Lantern Through All My Days
A letter to the moon, my silent witness
Shadows, darkness form, as dusk cradles the dawn
<>
Red flags — the buzzword of our age.
Only slight glimmers of light ever seen,
Red flags that say something isn't quite right.
<>
Night takes away hope; the futures are gone
They're hard to pick up on,
when your man is wining and dining you
and making you feel like a queen,
a princess or even just a class act
in a tight pair of jeans
and a nice-cut blouse
that shares your curves with the world.
<>
Gripped by guilt, by misery between
Red flags are hard to spot
when the white flags of his surrender
to your commanding force of nature
is one that he flows with
rather than striving against in vain.
<>
Red flags are always there.
As the liquor, the bark bitter stout pours
The specific time and effort he spent to befriend your parent.
Spirits entomb my hollow being
You were glad, really delighted your parents
had found someone they truly loved.
<>
But she, she breaks through the void as it bores
After so many guys not fitting their unique
and almost impossible to meet expectations.
As shadows flee, the darkness disappears
Red flags that flew under the radar
of champagne Tuesdays and Fridays at the beach.
<>
Cerulean and crimson fill my view
That were only seen for what
they truly were after it was all too late.
The poison burning through your system,
Renewed sense of self grows as hope returns
as your world blurring out of focus,
The glimmer of light from her eyes, renews
as he smiles that award-winning smile.
<>
As her passion, fire for the future burns
Tho' rough the road that winds land on yonder
I know we will reach the end, together
<>
Most valued possession,
(Though I don't own you)
Who really does own you?
<>
Lantern through all my days
Shameful, pitiful and wretched I am,
that I would avoid
addressing you, ever-present confidante,
truest companion.
<>
No matter how busy our lives are,
you are there, we are
Together on the same journey,
though different paths.
<>
Know that you are missed and loved,
when you fade, dip
out of view.
And I wait with baited breath
for the first glimpse
when you come back around,
as you always do, back to me.
<>
Back to me,
oh spherical rock in the sky,
light my path.
Be my lantern, my north star,
my soul mate, please?
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: So, funny story. This was actually three different poems carefully doctored and spliced to form this opus to the moon. As you may have guessed it is for the Letters to the Moon challenge.
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About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (10)
Aw that ending line packs such a punch! Well done Paul
You have remade the moon in fresh form. A rare feat, indeed! Bravo!
What a hauntingly beautiful journey through reflection, regret, and renewal. The moon as both witness and healer gives this piece such emotional resonance.
As always, you nail the complexity of reality you accidental poet you
It’s interesting how you’ve combined three poems into one. I find the red flags interesting, and how you transition into a plea to the moon. Nicely done.
Sometimes, bringing disparate challenges together is the best way to bring out creativity. Well done!
The moon is only a lantern when there are no clouds that night for the cloud overshadow your friend the moon. Good work.
looking for the lantern...amidst red and white flags... I enjoyed how the sun and your sunshine seem to be one in the other.
this is lovely Paul
So glad you found your lantern for all days, Paul! Beautifully written and that painting is magnificent!