adversity – Page 9 – One Woman's Quest

Mountain

I navigate sharp twists,
confront rough trails,
steep slopes, swoon
at dizzying heights,
frailty felt.

This path is for rugged,
mountain-born,
those accustomed
to the sheer immutable
force of rock –

and yet, my lens
tells a different tale –
speaks of shadows
shifting witnesses
mutations of colour

describes a giant
whose facade reflects
the day’s passing light,
demonstrates compassion
in earth’s stillness.

(Mountain first appeared in February of 2018, inspired by the Apache Trail, Arizona. Watercolour image by yours truly.)

Unsettled,
worry’s guest –
change binds me,
spineless…
this waiting is venom,
caution enticing,
pursue transformation,
big, small – and diversion
to eliminate the parasites.
Intellect needs a cure,
neediness burdensome –
taking charge messy.
Responsibility my own.

Persistence

Relentless this turmoil,
fear-driven storm
battering psyche,
beating me down…

Hope trails,
a gossamer thread,
a faint flutter,
refusing to die.

(Tuesday are for Twitter. Follow me @Vjknutson.)

Even Trees Fall

Majesty is a tree
quiet strength
and vulnerability

no more sheltered
from acts of nature
than I – none

impenetrable,
although youth
believes it –

days when strength
equates with rigidity,
resistant arrogance

A right fighter, was I,
iron will, in control –
never measuring up

such foolish nonsense –
destructive, no doubt,
took illness to educate

recognize courage in
withdrawal, merits
of inviting understanding

physical limitations
birth potential –
gracious acceptance

surrender of struggle
open, vulnerable,
rooted, like a tree.

Backlash

Transient, this life –
visit the nested,
encounter knots,
snakes threatening,
recognize the poisonous
intrusion, try to deflect,
avoid confrontation,
but even perfection
is vulnerable –
temptation test
sticky business –
that which I seek
to remedy, only
comes to roost on me.

Failing

Educated in curriculums
qualified to lesson plan
and structure evaluations

far reach from current course –
platform inaccessible, only student
self – a disagreeable sort

take my grievances higher –
no response, boss is asleep
indifference snoring.

End the Fray

This breach –
this ever-widening gap
fear induced
pits us
against them
as if humanity
can be divided
salvation
a selective process.

We need a balm
to soothe societal
wounds, a tonic
to calm the angst
until clarity
quells the uproar
and kindness
replaces this sin.

(For Ragtag Community’s prompt: balm, and Fandango’s: gap.)

Or Not..

Mindlessly,
veer off route –
inadvertently parked.

No backing up,
passage ahead restrictive –
perseverance called for.

Overcome, I will,
plead ignorance –
pay attention next time.

Grey

Lured by azure waters,
the promise of carefree days,
I cruise ocean’s waters,
dream myself exotic.

Grey clouds loom, mock
this pretence – waves swell
crash, blacken horizon –
delusion loosing ground.

What force is this,
drags me into aphotic depths,
insists I swim in darkness?

Have I not proven tenacity,
claimed a place amongst the willing?

It is not light, I seek – too sinful
for redemption – just the solace
of familiar grey….

Duelling Personas

Outward facing –
contrived effort –
composure checked,
face appropriately presented.

I turn away –
internal chaos clouding –
lacking resources
for social banter

Wolves taunt me –
predatory monsters
shaming me into retreat –
defences down.

Wade back into superficial,
desperation seeking solace –
hide the flooding within.