Archive for the ‘2012’ Category

2012-02-19 – Golden Bay

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

 


There is such a busy-ness to the world that I can no longer relate to. 
Businesses, children and families, careers; all the churn and tumble of life. 
Once the biological imperatives are expressed, 
we seem to continue just to continue. 

We form into groups and think of things to do to use the time. 
We save to ensure we will have 'enough' in the mythical 'then'. 
We exercise to ensure we will be healthy 'then'. 
But I find myself wondering what 'then' is for. 

I used to speak of having the courage to love and to risk. 
I've been on the right side and the wrong side of both of those acts now
and nothing is changed. 

Embrace the illusion of purpose
or recoil from the emptiness of what's left. 

I've always been drawn to seek the edge and to sometimes, like now, 
to tumble across it. 

If it was too quiet in my life, 
I'd pull the knife and begin to press it in.
And if it got too bloody, 
I'd seek a lover's warm breast to rest my head against. 

'Restlessness', it's been called by some, and courage by others
and insanity by yet others. 
I just know that at 64, I'm sitting in a small town in remote New Zealand 
turning my playing cards and I'm not sure I like what I see. 

Before me lies the possibilities of relationship, crime, travel 
and an endless opportunity to embrace illusion and to not look behind it
least I see that the flame I am preserving ... 
the flame I am preserving ... is for ...? 

Ah, the question has found me again. 

For what is all of this?  And why am I drawn to look so closely? 

gallagher
Takaka, Golden Bay,  New Zealand
2nd of February, 2012

— Copyright 1965-2013 by Dennis Gallagher —

2012-08-02 – My sons

Sunday, September 29th, 2013
 
I can see that both my sons feel the hero in their lives.
   Strong and true, they feel the power of a life engaged.
When the singer hits the note that pulls the heart strings, 
   they are with her; filled with the ache to touch the quick of things.

They will not live timid and small, in a world to be mitigated, 
   moving in the shadows to avoid risk and feelings.
A spirit rages in them as it has done in me - a spirit filled with love 
   and compassion and a deep certainty of strength.

I remember so many moments when these torrents of feelings have 
   been loosed in me; 
with my skin and heart feeling the wind and rain of existence raw.
   It's a poet's heart that wants to cup all this to its lips.

And I see all this has found its way into my sons.
   Thank you, Beloved.

Gallagher

2 Aug 2012 - Irvine, CA, USA

— Copyright 1965-2013 by Dennis Gallagher —

2012-07-17

Sunday, September 29th, 2013

Do not spare me from feeling all this;
right down to the quick.


To feel the life that’s always been here
just beyond my next should
and the mind’s endless chatter.


There are death and endings here
so burn me down, Beloved,
and just let me feel it all.


Here, without purpose and meaning,
here, where this same sun has shown forever.
Here, where transience is the song of life,
and here, where the poet’s heart burns within me.


Here, I raise my hands and close my eyes,
here, a terrible beauty rages.

Here are the beginnings and endings of all of us,
on our ways to the we know not what.


Here, I’ve stopped for just a beat,
to be in the endless moment.

Gallagher – 17Jul2012 – Benicia, California


— Copyright 1965-2013 by Dennis Gallagher —