Tuesday, April 01, 2025

if you are my friend

let's keep going, let's get to the grandeur
let's come back, let's touch absences 
to one another
our next hours wait patiently as the present
life can be a cold war sometimes
its firings accidental 
our lives recognizable as burning pages
opening in flame before curling
sullenly into ash
let us finally acknowledge our condition 
know we are holding our breath-- 
to avoid inhaling smoke
____________
Pic: The Red Cedar in Spring (yay) thaw. Sprigs of forsythia (yay, Spring) in the corner of the frame.

18 comments:

Nicole said...

This was so moving, Maya. xo

Gillian said...

Nice.

StephLove said...

Wow, that's quite the raging river. Good image for the emotional turbulence of the poem.

Lisa's Yarns said...

Beautiful poem, Maya! It really speaks to the heaviness of our current times.

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful post

NGS said...

You know what? Yesterday it was exciting to be in Wisconsin. Maybe we can turn this ship around? (It was exciting, but I also don't know if I'm being too optimistic. What has the last eight years taught me?)

Nance said...

The metaphor of the burning book is masterful, maya. And those last 3 lines are so quietly powerful.

J said...

Wow, what a poem. I'm not sure your intent, but for me it made me think of a childhood friend who I adore but our friendship is problematic because of our very different politics. Sometimes I feel as though I am holding my breath when we are together.

Jenny said...

Love this poem. I read it out loud to my husband!

maya said...

Wow, Jenny! I feel very honored and touched. Thank you so much. <3

maya said...

Thank you, Nicole! XO

maya said...

Thank you.

maya said...

I hadn't thought of that! Thanks, Steph.

maya said...

Thanks, Lisa. I *want* to write something whimsical, but...

maya said...

Thank you!

maya said...

Engie, YES!!!! (And in their own way Florida and Cory Booker...)

maya said...

Thank you, Nance <3

maya said...

J--your backstory really adds depth to these lines... it's almost transformational!

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