Eighth Wonder

Nicholas Browning

 

Opening the door to a misshapen heap,

The road, its paint, its subtlety -

A crosswalk open, in need of a light

That's much too vibrant, but in need, despite.

 

Dejected roses line the walk,

Alongside man, or at least used to.

The path too wide; it was cast aside,

To make space for the many turned few.

 

An ever-changing scope of liquid,

Condenses, and paints the grass;

Bearing witness to a form bereft

In that this "gift" was once the past.

 

Wisteria refuses to flower here,

Its petals shall no longer call.

Slag elates a hunger foreseen

And deafens the evensong. 

 

Tearing out the rotten pieces

Of words too little to care,

Listing off the memory then

In a life, so unaware.

 

Of the roadside we take no interest,

Paying no heed to its toil or nature,

The burdens that it must carry

Without notice for the danger.

 

Do we keep our heads aligned to see

What skeleton shall come crawling next,

Do we count them among the lucky,

The fortunate and the blessed?

 

After making it down the lane

A man much like myself,

Points beyond toward the way I came

As if he's looking at something else.

 

I pivot to catch his gaze and ask,

"What's a matter, Sir?"

He then shifts his finger to me and replies:

"The size of the universe."

 

My eyes meet what lies behind me,

A sight marvelous, and fair -

And as I look back to thank him;

Nothing, as I guess he's needed elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

Afterword:

 

Hello everyone. My name is Nicholas Browning, and I've been using

My Poetic Side for roughly five years. During this time, I have seen

many things that have changed my perspective on writing, creativity,

inspiration, motivation and life in general. I have all of you to thank

for this. Without you, I would have never been able to become the

person that I am today. I'm very fortunate to have met all of you.

I'm saying thank you because this may possibly be the last thing I post

on this website. I have decided to become an author and pursue that

career full time. This poem marks the 100th one that I have written

and posted here. It's very important to me, and in a way resembles

all of the things I've just mentioned. I needed this website to keep me

going, and I believe I needed to meet all of your expectations to become

a part of it. I tried leaving once before, but I wasn't able to do so. I needed

you all way more than I thought. You gave me a drive that kept me writing,

thinking, and breathing. You gave meaning to my listless days, all 1,825 of them.

Your sincerity has allowed me to grow, and to learn. Without you, I'm not sure

just who or what I would be. I'm happy that I've made it this far with all of you.

If any of you wish to keep in touch, then shoot me a message and we can work

something out. I may be around, and I may post more here in the future if

it becomes a possibility. To me, the Eighth Wonder of the world is perspective.

Isn't that a beautiful thought?

 

I hope I have done for you all what you all

have done for me,

if even a little.

 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

 

Nicholas Browning.

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Comments12

  • spilleronsheet

    A very emotional write to read and witness
    Short was my interval to read across the great works of you
    And it does sadden me, that we will read less from you
    Hope to see more from you
    And a big heart congratulations and best wishes for your new journey
    Your new endeavours
    And for your new ventures to bloom brighter every day
    So very truly said, the eighth wonder “perspective “
    It truly is
    Both the person penning and the other reading
    Best wishes dear Nicholas

    • Nicholas Browning

      Thank you very much, Spill. I've enjoyed your works for many days and they have given me a gift, as I'm sure they have for others as well. I wish you all the best in your endeavors as well, my friend. Thank you for being here.

    • Fay Slimm.

      Your decision to leave this friendly site and start as an author is honourable Nicolas - but keep the line open for further attention as many here will love to hear of your progress in the writing field . - best wishes in whatever you undertake in the literary world. The piece you posted today had me spellbound with its linguistic eloquence and free-style turn of phrasing the way to go forward,.

      • Nicholas Browning

        Thank you very much, Fay. Your wonderfully unique way of penning descriptive scenes has opened my eyes further many times. I appreciate your sentiments and advice, beyond words. I am grateful, and thank you for being here.

      • Violet bluebell( used to be yellow rose)

        Such a great writing 🙂 you have talent with your words .. I like your writings . Sorry that you feel you want to leave this site . You want to become an author .. good for you ))

        Someone once suggested I publish some of my poems but I’m not sure

        • Nicholas Browning

          Wanting something is only natural. For years I struggled with knowing what I wanted, and only recently did I get my head out of the mud. Life has been cruel to me as it has to everyone else, but I've taken those beatings as lessons, and learned from them. In all my years I've learned a few things, and one of them is this: Do what you yourself want to do. (within reason of course don't go whacking anybody). If it's something you want to do, the only thing stopping you is yourself. The looming fear of failure will always exist, for everyone and everything. We can honor it, and proceed with caution, but at some point we have to keep moving. Your creative ways of giving life color have given me inspiration many times over. Thank you, Rose. (Tried my best to call you Bell but Rose feels more natural). Thank you for writing, and thank you for being here.

          • Violet bluebell( used to be yellow rose)

            )) yes , it’s never easy when life is cruel to someone .. I understand . I’ve been through a lot and it definitely affects you .

            Yeah , I definitely can worry about failing .. sometimes . Sometimes we can hold ourselves back I guess , whether intentionally or without even meaning to .

            Glad you like my poetry and that it’s inspired you ))

          • Violet bluebell( used to be yellow rose)

            Good luck .. I hope it works out for you . ))

          • Rozina

            All the very best to you in your future undertakings and in your life ahead.

            • Nicholas Browning

              Thank you very much, Rozina. Your playful poem the other day was a sight to behold. All the best to you as well in whatever you find in the present and the future. Thank you for being here.

            • Violet bluebell( used to be yellow rose)

              Nice forward too )) sometimes it’s difficult to leave a place that we like and feel comfortable with . I understand .

            • Paul Bell

              Good luck on the book, it's certainly a great endeavour, and should be pursued. I wonder if the eighth wonder of the world is us, or what we were given, and what we've done with this great planet. I suppose the jury is out, and only time will see where we end up. Mind and come back with the title of your book, and good luck for the future.

              • Nicholas Browning

                Thank you very much Paul. Your emotive, raw depth between lines that many choose to look past has given me purpose. It allowed me to see into the world of a man that has been down many times, yet like me, has chosen to keep going. I look forward to finding the ninth. I'll be around in the future I hope, and I hope still that you will too. You've given more than I deserve my friend. Thank you for being here.

              • orchidee

                Could ya nip out some poems now and again?! On theme of hamsters maybe - you know! lol.
                Aww, they won't sing my 'hymn-book' in one place. Mainly cos they dunno what a hymn-book is! It's endless 'Choruses' to drive ya mad, each sung about 20 times! I'm not with them now anyway, so why should I fuss? I don't mind some choruses, but there's no need to go overboard AND have the same ones about 3 weeks in a row.

                • Nicholas Browning

                  I'll see what I can do my friend. Thank you very much. Your comical approach to responsive intricacies has kept my interest for many years. Your dedication to your faith has humbled me each and every day. And your singing has also driven me mad xD

                  Your song will be sung by many, of that I am sure. Thank you for everything, Uncle Steve, and thank you for being here.

                • ChrisLyn🕊

                  All the best Nicolas! This was indeed touching and yes joining this community is something that I too will never regret . Hope to see your creations soon👍🏻😊

                  • Nicholas Browning

                    Thank you very much Chris. Your words of self inquiry and acceptance have helped me better understand myself. Best wishes, and thank you for being here.

                  • SureshG

                    May the road you travel be smooth and free of pebbles and pot holes.
                    Good luck.

                    • Nicholas Browning

                      Thank you very much Suresh. Our few interactions have led me to see once again that things should not be taken for granted, and to keep an eye on making sure we're well aware of that. Thank you for being here.

                    • Goldfinch60

                      Such good words Nicholas, I do hope that we will still see them occasionally.
                      I wish you every success in your new venture and the enjoyment of what you will be doing come as a great joy to your life.
                      I do hope that we will see you occasionally still writing on MPS.

                      All the very best to you Nicholas.

                      Andy

                      • Nicholas Browning

                        Thank you very much for your kind words Andy. Your steadfast courage in the face of life has inspired me many times to see things in a more positive light. If it's a possibility then I'll be around. All the very best to you as well my friend, and thank you for being here.

                      • Garth Rakumakoe

                        I have no words to describe this poem Nich, except just to say that it is out of this world, truly, late as I am in reading it. stay blessed, and thank you for sharing. 🙏🏼



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