I am a river flowing, being content without knowing where I
am bound. I roll free, enjoying life’s sounds. I long for the
open arms of sea, hoping her vastness will set me free.
With my swiftness and my depth, I have witnessed both life and
death. But thoughts of such nature bring to me a shiver. I wonder
why — I am only a river.
I am a mountain, that towers high. I know the freedom of
endless sky. Through the ages I have seen many events. Often I
wonder – why is man not yet content. Many have conquered my great
heights, to behold Mother Earth’s beautiful sights. To the clouds
I talk of freedom, but fear the day shall never come. I embrace
the beauty of the morning sun, fearing man’s reign is nearly
done.
I am a forest, standing straight and erect, hoping the young
in my midst I may protect. I bow to gentle night breeze, letting
it’s freedom set me at ease. I am alive with the melody of the
song bird, in a dream world undisturbed. My mind flows with the
crystal brook to distant meadows I overlook. To the world I give
my breath of life. I am a forest – simple yet so right.
I am an ocean, filled with sudden motion, to the emptiness
of the horizon, which seems to swallow the blazing sun. I drown
your thoughts with the roar, of surf against my rocky shore. I
sway you with my gentle waves, while above you the seagull plays.
I carry you forth, from land to land, the weapons of war and
peace in your hand.
I am golden, as are the leaves of Fall, when crisp mornings
capture us all. Then they yield to cold Winter night, hearts
alive with dancing firelight. I am the breath of Spring, when
flowers bloom and robins sing. to welcome forth warm Summer days.
Those filled with laughter and peaceful ways. I am the seasons,
and as you, I am ever changing in needs and reasons.
I am the rain, pouring down to quench the Earth’s terrain. I
am the wind – drifting along, carrying hope and the bluebird’s
song. I am the snow of an early morn, that blankets thoughts of
hate and scorn. I am the fire that burns within your soul,
tempting you with evil glow. I am all this – more, the elements
of time, seeking, possessing your mind.
Leading to places untold – I am the final road. Weaving
through your mind, as a maize, leading you to find, nothing lies
at my end, neither smile nor friend. I lie like a ribbon against
a ragged sky, casting jagged shadows as you wander by. I share
your thoughts, your schemes. And I witness the shattering of your
selfish dreams.
I am a shadow. The absence of lighted glow, creeping forth
to form the night, slaying the city and it’s very life. I witness
the shame of all. For I have seen the millions fall, to lie stiff
in the alleyway. Mourned there, only by the breaking day.
I share the secrets of your mind, yet you as I are blind.
Filled with emptiness and fear, I am space, that beckoning
frontier. I lie before you, reaching to infinity, filled with
silence and serenity. I am a billion stars at night, bringing
beauty to your sight. I am the mysteries of ancient myths. But
now the home of unwanted spaceships. Shall I leave you here to
wander free? Or turn to be your enemy?
Could it be that I am time? The passing of life, the fading
of minds. Which seems to pass so very fast, and death rules
us all at last. Am I the times of years past and gone? Those
filled with laughter and merry song. I am the minutes of today-
tomorrow, interlaced with love and sorrow. Time— it passes so
swiftly by, yet— we never ask why.
I am the dreams of yesteryear. Those torn by a silent tear.
Fading now as the setting sun, longing for things never done.
Dreams now past and gone, remembered only in words of song.
These which bring back forgotten thoughts to mind, of days you
wish you could again find. The dreams of riches and fame, lost-
for you remain the same.
My mind – it is but the mood of each day. When all that is
comes my way. I am mellow as life when she smiles, and removes
sorrow — if only for awhile. I am the rhythm of falling rain,
which calls your name. Asking you to come along, to sing it’s
fading song. I am you laughter, your silence, all that which you
reminisce.
Moving without ever seeing. I am a human being. I am all
things existing. Learning– living— listening, To all of Mother
Earth’s sights and sounds, which have always been around.
I am human —– the great destroyer called man.
Of all the things I have built of Mother Earth,
Have I given her the chance of rebirth?
I am a mass of living cells,
Who creates his own hell.
I am the creature of intelligent brain —
But at times— I wonder if I am sane.
I am a self-taught artist and writer from the Appalachians of eastern Kentucky. My writing has been included in regional magazines and journals such as, KUDZU the literary journal of Hazard Community College, PEGASUS the Journal of The Kentucky State Poetry society and BRANCH WOOD JOURNAL, as well as a couple of other magazines in California. I have two poems on permanent display at the MOUNTAIN HOME PLACE a regional tourist attraction, and one at the KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM in Berea, Kentucky. The poem in Berea is titled “VOICES OF OUR TIMES” and is a tribute to COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY (US 23) which runs through 7 counties of eastern Kentucky.
—Art by So-Ghislaine