From the Sidelines

Do you know how it feels
to stand alone in a forest
in the caesura
of a gathering storm?

With a graceful pirouette
the north wind about-faces
and just as quickly
a sou’ wester replaces
the breathy, dry kisses
of long afternoons in the sun.
Drawing breath from your lungs
and heat from your soles,
lowercase twisters
scatter leaves with abandon.
There’s a pause,

it is electric,
then thunder above.
A first splash, the herald,
caresses your skin
and whispers of days
when you sucked the air in
and laughed until laughter ran dry;
when you danced and you sang
and timeless, you lay
entwined ‘neath an indigo sky.

In that place, alone,
your lenses will fail
and your notebook fall
by the by.
Your shutter can’t capture
the depths of magenta;
your pen,
the dreaming Magpie.

It’s a moment,
just a moment,
before the storm breaks
and the old song
resumes its same rhyme.

Do you feel it?
Can you grab it?
A resolution, of sorts:
to wring from
each minute
a lifetime.

by Ryan Stone

2015/01/img_1461.jpg


Comments

215 responses to “From the Sidelines”

  1. Chuckster Avatar
    Chuckster

    I enjoyed this verse immensely, thanks for posting.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks so much 🙂

      Like

  2. The rhythm, the choice of sounds and words… Everything about this piece is delightful! The first stanza is a haiku in itself. Wow!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Thank you so much, Cendrine. I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You might enjoy the poetry forms I created. If you are interested in checking them out, here is the link: https://creativeramblings.com/forms/

        Liked by 1 person

  3. mamakulot Avatar
    mamakulot

    You write so well, Ryan! Any tips for a frustrated writer like me? 😭😔😭🤣

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Haha! Too kind. Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. This is lovely, and the images are great too

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thanks so much 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi, Brenda. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment – truly appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Can very well feel each line Ryan. Magnificently put up.👏🏻😃 Special mention to the image if it’s captured by you..!!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Such a lovely comment to wake up to. Thank you 🙂 And, yes – my photo too. I’m lucky enough to live next to a beautiful forest. Thanks again

      Like

  6. Beautiful. I can feel every line in the depths of my soul. wow

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you so much! Very kind 🙂

      Like

    1. Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Audrey Clark Avatar
    Audrey Clark

    Very beautiful poem, very well written and expressed as well. I did have to look up the meaning of the caesura though because my vocabulary is very much lacking but this is besides the point. I absolutely loved the imagery and message conveyed with your piece, it was a very easy and satisfactory read. Amazing job!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Hi, Audrey. Thanks for your lovely comments. I’m so glad that you were able to connect with this poem 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for reading 🙂

      Like

  8. hephzibahsamuel39 Avatar
    hephzibahsamuel39

    Great post!…”sucked the air in and laughed until laugher ran dry” those are deep words right there.
    I love the picture, it makes me want to follow the path and keep going.

    Well done Ryan!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Hey! Thanks so much for reading and leaving such a cool comment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I love the photo keep it up it’s great work you are doing

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you! Very kind 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you 🙂

      Like

  10. Your imagery is beautiful, the writing is so smooth I almost feel as if I’m there myself.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. What a lovely comment! Thank you so much for reading and for your kindness. Truly appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Beautifully written ❤️

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Hello, Keerthi. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Beautifully penned, Sir.
    It’s just serene and soothing. 🌻

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment. So grateful for your kindness 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  13. Onesumasday Avatar
    Onesumasday

    Beautifully written.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Your words transported me to that forest. Beautifully written, and I love the resolution to make every minute count 🙌

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Hello and thank you! So very kind of you 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. 🙏🏼🙌🏼

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Lovely work and a gorgeous photo!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Dina

      Liked by 1 person

  16. luchris auto Ltd Avatar
    luchris auto Ltd

    Nice

    Liked by 1 person

  17. You have arrested me! Again! Amazing writer you are! More please ❤️

    “Drawing breath from your lungs
    and heat from your soles,
    lowercase twisters
    scatter leaves with abandon.”

    “A first splash, the herald,
    caresses your skin
    and whispers of days
    when you sucked the air in
    and laughed until laughter ran dry;”

    “you lay
    entwined ‘neath an indigo sky.”

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Haha, too kind! Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

  18. “O time! swift devourer of all created things!” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

    And

    “In time and with water, everything changes.” – Leonardo da Vinci

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Love it! Thanks mate, hope you’re well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Beautiful portrayal!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Temperate storms and monsoons. I love them both. Live in the moment? Yes.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Yes! Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  21. Waiting for that storm to hit, to leave, the anticipation knowing, we can’t, escape nature’s wrath, not knowing if we will, survive, and if we do, how many more harsh storms are, coming, our, ways, that is, the confitions we are, living in, as global warming worsens. The storms are only going to get worse, if people don’t start, RESPECTING Mother Nature.

    Liked by 5 people

  22. Love the movement in this poem! – eco –

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you, eco 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. This is such a beautiful piece. Nice to read. Bravo!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you, Florence. Appreciated 🙂

      Like

  24. So breathtakingly beautiful 🥰 Shall we all chance to wring from each minute a lifetime. Such a reminder to cherish every second. Thank you so much for sharing. ♥️♥️♥️

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and leave such a thoughtful comment – so very kind and truly appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Wow! Just wow! You’re good!
    Pat

    Liked by 2 people

    1. What a lovely comment to start my day with! Thanks so much, Pat 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. What a perfect read for end of summer 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey, thanks! Always bittersweet when summer ends…thankfully it is just starting in my part of the world. Appreciate the read and comment 🙂

      Like

  27. That’s so beautiful! I especially loved “A first splash, the herald,
    caresses your skin
    and whispers of days
    when you sucked the air in
    and laughed until laughter ran dry;
    when you danced and you sang
    and timeless, you lay
    entwined ‘neath an indigo sky.” I can hear the music. 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Such a lovely comment, Angie. Thanks so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much. Truly appreciated. I just visited your site – love what I’ve read so far 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. James T. Abel Adesitimi Avatar
    James T. Abel Adesitimi

    Nicely worded ✍️

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Whispers of Verse Avatar
    Whispers of Verse

    Beautifully written

    Liked by 2 people

  30. This is so immersive

    Liked by 3 people

  31. The pauses, solitary moment(s), reverence and appreciation for life and the wild world. Again, just lovely. Yep, I did feel it.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. That was beautiful. I was whirling with the winds and delighting in the deluge right along with you. Bravo!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you once again, Violet. I really appreciate your lovely comments 🙂

      Like

  33. TracySchruder Avatar
    TracySchruder

    This piece is skillfully written. It brings this reader to a place in mind that I reach just before a breakthrough. Excellent!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Tracy! Very kind words 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  34. I love the way the poem draws action, energy and direction from the narrator and his connection with nature. Well done, Ryan!

    Liked by 1 person

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