We talk about the way you build wooden boats with your hands,
and the way the sun shines off the water when we canoe across the lake.
And we talk about the snow in the winter and the way the snowflakes fall in the quiet.
We talk about the way that you rode an elephant in Thailand along the side of a cliff,
and the elephant put one foot in front of the other so he kept on the trail,
and the way I went dogsledding in Alaska, felt the dogs pull and heard the trees whisper blue.
We talk about the summers of sun, sand and waves, and how we grew with salt water in our veins. And we talk of our smiles and our failures and the lessons we learned, tomorrow’s plans
and time that we hold in the palm of our hands. We talk until the coffee grows cold and the night grows wings, until the words have words no more, but our eyes keep talking.
We don’t talk about your aneurysm that might kill you tonight, or tomorrow, and we don’t talk about my brain tumor that’s growing as we speak.
We don’t talk about it.
Talking to the Clouds 
Given some recent history, this one strikes a strong chord with me….so very poignant and beautiful…one learns to value each day.
I am concerned about your “recent history” – I hope you are okay, but I am glad your liked the poem. Hugs.
The photo coupled with the words, stirring, emotional, sad yet beautiful in such a human way. Thank you
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing my words and photos by visiting the blog.
tragically beautiful! makes me want to say, I’m here if you ever need to talk! 🙂
Thank you so much, friend.
Really well done piece, I especially liked “and time that we hold in the palm of our hands. We talk until the coffee grows cold and the night grows wings, until the words have words no more, but our eyes keep talking.”
Good, touching,
Jim
Thanks. I always like to know which parts resonate with people. It helps to make my writing better.
Such eloquent words coupled with such a compelling capture – so powerful – thank you for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by to share. I appreciate it! 🙂
When I like a post like this, it is about your eloquence and sad articulation. This is soft and hard all at the same time. I hurt for you, often.
I know, Mike. And I know your support and kindness is always there. It means a lot to me, more than you know. Thank you.
Very real. Thank you.
Thank you.
Didn’t see that ending coming. First time visitor, and enjoying my visit. Read a few more of your posts. I am glad you chose to express yourself poetically.
And, thanks for liking my poem.
I’ll be back to see more of your work 😉 . I’m glad you enjoyed your “visit” here.
Massive.
Thank you!!!
thank you for the beauty of picture and prose
Thank you for stopping by to read and see the pictures. I appreciate it 🙂
This is such a beautiful piece and it really highlights something about our society today – thank you for writing something so poignant
Thank you very much for your kind comments 🙂
My pleasure! Your work is stunning! If you have a spare minute, maybe you could check out my blog – I would love to hear your thoughts on some of my poems!
Although I don’t know you, I feel like a failure for not being able to help you. I can’t help it. I just want you to be okay.
You are very kind. I appreciate your support on here, and I assure you I am doing well. This poem is actually about how nice it is to have a friend to talk to who understands exactly how I feel, and how we don’t have to talk about any of the “bad stuff.” We can talk about all of the wonderful things we enjoy and are grateful for. Thanks for your support 🙂
Very interesting post. I am a two-time cancer survivor who also didn’t want to talk. But it was because I didn’t want to hear all the sympathy comments, the patronizing (but shallow) encouragements, etc. This was particularly true of the second battle as second incident survivors of nasal-pharyngeal cancer a pretty rare. It was my cancer to do with as I chose. I chose to fight like no other and that was not a place I was willing to share. And seven years later, this is probably the most I’ve ever shared. It’s all good 😉
Some things are so hard to talk about…even with people who might understand and might be able to follow anywhere. Writing might help?