I had a friend
who, grown on corn in south Texas
lamented the lack of people
for she saw
only dry land stretched like a fried gut spotted with tumbleweed
I had a friend
who grown on concrete and painted faces, bricked up in city smite
longed to rid herself of bussle
walk out into emptiness like
a star explorer
I knew both the longing and insilubrious pull
of city magnet
its desolation and feeling apart in a crowd
the surge and still
of expectation and liquor
I knew the raw blister of
a pure and scathing emptiness
nursing a need to create syllable of void
two extremes, no unity
can betwix between as jugglers, relieved of balance will continue motion
I was born in cold city breast
disgorging from its loins the dour faced babes of 21st century ad-lib
my elbows broken at gold vein
between reaching and closing off
crowds or empty skies?
noise or bird call?
city folk looked agast as I packed into concertina, the music of my life and let it out in one sonorous exhale
how will you bear the solitude? They asked
nothing is more lonely than isolation in a crowd, I replied
but what of the museums and new trends and restaurants?
I can live without the majesty of men, I said
It has always seemed inflated and grandiose
there is more meaning in a dessert rose, than anything we in our dominion, believe worthy
we are spectacle at best, a blight in our thirst to take up all the room
the richest man is one who inhabits an unkept land
with all the wild flowers come into bloom
TheFeatheredSleep 
love it
Two worlds so different! One must choose. I had to read it twice. Well done!
Its strange isn’t it Candice, how we see our environments in different perspectives.. Each searching for different things.. Showing us how no one thing is perfect within the eye of the beholder.. All dependant upon what it is they are searching for..
To me, that dry land with tumbleweed would have held much magic..
Beautifully written Candice xxx ❤
CITY CITY CITY CITY CITY
Here in this city
In this mockery of life
Life eluded me
It eluded everyone
While few noticed its absence
How wonderful, the fresh perspective that the glory of human achievement, seen in the sculpture and creation in cities, is nothing compared with the untouched beauty of nature. I also loved these words, highlighting the opposite perspective:
“for she saw
only dry land stretched like a fried gut spotted with tumbleweed”
Some see that – the ugliness, the bleakness of the country or desert. I see a landscape of stubborn resilience; of life blooming and thriving despite the harsh environment. Such a beautiful thing.
I love the “richest man…..ending ” and the truth in that. Makes me think of Thoroeu if I spelled that right. Just read a little about him….amazing how small is cabin was and the perspectives he developed. Wonderful writing. Thank you!
Ok now I’m mad Ben because I love your poem MORE!!! 😉
Excellent & beautiful write!… So many things in life, what we think and how we feel depends on our perspective.
Never had a desire to live in the city (the suburbs were tolerable)…. Can’t agree with you more on the theme. The older I get the more I love whatever is wild and natural and quiet. Our lawn is mostly clover, buttercups, and unnamed ground covers with tiny flowers – all of which attracts honey bees. Must tip toe across the yard so as not to step on them…. Hard to imagine anyone preferring cement and noise… bottom line, I love your poem!
“I can live without the majesty of men, I said
It has always seemed inflated and grandiose
there is more meaning in a dessert rose”
This really speaks to me. As a city boy who is always searching for the little bit of wild that still wrestles free from the grip of so called civilization. The day before yesterday I was watching how a man torched weeds (because they make the pavement look uneven???), instead of celebrating the green spots they’re adding to the grey and couldn’t possibly imagine why someone would waste so much time and energy… Love this poem!
Awakening to the beauty of comparative isolation in nature
There is much beauty in the desert if one chooses to see it 🙂
This poem highlights so many stretches of life. From the expanse and emptiness of land to the city and the busy. Both places can be irreducibly lonely. This poem really touches me. Beautiful. A powerful line, “we are spectacle at best, a blight in our thirst to take up all the room.” The need and greed for ‘more.’ Contentment is found within.
Ends with some very telling images and I like the repeat motif of ‘I had a friend’ at the start.
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thank you dear one thank you so much
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your lovely words! I totally agree with you about contentment being allusive until we realize wherever we go there we are and it can only be found within. I am so honored that this poem touched you that means the world to me. I thank you dearly.
Indeed although I love the tropics not so fond of the bugs! 😉
Thank you so much! I am so very glad you liked this poem and I really appreciate your kind words. I grew up in the city and just like you wanted that ‘bit of wild’ so much. Have you seen Living Below Zero? Really about that. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much my friend
Thank you so much! I love the wild also so I’m with you there (if you hear the sounds of someone moving in don’t be alarmed it’s only me! ) 😉
Dearest Girl from Jupiter. You know how much appreciation I have for you to read my work and take the time to leave such a lovely comment, thank you. I do agree that nothing compares with nature you are so right. I’m so glad I’m not alone in seeing that all we have achieved is nothing compared to what stood before us. xo
I’ll leave a light on in the window for you! 🏠🌻🥀
Sandflies suck – literally too !!
No I haven’t, but thanks for the recommendation, I’ll go see if I can get my fingers on it somehow. 🙂