Tuesday, September 30, 2025

not alone

a mild day for a grim pilgrimage
the light spread thin as sleep 
over a dream in which
no one has died 

an empty day 
a safe day
in the fold
of the next one

falling unremarked--
a pebble in the current-- 
hoping you will be called 
by your childhood name again 

__________
Pic: Water fowl on the Red Cedar; from my walk yesterday.
 

9 comments:

Jeanie said...

Only my parents and cousins called me by my childhood name. (The cousins still do). So when I had to pick a grandparent name, I picked that one. It sounds awfully cute coming from two little boys. Your poem is filled with such poignance.

Nance said...

This is lovely, maya. The tone is quiet and deceptively peaceful. The only hints we have that it is a dirge are the few negatively connotative words sprinkled here and there and the last two lines. Other than that, it's beautifully pastoral and comforting. The imagery is, however, haunting and solitary.

I'm encouraged that you're writing.

StephLove said...

Last two lines are very powerful.

J said...

This is charming, and makes me wish I had had a cute childhood name.

J said...

What a lovely, lyrical poem. Thank you.

maya said...

Jeanie--how lovely to have that continue!

maya said...

Thank you, J.

maya said...

<3

maya said...

<3

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