Sorry if there is a delay in responses. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
This day last year, I was having a tough week,
you know those days where your head
is scrambled and you feel like screaming
shouting crying, throwing your hands up
and tapping out?
This day last year was hard, the emotional
equivalent of those athletes who run
seven marathons in a week, except
I was in bare feet and sleep-deprived.
This day last year, I stopped by the book store
on my way home from work,
you can never have too many books,
despite what my wife says.
It’s not a spare room, I say, it’s my library.
This day last year, I wandered up and down
the aisles of the book shop, stopping to read
the back of a few books. Should I try crime?
Fantasy? Thriller? Spy? Self-help?
So many genres to choose from.
This day last year, I was drawn to the narrow shelf
at the back of the book-shop. The shelf was tucked
away as though it stored illicit material.
I reached for a volume, eager to see what this strange
shelf contained. I flicked through a few pages,
turning to make out the words in the faint light-bulb glow.
Was that poetry? Yes, the words were laid out in stanzas
and seemed to be speaking just to me.
This day last year, I tried another page, another poem,
feeling the excitement and adrenaline of a new discovery,
I rushed to the counter and paid for the book
with a crumpled ten pound note,
before heading outside, eager to delve deeper
into this new world.
Standing on the pavement, the rain started to fall,
the name of the book seemed to speak to me too,
Staying Alive.
-
Author:
Tom Dylan (
Offline) - Published: September 27th, 2024 02:17
- Comment from author about the poem: This day last year I got back into poetry. I went to the book shop to cheer myself up, and came away with a poetry collection.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 162
- Users favorite of this poem: Accidental Poet, Cheeky Missy
Offline)
Comments12
Happy anniversery and many more to come.
Thanks a lot, Soren. Really appreciated. Cheers, Tom.
Isn’t it something when words written by someone who died many years ago can pull you out of the darkest places?
Great write, Tom.
Yes, that's exactly it, when you read a piece that really moves you, then you see the dates the poet lived and it was over a century ago. Thanks for your comments. Cheers, Tom.
You have used simple words in this poem,
Very easy to understand and ponder over,
I pray you must write more poems like this,
And give food to our mind , brain and heart !
Thanks a lot for your comments.
A heart must go where a heart must go. 🤔
Thanks, AP. Completely agree.
Good write Tom.
Thanks a lot, Orchi. Appreciated.
Poetry has always been wonderful therapy for me Tom, and book shops a source of inspiration. Put the two together and you have a hit. An anniversary to remember. Have a happy Friday.
Oh yes, there's nothing like a book shop. I can lose myself for hours. Happy Monday, Cassie, and thanks for your comments.
Ooh! How very beautiful! Charmingly rendered and loaded with details to effect, a haunting poignancy in tow, I love, love, LOVE this! You remind me of how I ended up sonneteering: an 1881 sonnet anthology introduced me to what literature studies in school had only touched on and I both returned to writing poetry and also found my niche. Thank you so very much for sharing!
Thanks a lot for your comments, Missy. Really appreciated. Glad we have similar bases in poetry. And sonneteering! Love that word!
Feels like you've been around here for a lot longer, Tom: a mainstay of commonsense and excellent poetry. I hope this year is just the beginning as you continue to sort the world in your straightforward way.
Thanks a lot, Dave. Really appreciated. Yes, I hope I'll be here sharing my random poems for a good while yet. I'm off on holiday next week. When I return there'll probably be a few bits about airport security and Spanish beer. 🙂
Poetry can fill you with the wonder of life Tom, read all you can.
Andy
Thanks, Andy. That's exactly it. Cheers, Tom.
That's a book that I also own, along with the follow-up, "Being Alive"
Oh yes, I've seen that in the book shops. Not treated myself to that one yet. Cheers.
Right on, brother. I'm glad you are back at it.
Thanks, my friend. Really appreciate your comments. I am away next week so there\'ll be no doubt poems about airline travel and Spanish beaches. 🙂
You are a credit to our cult Tom ..
Haha, thanks a lot, Neville. Really appreciated. Cheers.
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