Defy Darkness
Measure the walls.
How many hands?
Enough to hold them
up even as they succumb
to the encroaching darkness?
Or do they close in on us?
Isn’t that the same?
Overwhelmed,
how can we be anything
but alone? That’s not
rhetorical, or even a question.
Dark corners everywhere,
and nowhere to turn,
yet light everywhere,
if we consider ourselves.
We are not.
Alone.
Our selves are just that.
Ours, to embrace.
To share, more or less.
More?
Or less?
Less, if we consider
that we are one, not separate.
More, when taken as a whole.
More light in those dark corners.
More hands to hold up the walls
that hold out the darkness,
push them ever outward
eliminating the fringe
while embracing it
as part of the whole.
As a response to a poem by an offline friend, this is a WIP
Shared with OLN #307 – Eat Your Grapes at dVerse ~ Poets Pub
rivrvlogr 
I really like this, Ken. It’s certainly thought-provoking, and the whole idea of being one’s own self yet part of a greater whole is mind-blowing!
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Thank you, Ingrid. Helpless as each of us may feel at any time, we must remember to work together.
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Indeed we must!
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You raise a lot of thoughts with this poem, with clear defined theme – reminds me so much of how I felt living in the very north of Europe, where darness was no longer a metaphor in winter, and thoughts ran deep.
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I can understand how shorter/nearly-nonexistent days could easily compound apprehension and frustration.
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As always, I enjoyed your characteristically playful, but philosophic approach to this – much to resonate with here – Thanks Ken…
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😀 Than you, Scott.
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I very much enjoyed the profound, streaming thoughts that ooze from this poem. Yes, how can we be alone if we have ourselves and with so many us sharing the same fears and hope, we are one. Love the imagery you use to express this.
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Thank you, Mish. I might say the past year has not inspired, but it has at least provoked thought.
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A very engaging work-in-process … so many ways to “see” anything, to label anything either light or dark is just a momentary perspective … to judge either light or dark preferable to the other, likewise a momentary perspective. You sure have me second-thinking interpretations!
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Even when we reason we have our reasons.
Thank you.
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I enjoyed this very much as it highlights that we really are ‘all in this together’!
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That we are. Thank you.
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We need to be a community, but how? Two is a beginning. (K)
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It is. And a positive one.
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Alone… but not alone… and interesting idea. Being alone is not fun for many of us. This past two years has proven that. Well done, Ken.
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Thank you, Dwight.
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You are welcome!
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Love your reachin’ high for a great OLN, bravo ken! 🙂✌🏼❤️
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Thank you, sir!
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This seems a very fitting poem for the anniversary of Jan.6 and on-going pandemic–being alone, but also working together.
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I was thinking about the pandemic and politics when I wrote this, but hadn’t thought specifically about the insurrection. That’s a good point. I plan to read this at a local open mic on Monday, and I’ll be sure to make the connection. Thank you, Merril.
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You’re welcome, Ken. I hope the open mike event is a big success.
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I can only but agree, yes to every line.
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Thank you, Paul.
\
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🙂
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A principle that is worth remembering – connecting with others brings light. ❤
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You nailed this, Ken. Walls simultaneously exist and do not. I abhor worshipping them. But there they are(n’t). This may be WIP but so far….Great stuff! Thanks. I’m trying to get back into the flow lately, with little success, and your poem helps. I owe you.
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A powerful and reflective piece. I love the statement of affirmation in the final stanza. Hopeful….positive. Yes!
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I like how you use the hand metaphor to draw the reader in.
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Embracing self, as well as others, only way forward. Certainly food for thought, Ken. I love conversations with self. 🙂
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