurance becomes adrift
among the shoals of consequence
a destination is partially glimpsed
across the span of rolling swells

once placid waters endure the storm
by aftershocks of the ground shook
paradise at last found
still shrouded in the heavy fog
without a guide a way is lost
across the tempest of life tossed

the hazards are from lights
leading to reefs of blight
with no interest for the welfare
of the voyager who seeks to dare
the safe journey may be assured
by the beacons pointing to the shore

with the knowledge of the path
traveled in the distant past
these foundations disavow
the ugly lies that have no love
in their place the self will find
the assurance of soul and mind.

© 2020. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20200120.

The poem “Patch of Ground” was inspired by a poem by Catarine Hancock with the lines “stop comparing yourself to girls like her…  you are supposed to look like you.”


Patch of Ground

Comparison sets the bar
between the haves and the have-nots
when the measure is biased towards
standards held by the high ground

appearance associated with the face
or movements set by mark of grace
offer a hill to look upon
stating merit is miles above

those contrasts of altitude
focused on beatitudes
those attributes of blessedness
perceived by those with less

the answer is to celebrate
qualities that separate
identity is held by the one
accountable to their patch of ground.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20190131.

The poem “A New Deck” was inspired by a series of dreams that confirm that my life could be different.


A New Deck

Travels far from the home place
ask the traveler to contemplate
what holds them to the land
from which the path first led

identity is bound to change
morph to fit the present day
diverging from the fair wishes
of those who saw the natal day

these circumstances are enough
even though the crowd protests
to establish a new reality
so much more set in verity

those departures that life insists
relevance found that persists
is the hand now surely dealt
from the top of a new deck.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191223.

The poem “Compelled Normality” was inspired by a friend’s remark, “until you have buried someone you love, you won't understand how hard a Holiday, Birthday, or any other day is without them.” 


Compelled Normality

The time without the loved one
once they’re buried in the ground
demands a toil from the soul
when the self has been interned

put six feet down lest the world
do the same without reserve
with permanence born of fear
by dogma too long revered

these sentiments that massacre
deviants from the conservative
asked only to step aside
from living large against the lie

the walking dead seem to survive
in aftermath of suicide
now the days are self-deplored
compelled normality forevermore.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191218.

The poem “Acceptance” was inspired by friends and associates presenting acceptance of my alternative sides even as I sense that they struggle with frames of reference to truly understand.


Acceptance

Acceptance by friends is most kind
given they don’t know my mind
even as the questions reign
traditions felt in harsh complaint

ill intent is not the goal
as reactions come and go
when the source defies a life
expectations become a lie

those deviations from the norm
presented to a perplexed world
are only measured in this way
while self verity defines my day

the combination may instruct
by actions lived the deal is struck
acceptance offered in the storm
revelation as worlds are turned.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191205.

The poem “The Measured Size” was inspired by the poet’s own discouraging attempts at attaining an equivalence of beauty to smaller sized women.


The Measured Size

Subtractions to the measured size
put to the body in respite
imaginations of what should be
are disproved by verity

searching for worthiness
in mirror’s view of countenance
majorities look across the fence
at verdant spreads they can’t express

those increments of number’s bane
stating size that damns the same
whether the measure's minimal
or double-digit on the frame

each desires reduction’s balm
shifting shapes in full resolve
to meet the image far beyond
reality’s capacity to respond.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191123.

The poem “Mountain Heights” is about the duality of both wanting to be like somebody and having a deep admiration for their beauty.  The two may be intertwined, with a peace only found in the honesty of admitting each voice.


Mountain Heights

Lust comes in many forms
some pedestrian and others scorned
each with a root that demands
possession taken with outcomes damned

this tumult is the stomping ground
of the souls who have found
forms acquired at time of birth
deny the vision found in the heart

thus jealousy is mixed with a thirst
admiration turned to an urge
to be like that which passions seek
this metaphor of the oblique

the end result is sanity
knowledge gained when cravings peak
goals are set on mountain heights
for both the body and pined delights.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191120.

The poem “The Clay” is about the frustration of living life in a world that does not fit.


The Clay

The clay has set to damn the one
wanting something beyond their form
now that time has set the frame
with assurance of no change

except for aging that betrays
desires lost in beauty's maze
looking at the warped glass
mirrors stating the opposite

perhaps a chance once thrived
to portray the paradigm
even this is held to doubt
lost in decades far behind

now the clay is only fit
to be ground by the fist
reduced to dust as nature asks
aberrations to step aside.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191022.

The poem “The Road Returns” is about the opportunity to shared alternative viewpoints with an insular group.  The traveler has a fear of being mocked for their efforts.  This trepidation is balanced against the education possible by their actions.


The Road Returns

The road returns from the north
after miles have been traversed
the traveler may be assured
that they arrive now transformed

bearing wisdom from the path
not knowing how the tribe reacts
fear is natural as the result
of transgressions imagined thus

these revelations by foreign tongue
await translation to the whole
lessons available in the heart
expressed outward for shared thoughts

the dust accumulated on the heals
proof of sights now revealed
asking only that journey’s end
instruct the whole as consequence.


© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191012.

The poem “Adornment Comes” was inspired by a dream that featured an outfit with a delightful ribbon counterpoint.


Adornment Comes

Adornment comes in many forms
this step beyond nakedness
something more than garments hung
for the reasons of plain regard

decked upon a simple frame
once the base has been set
an exclamation is desired
to shift beyond boredom’s calm

wishing only to exclaim
loveliness in the bling
by the sparkle or color’s swath
splendor following this allure

beauty blessed for all to see
charisma worn as a prayer
the mantra of a greater god
when decoration is the charge.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20191002.