deepundergroundpoetry.com
On Memory's Wings
- On Memory's Wings -
In timeless mists, the mountain loomed above the town,
The sun's light casting the rocky cliffs into reddish hues.
And there, where soars the highest peak, a craggy crown,
The mists of time encircle, where some mystery ensues.
In my youth, I'd climbed the crevices of that stony height,
And I looked down, like a god from some Olympian domain.
Seeing tiny lives playing out before me like specks of light,
Each soul a universe unto itself, full of pleasures and pain.
How powerless, from that height, to touch the lives below!
Must the gods sometimes feel that way, though immortal?
Perhaps despair is as elemental as when the winds blow,
And hope as instrumental, as it is for every mere mortal.
I look upon my hands, now those of a woman once a child...
And think of how they gripped the stones of that mount,
Seeking safe passage, to greater heights of a lofty wild.
Was it such passing years ago, as I have lost the count?
Aye, and in my memories it is but yesterday's own deed!
Time the trickster mocks the will of gods and mortal alike,
Making memories into treasured things when is the need.
In a timeless place, my feet upon the old trails still strike!
Someplace in the mists above that mountain, in a dream,
The ghosts of yesterday still play, like fish in their stream.
Who can recall the fish of the stream, in all their schools?
And no one should think only of yesterday, save for fools.
In cathedrals of pines, the chimes are still ringing sweet,
Though my time amongst them was but a passing thing.
Yet, in part my heart is still there, walking with other feet,
The air so fresh with the scent of the forest in the spring!
Once I laughed at that day, as but a passing fair revelry,
And now I weep that it is past, and none recall it but me.
How much more weep the gods, for what they have lost!
Who mourns for them, each thing beloved that has gone?
So brief is every age of gold, and so heavy is time's cost!
Too many battles are waged, and no victory is ever won.
Yet for one brief moment in time, I would shed my tears,
For all old friends gone into the night, with passing fears.
Once I was a girl, now a woman, and I see with new eyes,
But sometimes, I must pause to consider the road I left.
Each flower's colors I did not enjoy, each rainbow's size,
I now must savor, lest they be gone so fast and so deft.
These hands, that once held rock, now hold past times...
So that for all of the ages will ring those bygone chimes,
That once I had heard there in the pines, one lovely day!
Those who are not gods have perhaps not a better way.
Where is our Elysium, where time ceases and beauty is?
Only where we make it to endure, in our temporary bliss.
Yet, though we cannot abide forever, whilst time sings...
We can still fly back to a golden age, on memory's wings.
In timeless mists, the mountain loomed above the town,
The sun's light casting the rocky cliffs into reddish hues.
And there, where soars the highest peak, a craggy crown,
The mists of time encircle, where some mystery ensues.
In my youth, I'd climbed the crevices of that stony height,
And I looked down, like a god from some Olympian domain.
Seeing tiny lives playing out before me like specks of light,
Each soul a universe unto itself, full of pleasures and pain.
How powerless, from that height, to touch the lives below!
Must the gods sometimes feel that way, though immortal?
Perhaps despair is as elemental as when the winds blow,
And hope as instrumental, as it is for every mere mortal.
I look upon my hands, now those of a woman once a child...
And think of how they gripped the stones of that mount,
Seeking safe passage, to greater heights of a lofty wild.
Was it such passing years ago, as I have lost the count?
Aye, and in my memories it is but yesterday's own deed!
Time the trickster mocks the will of gods and mortal alike,
Making memories into treasured things when is the need.
In a timeless place, my feet upon the old trails still strike!
Someplace in the mists above that mountain, in a dream,
The ghosts of yesterday still play, like fish in their stream.
Who can recall the fish of the stream, in all their schools?
And no one should think only of yesterday, save for fools.
In cathedrals of pines, the chimes are still ringing sweet,
Though my time amongst them was but a passing thing.
Yet, in part my heart is still there, walking with other feet,
The air so fresh with the scent of the forest in the spring!
Once I laughed at that day, as but a passing fair revelry,
And now I weep that it is past, and none recall it but me.
How much more weep the gods, for what they have lost!
Who mourns for them, each thing beloved that has gone?
So brief is every age of gold, and so heavy is time's cost!
Too many battles are waged, and no victory is ever won.
Yet for one brief moment in time, I would shed my tears,
For all old friends gone into the night, with passing fears.
Once I was a girl, now a woman, and I see with new eyes,
But sometimes, I must pause to consider the road I left.
Each flower's colors I did not enjoy, each rainbow's size,
I now must savor, lest they be gone so fast and so deft.
These hands, that once held rock, now hold past times...
So that for all of the ages will ring those bygone chimes,
That once I had heard there in the pines, one lovely day!
Those who are not gods have perhaps not a better way.
Where is our Elysium, where time ceases and beauty is?
Only where we make it to endure, in our temporary bliss.
Yet, though we cannot abide forever, whilst time sings...
We can still fly back to a golden age, on memory's wings.
Published 14th Jun 2015
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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The author encourages honest critique.
14th Jun 2015 2:49am
14th Jun 2015 4:26am
11th Dec 2022 3:24am
This kind of sounds like a poem about what it feels like to grow up, but to try and keep yourself just like how you used to be when you were a kid. I hope that makes sense to you, Kara! But yeah, it is really beautiful to read and has a lot of pretty images in it that makes my imagination go wild. You've seen some interesting sights it sounds like to me, I almost wish I could have seen them with you... there's a real sense of almost a deep loneliness in this poem that bothers me a little. I wish I could make it better somehow so don't ever have to feel like that again.
You are very astute, Chloe! You've nailed quite well a lot of what this poem is all about, although that is but one of this poem's many different and interconnected meanings. I have indeed seen quite the sights in my life! I wish that you could have been around to seen them with me too, but at least you are here now, and we can share the wonderful and magical aspects of our lives with each other. I would love to catch a bright glimpse of the wilder places within your imagination! I have been all too lonely in my life, but I am not lonely anymore so these things can change for the better given time. All it took was meeting people who cared for me, cared about me, and loved me... and who continue to love me. I think that the closer that you and I become... the more we talk with each other, and start to spend time together, then even more it will be that I am not lonely. In that way, you will indeed be doing your part in making certain that I feel even happier still than ever before. I hope that I too can make you even happier than you are already! But that will be quite the feat given how very cheerful a girl you seem to be. However, I am quite ready for such a pleasant task! *Smiles* :D
11th Dec 2022 7:44pm
I'll give a glimpse into my crazy world when go on the cam in a bit. My room is a little bit of a mess right now, but it's not too awful or anything. I just have a lot of my clothes out cuz I was picking out a nice and cutesy looking dress to wear for today. But I'm sure you won't mind since it's me you'll be looking at, not my silly room! I'll be the star of the show, and I'm going to be showing you my stuffed animals, my dollies, my book collection, my comics collection, and of course my smiling face. You'll get to finally hear me sing too! Just for you. I'm happy that I can make you feel less lonely in life, that makes me feel even better also.
11th Dec 2022 9:08pm
I am anxiously awaiting that glimpse! I don't mind if your room is a bit messy, a lot of kids have messy rooms like that. You are correct! I will be definitely paying attention mostly to you, rather than to your room. It's going to be the Chloe and Kara show for us today! And you my dear shall be a bright and shining star. I will be delighted to see all of your collections and things! It will be quite interesting to see what kinds of comics and stuff like that which you enjoy reading. I'm a huge comics fan also! Oh, and I haven't forgotten you will be singing for me today... and we'll be dancing too, amongst other fun and silly activities. I'll also be beginning to teach you the magical stuff that you've been looking forward to learning. With you in my life, Chloe, I am sure I will never be feeling lonely again! *Smiles* :)
