oregonnerd: differing views

of memories’ unnamed children

July 22, 2008 at 9:56 pm Leave a comment

         rebirth

…in the years of my decline
(i can recall this
 quite clearly, you know)
      i knew visions well.

i would not speak
to strangers: i was
an unruly tyrant
     with my kin.

but i still was
foremost counsellor (though
given to sudden rages, and no one quite dared
     challenge that).

mostly, of course, it was
the unseemly pains of age, acid gut and aching joints,
and other discomforts…

o, but i had my power!
i was dressed in pomp, all attended–for i was,
despite those rages, still wise.
ah, though: reborn, freed
of both pains and pomp, i wonder; who will requite me
  for all the smiles i lost?

———————————————————

Glenn

Entry filed under: poetry. Tags: 1974, poetry, vietnam war, voices.