
My father
a talisman of probability
and of broken hope, found
underneath a staircase
drunk
on October rain.
A teacher
who left probability aside
in favor of developing brokenness
into the night —
he fashioned emotions
into sleeves
of tears held at bay
a dam no one wants to make.
It is a skill learned
out of survival
when we feel like a mistake, and
a burden to life
and to an imagined view
staring back at me in the mirror —
You.
©JeffFlesch.com
Image by Mysticsartdesign, Pixabay
Recently I sent two poems to Rust & Moth, an amazing online poetry journal. While both were rejected, it reminded me that acceptance lives inside rejection, and is part of the writing process. It also reminded me to continue to pursue new topics and feelings in my writing. October Rain is a poem that explores both of these.
White-tipped Waves, by C.X. Turner
cradling the light
I didn’t ever hope
to find you
wave after wave
breaking down
retreating with the tide
awash
with past mistakes
in an ocean of loss
love
came to
remind me
take me with you
but let me go
I contemplate the seasons
you and I went through
find myself
inland on foreign soil
alone yet not lonely
discover
peaceful opportunities
to carry light
however deep the fight
White-tipped Waves is a poem that was created by a dear friend of mine, C.X. Turner, in response to velvet soft, which was a response poem to Scattered Sakura. Scattered Sakura was submitted to the Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow 30 Poems in 30 Days collaboration by C.X. Turner. I love this poem with all of my heart.
#1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow
Co-Author, #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women
Jan/Feb 2022 Author of the Month, Spillwords Press