This poem is in response to Gooseberry Garden Poetry Picnic #15’s prompt. They ask for poems about November, winter, hope and change, and since I don’t do winter, and have no special attachment to November, I put this one together about hope. It’s sad, and just so y’all know, I am not sad. In fact I am very much at peace and I have great hope for the future. I do, however, often look longingly at the way things used to be. I think we all tend to do that. I hope you enjoy the poem.
Those Times Ago
Eyes closed, I smiled and imagined
A full moon hanging low in the sky
Looking like a shiny pearl button
On a dandy cowboy’s shirt
Sequin stars glittered
On a blouse of blue-black silk
In the distance cattle lowed
As coyotes yipped and howled
When I opened my eyes
It all faded to cold hard truth
The hot dry grass on my neck
And burning tears I wouldn’t let fall
City traffic whirred nearby
Distant sirens pierced the night
A neighbor screamed angrily
At her laughing children
I gazed up at the dingy sky
Closed my eyes and tried to recall
Those times so long ago
When hope still lived within me
Times when stars twinkled
The man in the moon smiled
And parents, tired from their day
Murmured and chuckled softly
Gliding in the old wooden swing
Smiling, looking forward to tomorrow
While in the moon-shadow of a tree
Children tittered secret laughter
I wondered when the world had changed
And wished we could go back
To when life was simple; those times ago
When hope was more than just a word
Copyright © 2011 C. Mashburn
Shared on Gooseberry Garden Poetry Picnic #15
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Life: Between the lines said
yes, the past is so much enjoyable sometimes 🙂 there is this sadness to the piece that evokes longing. Nicely done!
my entry: http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/wind-chime-melody/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nice comments!
Morning said
beautiful imaginations,
the imagery is dreamy and beautiful with moon and nature elements in it.
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
David (1MereMortal) said
“I wondered when the world had changed
And wished we could go back
To when life was simple; those times ago
When hope was more than just a word”
…deep words that evokes nostalgia.
This is a wonderful poem.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much for the great comment, David!
Zoe said
I love your moon imagery. This has a very nostaglic feel to it that pulls at the heart strings. Beautifully written.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Zoe! Your comments are appreciated!
Daydreamertoo said
The rat race with the love of money being the new God to so many, has taken over everything, including compassion and kindness. It’s a shame we can’t go back to those kinder days.I just hope humanity somehow gains it’s global love and compassion back somehow.
Lovely thoughts.
charlesmashburn said
So true, Dreamer. And, sadly, as is often said, the rats are winning.
Thank you for the thought-filled comments! They are very much appreciated!
terri0729 said
Beautifully done Charlie!!! That’s where I am right now, wishing for a simpler time 🙂 though I do cling to my hope that it’s right around the corner, it sometimes seems to be only a “word” used. Peace, love and blessings, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Well, while a may wax poetic and look back on simpler times, I am–we are–where we are, and I am content to do all I cn to enjoy this now, be what it may.
Thanks for the comments, Terri!
wordcoaster said
It’s amazing when you meet someone who somehow has managed to cling to that childlike playfulness–they are a respite from the world’s gravity 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the comment!
The Cello Strings said
splendid imagery.
🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment!
Jacqui BB said
Closed my eyes and tried to recall
Those times so long ago
When hope still lived within me
I think it is merely harder to find and must be fanned to flare up again. Wonderful lines.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nice comments, Jacqui!
Heaven said
Very nice… it would be lovely if life is simple, isn’t it ~
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Heaven!
tinkwelborn said
nice simile to begin.
nice movement through the read to the message.
and the message is great. I can identify strongly with this piece.
very good job…and Yes, I did enjoy this.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the great review, Tink! Very much appreciated!
Jess P said
Very beautiful, thougtful
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Jess. I appreciate the comment!
Inside the Mind of Isadora said
A deeply thought poem, Charles. I like the way these first four lines:
Eyes closed, I smiled and imagined
A full moon hanging low in the sky
Looking like a shiny pearl button
On a dandy cowboy’s shirt
create an image of a simple life. The cowboy, out on the plain, at night gazing up at the sky while tending to his cattle. It didn’t sound sad as much as a reminiscence of what was. I love it very much.
I wrote a sad one but it is more of a story. Perhaps, you’d like to stop by and read it. It is fiction but is in some ways about many people I know who have told me tales that I wove into this.
Blessings,
Isadora
http://insidethemindofisadora.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/visions-of-a-reminiscent-soul/
charlesmashburn said
I had read your story yesterday, Isadora, and thought I had left a comment. In any case, I like it and think it is a superb bit of writing!
Thank you for the thought-filled comments on my poem. Your comments are always a treat and a blessing to me.
SiNA said
You still can of course…through your beautiful thoughts..through your heartfelt words…your poetry 🙂 beautiful!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the wonderful comments, SiNA!
David Rheins said
nice to discover your work
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment, David!
Miss Kitten said
From now on whenever I look up at the moon I’ll see that silvery button on a dandy cowboy’s shirt. Lovely, Charles. Just lovely.
charlesmashburn said
I like that! Thanks, Miss Kitten!
Becky said
I love reading you Sir Charles. 🙂
This is a great example of why.
charlesmashburn said
I’m so glad! Thank you very much for the wonderful comment, Becky!
elainedanforth said
Charles,
Such a visual poem, and beautifully so. Loved the western touches well befitting a Texan, and the wistful retrospective mood. Sorry I hadn’t read you lately– I’ve not been in much of a reading space lately, but it’s good to get another look at your work.
Elaine
charlesmashburn said
No problem about reading, Elaine. I try to be faithful to read those I enjoy, but sometimes it just isn’t possible. I’m glad to see you back here agin, though. I enjoy your comments.
elainedanforth said
Oh, and BTW, hope was the theme that worked best for me this time around. I tried to write on some of the other stuff, but it just wasn’t turning out very well. My poem on hope is the only one I wrote just for this week’s picnic. The other two I have linked to are kind of seasonal things I just happened to have written recently. Here’s the hope poem:
charlesmashburn said
It’s a good one, Elaine. I like it!
The Orange Tree said
amazing one.
very well penned sentiments.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much for the visit and comment!
Sherry Mashburn said
achingly nostalgic . . . good capture of a mood
charlesmashburn said
Oh-Tay!
Ina said
Lovely and beautifully written 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Ina!
Sajeevs blog said
There is so much contentment and happiness in simple, timeless joys:))
charlesmashburn said
Yes, there is! Thank you for the visit and comment!
Andy said
Hello.
Please forgive my lateness in visiting. My works schedule has been crazy & just this morning I was having problems with Blogger.
I really enjoyed reading this. I know in quiet moments, I’ve often gone back & reminisced over what was, but they were just fleeting thoughts. Like you, I’m very happy with life today & always look forward to what tomorrow will bring.
Thanks for sharing & visiting. Your comments are always appreciated.
A Sweet, Spanish Flower
charlesmashburn said
No problem, Andy! We all get busy, and I don’t expect everyone to be able to comment on everything.
I appreciate your comments, and I’m glad you enjoyed this one!
clariice said
When hope is more than just a word
This Struck a chord deep inside. It’ seemed quite long ago. Felt myself going back in time.
Love this!
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad you like this one, Clarice. Thank you for the visit and comments!