“flicker”
the boy once moved in quicksilver brightness,
a restless shimmer of beginnings
that slipped through this man’s hands
before he knew he was losing him
he burned piping hot, in those early days,
all fire and forward motion
—now the heat is only memory,
he stirs a cooling ember
to remember he once glowed
life pulled him sideways,
a quiet rip curl dragging him
from shore he once meant to follow
—the boy inside him swallowed
without a single cry for help
now he wades billabongs of memory,
still waters steeped in spectres
of who he used to be
—whose reflection ripples,
and the boy disappears again
before he can call him back
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: August 20th, 2026 05:12
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 33
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange, Carlos Alberto BUSTILLOS
Offline)
Comments6
Pensive and reflective this poem speaks to me of a youth spent and memories left, a hot iron that has cooled but been tempered with the heat. Well written my friend.
Most appreciative, dear Soren 🙏🏻🕊️
My pleasure Cryptic
I do the same my friend when looking at athletic medals
Now there’s an illustration with so much more traction! Thanks Norman 🙏🏻
always welcome an enjoyed read
Woof! Fido says to me: 'I said, be child-like, not child-ish!' lol.
Nice one, O!🙏🏻🕊️
A fine Poem on the subject of Lost Youth.
One minute we are smooth skinned and in Pristine condition. The next : A 10 by 4 of Dorian Gray.
It is indeed a poem on Lost Youth. And a younger reading of The Picture of Dorian Gray is now lived in actual days. Thanks Kevin 🙏🕊️👍🏻
What a beautifully melancholic piece, arqios. The man searches memory for the vitality he once carried, but every glimpse of that younger self vanishes before reunion becomes possible. The shifting fire and water imagery makes the loss feel alive throughout. Excellent write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
That's great to hear, Tittu. Aging has never been so poetic! 🤣👍🏻🕊️🙏
This is wonderfully written. I read it twice to get a better feel for how time passed. However, there's a flicker there that still flutters. Thank you for sharing.
Gracias, mi amigo 🙏🏻🕊️
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.