Submissions by Ahavati
POEMS AND SHORT STORIES
Poet Introduction
Proprio Vos Sanguine Pasco
The Struggle is Real Sometimes, Brother
Or so it's what I choose to believe,
clearing all those hurdles of contrast
nonchalantly blocking our way.
Go around! Rise above! Dig under!
some would say; in all honesty. . .
I've ignorantly advised the same.
But, there are times mountain heights
are too much for fledgling wings—
not to mention bordering ravines,
their eager throats swallowing missteps;
and, don't discount the solid-rock base
bending the sharpest shovel's blade.
No, not all advice is sound nor sage;
'maybe...
clearing all those hurdles of contrast
nonchalantly blocking our way.
Go around! Rise above! Dig under!
some would say; in all honesty. . .
I've ignorantly advised the same.
But, there are times mountain heights
are too much for fledgling wings—
not to mention bordering ravines,
their eager throats swallowing missteps;
and, don't discount the solid-rock base
bending the sharpest shovel's blade.
No, not all advice is sound nor sage;
'maybe...
#universe
#faith
#spiritual
392 reads
28 Comments
'Tis All for the Best; ( Villanelle )
( After W. H. Auden )
I would say nothing like I told you so *,
Despite knowing the course your choices take;
Because I cannot interfere, you know.
Tis pointless inventorying your escrow:
Aware of outcomes, before it's too late;
'Tis all for the best; it ensures your growth.
There is no future that isn't malleable,
No nightmare exists, which you cannot wake;
Because I cannot interfere, you know.
The signs are there, in the spiritual world,
Glints of light, whispers, nudges as you play;
'Tis...
I would say nothing like I told you so *,
Despite knowing the course your choices take;
Because I cannot interfere, you know.
Tis pointless inventorying your escrow:
Aware of outcomes, before it's too late;
'Tis all for the best; it ensures your growth.
There is no future that isn't malleable,
No nightmare exists, which you cannot wake;
Because I cannot interfere, you know.
The signs are there, in the spiritual world,
Glints of light, whispers, nudges as you play;
'Tis...
#childhood
#spiritual
#philosophical
#wisdom
#WHAuden
385 reads
28 Comments
When I Am Gone
( After William Butler Yeats
for WH Auden )
When I am gone, euthanized by days' end,
My physical housing no longer apt;
And you, by water's edge, grieving, enrapt
Of moments, lingering as perfumed skin;
Eyes reflect greyish waters of the stream,
with teeth, white as river rock, sun-bleached
Atop the sandy current's countenance;
Flaxen hair, as sea grass in a marine,
Waving; and amid the reflection see
A clear resemblance: features that are yours,
Drifting within...
for WH Auden )
When I am gone, euthanized by days' end,
My physical housing no longer apt;
And you, by water's edge, grieving, enrapt
Of moments, lingering as perfumed skin;
Eyes reflect greyish waters of the stream,
with teeth, white as river rock, sun-bleached
Atop the sandy current's countenance;
Flaxen hair, as sea grass in a marine,
Waving; and amid the reflection see
A clear resemblance: features that are yours,
Drifting within...
#love
#grief
#death
#WilliamButlerYeats
#WHAuden
407 reads
29 Comments
For Physicists
( After Margaret Atwood )
Before the embryo
that multicellular organism
something cracked—
the egg, wafting
as cottonwood
suspended
within
a deeply folded
mucosal surface.
A precursor of cells
differentiating themselves
into angioblasts,
giving rise
to a formation;
roadmaps of vessels
and stem cells
segregating
into elements.
One ellele
from each parent
contains every ancestor's DNA
before us; conjoined
manufactures
its own blood and cells
to...
Before the embryo
that multicellular organism
something cracked—
the egg, wafting
as cottonwood
suspended
within
a deeply folded
mucosal surface.
A precursor of cells
differentiating themselves
into angioblasts,
giving rise
to a formation;
roadmaps of vessels
and stem cells
segregating
into elements.
One ellele
from each parent
contains every ancestor's DNA
before us; conjoined
manufactures
its own blood and cells
to...
#spiritual
#historical
#MargaretAtwood
396 reads
22 Comments
Forged
The fire forces you
from within;
Answers you find
within
From fire are we forged
a phoenix of shadow-self
shape-shifting between
the sharp aperture
of a hawk's eye
We stalk shadows
stealthily
preying upon movement
beyond
our innate (in)sight
We reach
for its contour—
that outer lining
eschewing the cusp
of light
We yearn for comfort
the way of rock—
letting go
granual
by granual;
the language of the pond—
a frog's vowels ...
from within;
Answers you find
within
From fire are we forged
a phoenix of shadow-self
shape-shifting between
the sharp aperture
of a hawk's eye
We stalk shadows
stealthily
preying upon movement
beyond
our innate (in)sight
We reach
for its contour—
that outer lining
eschewing the cusp
of light
We yearn for comfort
the way of rock—
letting go
granual
by granual;
the language of the pond—
a frog's vowels ...
#earth
#universe
#moon #spiritual
#moon #spiritual
547 reads
14 Comments
The Miller's Tale ( Pushkin Sonnet )
Young housewives—dark thrills inspire them;
but, when pressed for action doth feign
virtue against a parish man,
while bedding a more nobler Cane.
Ye husbands! heed this chronicle!
When deceit doth snake full circle
seeking to utterly deceive,
truth can be too hard to believe.
The poor husband, an innocent,
reputable among town folk,
unwittingly becomes a joke
in the sinner's moral dissent!
The husband prays for a godsend;
The parishioner! He's a...
but, when pressed for action doth feign
virtue against a parish man,
while bedding a more nobler Cane.
Ye husbands! heed this chronicle!
When deceit doth snake full circle
seeking to utterly deceive,
truth can be too hard to believe.
The poor husband, an innocent,
reputable among town folk,
unwittingly becomes a joke
in the sinner's moral dissent!
The husband prays for a godsend;
The parishioner! He's a...
#secrets
#betrayal
#parody
#satirical
#sonnet
392 reads
22 Comments
Unconscious
Conscious
I've worked my entire life
mastering my craft
I'm a designer, you see
at Masterpiece Cakeshop—
my own company
I'm not young, by far
I come from a belief
that Jesus is King—
my King, who will deliver me
I have served the homeless;
I have served other religious affiliates:
Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist
because it matters not
who enters my...
I've worked my entire life
mastering my craft
I'm a designer, you see
at Masterpiece Cakeshop—
my own company
I'm not young, by far
I come from a belief
that Jesus is King—
my King, who will deliver me
I have served the homeless;
I have served other religious affiliates:
Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist
because it matters not
who enters my...
#gay
#LGBT
#religion
#Christian
#bisexual
482 reads
30 Comments
In Memoriam
of Americans—
not just 5-star generals
or Navy Admirals;
or, the hoards
of other white soldiers
like my father
and his before;
and, his before;
but,
Code Talkers
persecuted
isolated
outcasts
unsung warriors—
their tongue confined
to reservations;
Buffalo Soldiers
alienated
shunned
rejected
obscure chevaliers—
pushed to the back
of the bus once home;
...
not just 5-star generals
or Navy Admirals;
or, the hoards
of other white soldiers
like my father
and his before;
and, his before;
but,
Code Talkers
persecuted
isolated
outcasts
unsung warriors—
their tongue confined
to reservations;
Buffalo Soldiers
alienated
shunned
rejected
obscure chevaliers—
pushed to the back
of the bus once home;
...
#war
#memorial
#gratitude #respect
#gratitude #respect
344 reads
14 Comments
No; you won't ( for JeJe )
ever have that—
what you had with him;
you will experience difference
instead
Difference that is incomparable
except to its own depth; as his
was to his, alone with you
No; you won't
ever have that—
what you had with him
But Love cannot be outdone
by heights of imagination
nor barriers of suffering;
and Love
isn't meant to be contained
anymore than a flame, flickering—
Because Love, that which you are
and fashioned...
what you had with him;
you will experience difference
instead
Difference that is incomparable
except to its own depth; as his
was to his, alone with you
No; you won't
ever have that—
what you had with him
But Love cannot be outdone
by heights of imagination
nor barriers of suffering;
and Love
isn't meant to be contained
anymore than a flame, flickering—
Because Love, that which you are
and fashioned...
#love
#hope
#friendship
#inspirational
#support
268 reads
34 Comments
Garden Thumbprint
As azaleas fade
lilacs awaken—
wild cherries ripen
honeysuckle beckons
Wisteria petals
escape the vine;
glide naked
across the lawn
There is beauty
in their demise
and rebirth
assuming its rightful place
Neutrino streams
emission of the stars—
minute particles
trillions each second
passing in light speed
through every living thing
including us
imprinting our birth ...
lilacs awaken—
wild cherries ripen
honeysuckle beckons
Wisteria petals
escape the vine;
glide naked
across the lawn
There is beauty
in their demise
and rebirth
assuming its rightful place
Neutrino streams
emission of the stars—
minute particles
trillions each second
passing in light speed
through every living thing
including us
imprinting our birth ...
#universe
#stars
#spiritual
#LifeCycle
#wisdom
453 reads
28 Comments
To You Who Perceive I am Your Enemy:
I got you, regardless
Just as the Universe
has my back; I've got yours
Because these feelings—
this misperception you possess
that I am your sworn enemy
is a false narrative you're being fed
by the thoughts in your head
trying to control the environment
We are all individuals, bridged
as intricate, threadlike mycelium
of fungi forming vast
underground networks
connecting various life-forms
into one planetary kingdom
of internet, storing vast amounts
of mainframe information
...
Just as the Universe
has my back; I've got yours
Because these feelings—
this misperception you possess
that I am your sworn enemy
is a false narrative you're being fed
by the thoughts in your head
trying to control the environment
We are all individuals, bridged
as intricate, threadlike mycelium
of fungi forming vast
underground networks
connecting various life-forms
into one planetary kingdom
of internet, storing vast amounts
of mainframe information
...
#love
#family
#TruthOfLife
#philosophical
#wisdom
466 reads
27 Comments
As they say. . .
A company recently contacted me
about my long-standing account;
We’re so sorry, Tammy!
Our mainframe crashed
and we've lost your history. . .
'We've lost your history. . .'
I thought about that
for a moment, but wasn't angry
Maybe some things need to be lost:
Grief. Bad choices. A virus.
Imagine the chance for a reset—
to lose all that history at once
Replace it
with what brings happiness:
Family. Friends. Health.
Animals. Two jobs I really love;
though I feel one is a gift
A...
about my long-standing account;
We’re so sorry, Tammy!
Our mainframe crashed
and we've lost your history. . .
'We've lost your history. . .'
I thought about that
for a moment, but wasn't angry
Maybe some things need to be lost:
Grief. Bad choices. A virus.
Imagine the chance for a reset—
to lose all that history at once
Replace it
with what brings happiness:
Family. Friends. Health.
Animals. Two jobs I really love;
though I feel one is a gift
A...
#SelfReflection
#meditation
#philosophical
343 reads
42 Comments
DU Poetry : Submissions by Ahavati