Forgotten Words From the Past

Posted: Friday, January 05, 2007 by Travis Cody in
8

I haven't shared a poem in awhile. Posting music and stuff distracted me. I found this one though, and it seems worthy.


THE FEAR AND FOLLY OF LONLINESS

Alone I with myself and doors locked tight
So that none can invade this passionate self
Words only for me to color this page
Warning of great harm captured by stroke of pen
This calamity a gift of the paranoia in my soul

Foolish to don this mask and turn my face
From all the world's prying indiscreet eye
Holding my secrets from those who seek
Revealing fractions only to those unwilling to know
This special drape sewn with costumed intensity

Daunting the grand door to the feebleness of pride
Not to accept passage from this mere being
Limited to the most base future of a single fate
The bottom step of a great stair leading nowhere I can see
Climbing with eyes closed and blinded mind

Folly recognized and scorned by even the youngest child
To know so little of truth not to acknowledge the lie
Naked before all light yet refusing its warmth
Frightened to small vision and cast from the whole
Accepting ever the cruel love of four blank walls


This poem really isn't as depressing or sad as it might appear at first glance. It actually argues against walling yourself off, suggesting that to hoard inspiration to yourself keeps others from sharing your vision. It warns against allowing fear to limit your choices, which can cause your decisions to be flawed. There is a negative slant to the way the words are combined, but ultimately the final lines provide a path to engagement rather than segregation.

I had forgotten about this one. I wrote it in 1994. It still makes sense to me today.

8 comments:

  1. Julie says:

    Yes Travis...reaching out and connecting is so very important.

    What a pity that during the process of becoming vunerable that we need to be so guarded.

    I'm forever thankful for the few people I know that offer me the comfort of opening up.

    Hugs and kisses to those few. You know who you are and I love you.

  1. tiggerprr says:

    I didn't find it to be negative at all, just soul-baring and honest. It's really true of most of us, isn't it?

  1. I saw the hope in it aso... climbing the stairs, though with closed eyes, is the move of someone looking to come out of the bowels of darkness...

    You impress me once again my Friend.

  1. Coco says:

    Saw myself reflected in your words, Trav. I think many of us probably do. Beautiful, hon.

  1. Amanda says:

    Love this Trav..very beautiful

  1. Liz Hill says:

    I really liked this Trav and got the meaning straight away. I think so many of us have used our connections here to do just what you mention--open up--be vulnerable--"just to feel that way"

    It's what makes this whole adventure so intoxicating I think

  1. Thanks to all for your encouragement.

  1. That was not negative to me in any way shape or form. That was really quite lovely!