Oh, my goodness, this is so gorgeous! I love the playfulness of the reflected images interacting with their "real" selves. This is just perfect, I love it. Especially "belonging wholly to the night
yet somehow immune to the rain." You've got a Billy Collins vibe here, and you know that's a compliment coming from me. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Adam, this poem and commentary are both deeply powerful.
I know exactly what you mean about being able to feel even decades' worth of time as one, fully connected instant. It's very mystical, and perhaps we often take it for granted. How strange that this would ever occur, given that we lose (or at least mostly lose) consciousness every night, go through different states of mind, even the molecules in our body cycle themselves out over time...and yet this "illusion" (so say neuroscientists and meditators alike) of a self is so strong, across time and space. Fully seeing this makes me a believer. In what, exactly? I don't know. But whatever it is, I don't think it cares what we call it.
Went on a little philosophical tangent there, as I am wont. Anyway, this whole post really touched me. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Mike! I'm so glad this connected with you. And, I love a good philosophical tangent! So, thank you so much for taking the time to comment here, and for the kind words.
Wow, thanks, Billy! That's so kind. My poetry practice is heavily focused on editing (the struggle definitely happens! 🤣), but I'm happy the end result feels seamless to you. It means a lot. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Oh, my goodness, this is so gorgeous! I love the playfulness of the reflected images interacting with their "real" selves. This is just perfect, I love it. Especially "belonging wholly to the night
yet somehow immune to the rain." You've got a Billy Collins vibe here, and you know that's a compliment coming from me. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thank you, Tara! Your thoughtful comments always give me such a boost and make me smile.
Adam, this poem and commentary are both deeply powerful.
I know exactly what you mean about being able to feel even decades' worth of time as one, fully connected instant. It's very mystical, and perhaps we often take it for granted. How strange that this would ever occur, given that we lose (or at least mostly lose) consciousness every night, go through different states of mind, even the molecules in our body cycle themselves out over time...and yet this "illusion" (so say neuroscientists and meditators alike) of a self is so strong, across time and space. Fully seeing this makes me a believer. In what, exactly? I don't know. But whatever it is, I don't think it cares what we call it.
Went on a little philosophical tangent there, as I am wont. Anyway, this whole post really touched me. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Mike! I'm so glad this connected with you. And, I love a good philosophical tangent! So, thank you so much for taking the time to comment here, and for the kind words.
Beautiful poem and a beautiful reflection! Thank you, Adam.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Paul! I appreciate it.
You're welcome - I'm glad you chose to share this after writing the first draft so long ago.
All of your poems are outstanding. I think it’s that they just feel effortless. I just feel from your poetry that none of it is a struggle. Well done.
Wow, thanks, Billy! That's so kind. My poetry practice is heavily focused on editing (the struggle definitely happens! 🤣), but I'm happy the end result feels seamless to you. It means a lot. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
It's really beautiful.
Thank you, Jo! :)
Lovely poem, Adam. The balance between the reflected and real persons is super and the nod of recognition ends it perfectly.
Thanks, Thomas! The ending was one of the more difficult parts of this poem to edit, so I really appreciate your comment.