For Three Word Wednesday, prompt words adamant, fabricate, peculiar.
Far-off Hills
I’m going away.
Face set, adamant,
there’s nothing you can say—
I’m choking here beneath
the blistering gaze.
And I can see the far-off
hills, I see them and I feel
their gentle joy.
“You’re peculiar,”
you say, “born a century
too late.” Just because I
despise your fabricated
dramas, and am baffled
by your giddiness over
every consuming trinket
the tech-gods pitch your way.
You may be right, there may
be nothing there for me. But
I’ll feel the rising river-mist
as the heron fishes regally,
close my day with the
crimson sunset, and
die with my boots on,
mucked by honest soil,
when I finally
go
away.
oh to be free of this tech-seducing society...but there are no hills around here to steal my gaze nor misty river to entice me to leave these trinkets behind....
ReplyDeletewell expressed poem...I can see the allure from both sides of the coin you've tossed with your words. (I'm not really sure if what I just said makes sense, but my peculiar brain obviously thinks it does…)
That's just lovely Nico; the lure of the far-away hills, and escape from the modern rat race. I escaped myself, many years ago, leaving a 'good job' in a finance house to go back to my early training as a carpenter/joiner. I found the hills, and peace of mind in honest physical labour. A second escape brought me to Finland 34 years ago - no regrets.
ReplyDelete'die with my boots on'..love that image..running..not quite comfortable to settle into taking your shoes off once you've gone.. just in case you need to run again..I wonder why 'running to the hills' is so symbolic? maybe because we can see where we've come from once we reach the top? A fine piece of writing..you have a very distinctive voice..Jae
ReplyDeleteVery well expressed write, wrapped up so nicely! Enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteShort Poems
RMP, I can't really see the hills from here, but they are clear in my mind. And I cannot really just up and leave--too many mouths to feed depend on me. But I can resist the complications of modern life by living simply, loving sincerely, hoping in hope. Bring the hills here, in a way. Thanks for your kindness.
ReplyDeleteAlt, It always encourages me to hear of someone who made it out. Sounds like you made the right choice--to live with no regrets is a rare blessing. Thanks.
Jae, The image of dying with boots on is overused (at least on this side of the ocean), but I thought it perfectly served my purposes. I don't know why the hills are so universally thought of as a place to flee. In my case, I have a lot of happy childhood memories of the hills of Tennessee . . . an image of happier, simpler times. Thanks--you calling my voice "distinctive"!
Marinela, Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm pleased you enjoyed my poem.
Sheilagh lee said Sometimes we wish for no technology toget away for good then we realize the conveniences that come from them. Great poem however.
ReplyDeleteYou've touched me with this one, telling a not-so-uncommon tale of people whose essential values are diametrically opposed. These words:"I’m choking here beneath the blistering gaze," create a vivid scene in and of themselves. glad I came by to read what is a very different, and really good, response to the prompt.
ReplyDeleteSheilagh, Thanks! Yes, we have a convenient life these days. Yet the work of the inner person--that is, the work of the heart or soul--remains as arduous and inconvenient as ever, and I suspect that our modern conveniences (with the lack of connection to nature and our fellow humans that always seems to be the result of our technological advances) only increases the difficulty. I realize that there is no such thing as a "Golden Age," and I know only a fool would work to reverse time. Yet, as I mentioned to RMP, perhaps there is a way to bring to bear what is best from ancient wisdom and simpler times on our harried existence. Or something like that.
ReplyDeleteKim, How I appreciate your stopping by! And leaving such a wonderful comment as well--thank you. I think it is important in these days to live a little out of step with the times. It's nice to have others walk along with you for a spell.