days of stone

Paradigm Shift

—

by

Ryan Stone
in

I’m not an ice-block or wasted teardrop,
mooching around your Long Island Iced Tea.
I’m not chasing dreams, dreaming of Jeannie,
won’t slow for one more whistle stop.
I’ve never bridged sighs, I don’t island hop,
or tasted the free airs of Heaney.
Nor held a heart that, like some Houdini,
didn’t vanish with barbaric yawp.
I have set no flame within love’s hearth
to burn that shantytown down.
At night I am king, come morning uncrowned.
I walk in as Luke, march out as Darth.
Rivers are rivers, regardless of flow–
O, stone, be not so; O, stone, be not so.

Ryan Stone

image

Comments

48 responses to “Paradigm Shift”

  1. Trini Lind Avatar
    Trini Lind

    Loooooove the beautiful art work ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you, Trini. Big smiles to you, my friend 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. Trini Lind Avatar
        Trini Lind

        And to you! 🙂

        Like

  2. thotpurge Avatar
    thotpurge

    “Never bridged sighs”… oh wow.. sigh!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Haha, thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  3. Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒 Avatar
    Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒

    “I have set no flame in a lover’s hearth that didn’t burn the whole shantytown down…” <— The best part for me. Fantastic image 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒 Avatar
    Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒

    Ooo, and the palidrome part was genius as well! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒 Avatar
    Yusra Gulab Jamman 🍰 🐒

    I am amazed by how you came up with it! Also, I’m so sorry for the multiple comments… I have a bad habit of excitedly pressing ‘enter’ before I’m done 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Ryan Stone Avatar
    Ryan Stone

    Multiple comments are fine, Yusra – that’s how my mind works, too (besides, it makes me look much more popular!). Thanks for all your nice thoughts. Ive never played much with form but I’m having fun. I hope you’re well, thank you for dropping by 🙂

    Like

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  7. Edward Thérèse Jr. Avatar
    Edward Thérèse Jr.

    Every time I think I’ve found my favorite poem of yours, you post something better.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thanks so much, mate – feedback doesn’t get any better than that! The WSS has been an amazing place for motivation and inspiration.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Paris Avatar
    Paris

    fantastic!! artistry in fact and through your words…beautiful ❤ I can't even do stick people lol
    xx Paris

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you, Paris. I hope you enjoyed your visit 🙂

      So nice to have you back.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Paris Avatar
        Paris

        I did ❤️ I feel wonderful today and it’s so nice to be back xx Paris

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Gospel Isosceles Avatar
    Gospel Isosceles

    After reading your ‘Whistle Stop’ this one shows the free one like wind who has little need for that bunch of roses. A warring soul, I suppose. To be honest, I don’t know the details of Star Wars, but I am aware that Luke and Darth are related, and perhaps trying to become whole. Great poems.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback. I really appreciate the time you’ve put into reading and commenting, it means the world 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  10. my valiant soul Avatar
    my valiant soul

    Wow!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. my valiant soul Avatar
        my valiant soul

        My pleasure to read such amazing work.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Ryan Stone Avatar
        Ryan Stone

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  11. NMY Avatar
    NMY

    Ryan, my dear dear friend. What do I say this time? How do I praise thee? Too many things to say (about this piece), not enough syllables to utter those. I’ll just say you took my breath away.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Nothing more is needed, dear Nandita – that is the nicest of compliments. Thank you, my friend 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  12. ivors20 Avatar
    ivors20

    From the beginning , “I’m not an iceblock, I’m not a teardrop”, to the end, you had me enthralled, amazing words…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      And amazing feedback! Thank you so much, Ivor – your kindness is truly appreciated. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  13. percolatingpoetry Avatar
    percolatingpoetry

    A beautifully complex piece weaved delicately with wonderful allusions. It felt like I was on a train watching I Dream of Jeanie while reading Seamus Heaney’s ‘The Walk’ ( I love Heaney’s work and still read him. I actually had an opportunity to hear him read and lecture at a university one time when I was studying Irish poetry. My favourite of his is ‘Digging’, of course, where he likens his pen to his father’s plough). I also love your use of juxtaposition, especially in the opening lines, offering contrast between the ice and tear, both human moods and both properties of water. And, I have to say that even though a stone may settle to the bottom of a flowing river, it does roll and smooth itself against other stones, constantly changing in shape and size until it is but a grain of sand. Ryan, my new friend, your artistry knows no limits. It’s so good to read and view your work.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      What wonderful feedback to start my day with! I’m flattered, humbled and so appreciative of you thoughtful comments. Ah, to have heard Heaney read – I’m incredibly jealous of that one. Yes, Digging is one of my first memories of being captured by a poem. Along with Slessor’s “Five Bells” and a heap by Maya Angelou. Thank you so much for the time you’ve invested in your reply, you’ve made my day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. percolatingpoetry Avatar
        percolatingpoetry

        You are most welcome, Ryan! Heaney was so inspiring and I love Angelou – such a heart and such a genuine human being. She is missed. I love your work and what it speaks to me. Cheers, mate 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Oh Heart, Be Not So (A Sonnet) – Emotional Spaces

    […] *Heavily inspired by one of the finest poets I know and my very dear friend Ryan’s Paradigm Shift. […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Miriam Avatar
    Miriam

    Truly wonderful! From beginning to end your words are captivating 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you for your kindness once again 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Miriam Avatar
        Miriam

        You’re welcome 😊

        Liked by 1 person

  16. taurusingemini Avatar
    taurusingemini

    Finding out who we are, through the endless discoveries of the self we are making, until we find, every missing piece, then we would be, whole.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. ren Avatar
    ren

    gorgeous writing! dripping with emotion. love it ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thanks so much, ren 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Dua For Ex Love back Avatar
    Dua For Ex Love back

    great

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. The Creative Chic Avatar
    The Creative Chic

    Gosh, Ryan… you’re such a beautiful human

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      How lovely are you?! Thanks, Jenn – you just made my day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. The Creative Chic Avatar
        The Creative Chic

        Not as lovely as you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Vipin C Nambiar Avatar
    Vipin C Nambiar

    That was beautiful…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you. Very kind 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  21. Lively Life Avatar
    Lively Life

    Daaaaannngggg

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. beth Avatar
    beth

    what a journey to find oneself

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      ☺️

      Like

      Reply
  23. My Bespoke Journey Avatar
    My Bespoke Journey

    I loved this poem. Well written. The WordPress library is certainly richer for it. 👌🏼🫶🏼

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Such a lovely comment. Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  24. Ritish Sharma Avatar
    Ritish Sharma

    Ryan, Your words are like a punch to the heart – in the best way possible.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Ryan Stone Avatar
      Ryan Stone

      Thank you so much, Ritish. Really appreciate it 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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