no sympathy from strangers is necessary

[saw]

relationships have always come and gone
like decades tumbling end over end,
Jack & Jill rolling like black rubber balls
down a long hill to the sea, drowning
in misunderstandings in the roaring surf

slow trains of toxic waste head for the bone yard
this is not exactly a news flash, but more
the regurgitation of buried truth that needs
to spew at times from the archives that disturb
your hopes of peaceful sleep

I have friends that have weathered storms
that lasted thirty five and forty years, and have
come out on the other side, still in love
digging the fallow garden's yields, but
that hasn't been the case for me

I've had my moments in the gentle breezes,
had my sails full and seen killer sunsets
more beautiful than a baby's smile, but
my vessels were never constructed with the craftsmanship
that holds together when the weather turns wicked

I guess part of me would like you to take my side
believe that I had no part in the building of my ship,
that I was an impeccable seaman that just had a string
of bad luck perfect storms one after the other,
I guess it would actually be easier to try to garner

the sympathy of strangers,
because like it or not, my friends would know the truth

[the mingo]

there it is - the double-bitch of the thing -

[judih]

life can be crap, but when you talk about it so beautifully, even a stranger offers love

[WIREMAN]

i just dunno....me like u....actually....ive come to the conclusion, yet it's only for now, that it's better for me on my own......this is an amazing poem steve....especially u being an ex sailor and all.....for now i really enjoy all the surprises that crop up, but i'm real careful....this sure is what poetry is all about, thanks for sharing my friend....

[saw]

yeah mingo, life is fraught with with double and quadrupole meanings...our job to sort it all out

judih, really loved your comment...it's that acknowledgement and respect from my peers that keeps me engaged...and tho I would likely still write without it, it means so much more when someone can honestly tell you how they feel ...so, thanx

and mark...thank you for your kind and candid remarks...they really resonate with me
i hope we can all weather the storms of aging with a sense of grace and wonder that makes us want to get out of bed each morning...poetry and poetry friends help a great deal....we need to know there are others out there that feel the way we feel, and we need to know the ways we are unique as well...it's such a human endeavor worthy of time invested

Doreen, thanks so much so for your reliable, generous efforts to keep this afloat...peace to you

[Doreen Peri]

I thought I replied to this. Hmm. Maybe I did and didn't like my own reply and deleted it? I don't remember. I'm telling you, following myself around on the internet is tiresome. I can't keep up.

Anyway, I don't know what you're thanking me for but you're welcome.

And thank you for posting this terrific poem!

[saw]

thanking you Doreen for Studio 8.... thanx on the poem as well