i lay dreaming of birds
60
mud encrusts my hands like
gloves, warm but impersonal
as I persistently rummage for
things i am afraid i have lost
in the flood
photographs
mementos
my pride
but i keel over, the stench
leaves no room for nostalgia
even in overcast moments
when memories fabricate
a perfect
release to go
with a cup
of tears
i lay down and survey the
wound on my feet, gaping,
like an open call for death
but death is no more a
stranger than
my house that
the birds
deserted
birds, i see one...two now
silvery things silhouetted
against the safe and dry sky
reminding me of Noah and
his big ark
but he had God
on his side
while I...
and so I dream of birds
and lay dreaming still...
.
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Comments
Chris, this is so beautiful! It's good you can write beautifully about our recent flood.
I have been trying to write a piece but somehow haven't got my rhythm back yet. Still busy cleaning.
Thank you for sharing! All the best!
Beautiful, Cris. And the image is amazing! Thank you
Chris it's great to see here again and writing. I can only imagine the troubles you have endured recently, it reminds me of how my own family endured the hardships of Katrina a few years back. I hope you can move forward soon. Take care.
@dohn
Still the fastest gun on HP! And I'm glad to see you too my friend. Thanks for all the support, I am grateful.
@Jill
who said I'm done cleaning?! I have a long loong way to go although there's not much left to clean. We're on the same page ie writing about the whole affair. I still have to get my groove back. I just hope I did not lose it in the flood.
@alek
Thanks for reading and commenting my friend.
@richard
Yeah, I could only imagine it must be the same thing for your family. I guess tragedies like this is blind to geography. I hope so, too. Thanks.
Always a pleasure to read you Cris, even when it isn't pretty. This line haunts me, "the stench leaves no room for nostalgia." Be well Cris.
I love your new avatar Cris. Something tells me it was a lot worse than you have put into words. You must tell us more and take care of those feet. Really wonderful way of telling it I must say.
@RB - and it's always a pleasure to hear from you. Yeah, pretty is the farthest thing from this poem's heart. I will try to be well like the first day. Promise. Thanks.
@C!
It was, but I still don't know where to start or how to recount everything. But I will persevere and tell you the whole story.
Glad you liked the avatar. Something told me that I need to look the situation! LOL Thanks for the concern C., you know how much I value your support and friendship :D
I hoped you would. I can only imagine. yes, well you are a valued member here and friend to me and so many and so well loved. I await your story. I hope you may have put some things in writing or notes of some kind? I know it's rough having to start all over, been there myself. Good luck now. I'm off to bed. love and peace CC
Sending you a smile with a flock of birds.... > LYM! :)
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Cris: What a beautiful, yet sad poem; its a blessing you have this ability to express yourself thorugh the poetry and photos, its your soul speaking, and this ability express yourself will give you the strength to move on in your life's journey. I have been in situations in my life, where the medium of poetry helped meto deal with loss and sorrow. You have a warm community of friends here, so we are with you in spirit.
@C - thanks again. goodnight :D
@Tom - i hope they're not vultures, though they wouldn't find themselves out of place when they get here! LOL but whatever birds they are, that's suweet thought - LYM :D
This is my favorite of all your poems. Succinct, perfect form, perfect flow, perfect transitions, perfectly evoking so many senses. Of course I agree with Mr. Walrus, though I must tell you life is full and to not be able to feel all that life has to offer, good, bad, nothing, chaos, ease? what would anyone have to write about? How would we be able to relate to eachother? Anyhoo, I do love this piece tremendously. Thank you for sharing. And the graphic is your best as well. I lurve it!
OMG. The flood, the earthquake, the rains. It was there where you are, wasn't it. Oh dear god! I totally spaced. I remember thinking of you and wanting to write and find out what had happened, but not sure I wanted to know. i'm so sorry. That's what this is about, isn't it.
@marie
I'm sure glad that poetry chose to stay with me and was not swept away by the flood water. And my online friends are one other thing I am thankful for. Thanks for reading and commenting, it's always a pleasure to hear from you.
@frieda
ah my good friend i always appreciate what you have to say about what I write as I see things differently or with newborn eyes everytime. So thanks. for sharing your insights. Thanks for dropping by (I just hope you have rainboots on! :D)
So did the earthquake or rains effect your home? And yes, I'm always prepared. Rain coat, winter coat, scarf, boots, sandals, gloves, dress... whatever the weather I'll weather the weather, whether I like it or not. =] And you?
no earthquakes as far as I know, but yeah the rains sunk most of our house in 7 meters of flood water. but that's another hub!
Ah forever the girl scout - good for you! I would say I'm weathering but something tells me that's not a good word to describe myself in any situation! LOL
Cris I know this poem came from your recent tragedies In that region . And my heart goes out to all the people of your area . I am just thankin God that you are OK . And I hope everybody there can recover somehow . But on a last note , DUDE that new avatar Is great !!!
hey tony my brother! nice to see you read some poetry - i have an idea it's not your cuppa - so i thank you all the more. yeah, it's from that event.
we will, soon as we find the road. but it's gonna be a mighty long road! glad you liked the avatar as I kinda looked like that the day after, only one color though - brown! LOL
Since I was younger I dreamed having wings, to soar high and far as I could. But having partly experienced that catastrophe, I wished I have fins instead, in order to have had save some lives. How could I even without those wings or fins, I could not even step out of my flooded office. The consolation: It happened during daytime in order for the people to see the power water, the wrath of nature, without distinction of anyone’s status in life. The message is very clear, not only for the victims but for everybody, to ease the thirst. Anyway it is better than the water, mud and dirt mixture.
Cris, glad that you’re safe. Welcome back;)
doods
you have a point, ie fins instead of wings. but you can no longer swim thru mud specially when it starts baking. and I don't want to be trapped in flood water and mud and dirt no more! (sorry, got carried away! LOL)
and i agree with you, if there was one thing i realised about the tragedy is that we all become equals in tragedies that are blind to social strata.
glad to see you. babangon tayo! :D
Hi Cris - great to see you back and writing - and I think it's the best ever!
Here's to many birds and blue skies and rainbows ahead, my friend!
Cris!! My dear friend you are back! I was soooo excited when this popped up!
Ah, but this tugged intensely at my heart. Your picture is intense, the emotion of the words, also intense. I am there with you in this. You have my heart my dear friend! Welcome back!
Hi Cris,
My eyes are wet with your poem. Every word in it is a sad event. I can still feel the torment I was in on Sept. 26 when I got just one text message from my brother that they have evacuated to safer ground because their place was underwater. The flood has subsided though in some parts of the country it has not. But we will overcome!Floods leave us a lot of pain and suffering. And lessons too!
Wish you all the best my friend.
@shalini
thanks for the warm welcome (back), i thought i had to write about the catastrophe even if i didn't go full throttle with this poem. thanks for reading, will wait for the birds, and blue skies and rainbows to come my way :D
@candie
I'm kind of reminded of a forum thread on "how do you know a hubber has died" - really glad I posted this! (LOL)
Thanks for the support and concern, they somehow help me tide over quiet nights. Thanks for reading :D
@france
I know. Friends who have come to visit were also overcame by what I assume the same emotions. The flood waters here went down overnight but muddy puddles and thick thick mud, not to mention garbage and trash, still pepper our place.Pain and suffering are strangers no more. Thanks for wishing me the best, your kind thoughts should take me a long way. :
My Prayers have been continous for you and am so glad you are here to give us some hope..well you need it, but you give it so sweetie to others...May God be with you my sweet Angel...I Lurve you MOREEEEEE..LOVE actually...:O) Hugs G-Ma
G-Ma
I knew it! That's why I can finally say I'm safe and dry. Thanks for the prayers, I knew I could count on you my sweet friend. Wet or dry, I lurve ya to pieces. Thanks for reading and checking out on me :D
Outstanding and humbling to read. You know a while back a fellow hubber C. S. Alexis wrote of her struggles after losing just about everything in a flood here. If you missed it, her attitude and courage is something to draw strength from. Read her Why Waste Time With Self Pity hub if you missed it. I'll bet we'll all be inspired by your own courage in these times, just a strong feeling I have.
Cris - so glad to see a new poem posted by you! Wonderful imagery, and so subtly emotive.. I always relish a reading of your verse. Thank you, as always, for sharing.
You have created a poignant silver lining around a very dark cloud. (May the rainbows arrive for you in abundance)
Emotional admiration QP
Few lines and great emotion. I know the feeling well. I shoveled the mud out of houses after Hurricane Agnes destroyed my hometown of Wilkes-Barre in 1972.
just soooooo happy you are alive, you have no idea how much you have been missed...... what a crazy world we are living in, thanks for your comment i got it this morning. Hope you have not lost family members, you have rigged up to a computer anyway..... lots of love ..... wish i could give ya a hug, Brenda x
Welcome back Cris. I don't know what to say. I wrote hubs about Ondoy and Pepeng but this is really the first time I'm directly communicating with somebody affected by the typhoons. All I can say is, I'm just glad you're all okay.
hi, cris. so sorry to hear about what happened. it saddens me to learn that a fellow blogger or hubber was affected directly by the two typhoons that devastated the country.
my boss' house was inundated, too, and lost almost everything. all of his four cars were submerged in creek water. his books were useless and were thrown to the garbage. he had also thrown his expensive shirts and polos. but he remained calm and can still manage to smile. i guess that is how resilient the Pinoys are.
hope everything will be well with you. what am i saying.. i know everything will be okay with you. my prayers for you and for your family.
@jerilee
I think I really should read her accounts, thanks for sharing the info. And thanks too for reading and commenting.
@Kyle
I kind of like the word relish - sounds like you enjoy my poems word for word, line by line. So thanks for the wonderful comment.
@QP
In times of tragedy, we are given only two options - and I choose this. Thanks for dropping by.
@Pete
It's nice to hear from you and better still that you know where I'm coming from (now i'm not saying it gladdens me that it also happened to you) Thanks for reading.
@brenda
And I'm happier that I still can be heard! LOL Yeah, the clan's complete thanks for wishing us all well. A hug would be nice, thanks.
@emie
Yeah, I've read your hubs on the recent typhoons as well as the the related hubs. Sorry but I wasn't able to put in comments as, well, I'm currently sneaking up on my sis' laptop when's she's not looking. But they are great. Again, thanks for the moral support.
@bingskee
It could have been me if you didn't mention it was your boss' story (and we only have one car besides). Thanks for the kind thoughts and the prayers. I know this too shall pass. It might take a very long time, but it will. Eventually.
Excellent poem again, of course, Cris. May you receive back so much more than you lost, my friend.
Thanks Jess. I would even settle for half but more is good.
Hey Cris,
I know asking "how are you" will mostly sound lame, but still, its reassuring to have you back, and safe. Lets hope the rest will straighten out gradually.
I think I can understand some of what has happened to you, as floods have played havoc with a part of India that I am currently in. Same story, mostly, especially the part about layers of mud everywhere.
Glad you're back Cris, and getting it together. I'm so sorry for the troubles down there. This is a wonderful way to deal with it.
You have a real sense of tone and form. It is immensely powerful, the effects this piece generates, the tangible images truly breathe life into the finished product. I am glad to hear you are safe. Very impressive work. Great job.
Perect use of words! I find that this poem is written with both words and amazing images! You use words to draw pictures Cris and this is not easy at all. Thanks.
@sidd
But still I wouldn't mind being asked that. I'm okay, finally, thanks for asking. I haven't seen you in a loong time and its nice to hear from you.
Yeah, I can imagine the same thing happening in your country.
@paradise7
I got this out before my tell-all (LOL) to test the waters first, you know, if I can really recount the whole thing in my head. Thanks for dropping by.
@twalker
Your critique of my poetry is very much appreciated as I get insights on how they read like to other people. Thanks for reading and commenting. And yes, I think it's safe to say that I'm safe.
@shamel
Again, thanks for the encouraging comments from you my friend. It's always nice to hear from you. Your reading pleasure is my business.
Cris, The birds shall return, as shall pride and the sense of home and safety. Based on the art, I'd say the water wasn't just up to your neck, but up to your eye lids ... and still, your mind rules over the chaos. Hope all the troubles recede soon, and that writing helps part the waters and drains the stench from the nostalgia.
Beautiful writing, Cris. I will continue to wish you well in your recovery efforts. Stay safe.
@zollstock
i like how the way you put, so poetically. Thanks for the wellwishes.
@sandy
my good friend, I could never thank you enough for all your support, the emails, the tweet (and the forum thread too!). Yours is one voice that carried me over the dark hours. So thanks, from my heart's heart. I shall never forget your sweet gestures.
Thank you, Cris and you are welcomed. Anytime my friend.
Hi Cris, powerful verse my friend. I hadn't realised that you were in the midst of the flooding, It's a relief that you and your' family are all OK.
I hope that it all comes right for you.
Best wishes,
Peter.
cris, thanks for sharing such precious poem. Sad to say that sometimes tragedy gives us much to think about and put life in perspective.
even in overcast moments
when memories fabricate
a perfect
release to go
with a cup
of tears
Those are deep words and so profoundly expressed.
May the force be with you my brother.
Cris! Like everyone here, I am happy to know that you are okay. Sorry for your losses, and the others less fortunate than you. Your poem is beautiful. Stunning really, some of your best work! Welcome back!
Crisssss! Man you are back and i am so glad i got the chance to check this one out. So beautiful breathtaking. I really enjoy reading your poems. they are essential to me just like air. I love the pic and it really makes my world whole. :D
So awesome to see you about again! The image and poem are intrenched in depth and beauty.Your vibrant creative flare has most definitly remained solid with the wave of loss that passed.
btw~you have many 'birds' flying about you, here on HP.. :D
@sandy :D
@Peter
I'm optimistic as things have always fell into place though it is uncertain as to how long I have to wait. But its something to strive for. Thanks for the support.
@dynamic
I guess I have to take things in stride as it's not always Christmas day. Thanks for reading and commenting. Glad you liked it.
@Chris
I know you are for you are a good friend. Thanks for empathizing, I appreciate the support. Thanks for dropping by.
@Uriel
I take it you'll die if ever I go away? LOL Thanks for the compliment, it makes me smile despite.
@invictus
what a way to describe my poetry - it makes me grin from ear and ear...and blush too! Thanks for the wonderful comments and all the forum posts you made re my plight. I truly appreciate them.
But a vulture is a bird too, isn't it? LOL
There's beauty in everything. Glad to see you back and writing, Chris. :)
Cris! Very good to see you writing! You know, I came here specifically to see if you were back in the saddle - as it were. I should've known you'd be right back here,
"Ah, ye hearty bahsterd!"
Should I be expecting "The Story" any time soon?
PS: Great picture!
@FP
If only I don't forget! Thanks for dropping by and I'm glad to be back.
@Ron
You drunk? Or just your Irish blood coming to the fore? LOL
Yeah, I guess you can say I'm back thanks to friends like you! The story's posted, "enjoy" (wink)
Hi, I didn't know that you were in the flood areas.
I hope that you are o k. I am glad to see that you can write about what you have been going through. I love your pictures.
I am glad that you are moving forward.
Intoxicating, with a perfect flow.
Love the art, too, as always my friend. Hope all is well with you and your family!
@cindy
I guess I have to get up at some point. Thanks for reading and commenting. :D
@osci
Glad you liked it, specially that it's more personal than most of my other hubs. All is well, thanks :D
dohn121 says:
2 months ago
Cris A! You're back! It's great to see and hear from you again, buddy! Thank you for this poem. I see that you are hopeful, albeit saddened over the state in which you must pick up the pieces. I wish you a speedy recovery, my friend. All of us here are pulling for you!
All my best.