Sunday, August 25, 2013

Magpie Tales 183: I'll Pass, Thank You...





















pass with caution,
just not now



a lover named death awaits courtship 
with patience and stealth, though stealth
isn't a necessity.  there will be no unrequited, 

rather a point when fatigue is in a smile, 
like that spread across mouths that lay me
down to sleep.  

she said her farewells twice before, after 
patience took her hand to waltz.  we didn't 
care for the music and said so adamantly. 

it wasn't shock, but an acquiesced demeanor 
that brought her to her (our) senses.  she's 
frail now, and old.  her strength manifests 
as our desires and we tell her to "hold on," 
"hang in there":  

none of us knows where 'there' is, but we 
take the curves a bit slower now, and make
believe it's a better place than that which
we fear. 


Poem © 2013 Rick Burnett Baker
Photo by Steven Kelly shared by Tess Kincaid.

11 comments:

  1. Nice "take" on the picture, Rick. Not sure, but I think I like to "die" only once. Guess we got NOT much choice in the matter...
    PEACE!

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  2. Nice "take" on the picture, Rick. Not sure, but I think I like to "die" only once. Guess we got NOT much choice in the matter...
    PEACE!

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  3. I like where you went with this.....nicely done

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  4. it has got to be a better place...x

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  5. Tell me were there is and I'll hang...

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  6. I let some things go hang - but that's different, eh?! :)

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  7. I think I will pass that courtship as well Rick....love the different direction you went with this one....unique and fresh. :-)

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  8. "She said her farewells twice before, after
    patience took her hand to waltz. we didn't
    care for the music and said so adamantly."

    Wow, what a line!

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  9. A lover named death awaits courtship..I think I'd like to postpone that dance..

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  10. Beautiful write Rick. When I read this it brought to mind the journey some people travel when terminally ill & that terrible dance with death that they & their loved ones go through. "Hang in there!" ... an expression of not being ready to let go.

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