Popaganda Memories

The only lesson that every really stuck...
"This too shall pass..."
Funny, really, that it was poets
who first figured it out.

Or was it Bridgett Fonda that made it stick
gun toting woman warrior
a white picket fence Nakita
wielding weapons and sex appeal

"I never mind the little things..."

Funny, where a mind will travel
if you allow it...

Good or bad, this too shall pass

I remember achieving a dream
built on an unsustainable plastic foundation
Do you know how many years
How many lifetimes
plastic will last
even if it claims to be biodegradable

What I most remember
is so very desperately equating MY value
with the achievement of that dream.
When you build castles on sand dunes
you have to be ready to see them washed away
and even though you know
the fear that comes with clinging
to the ever melting slippery slope
is the memory that lasts

Having it all
to having nothing
detachment in theory
is fantastic
detachment that makes you numb
is worthless
Sometime I wonder
if I'm even still here
knowing

this too shall pass


Taking a stab at the hints floating about that @StuMcP has been "missing" his post at dVersePoets. Good news...he's back today...and is sure to be rocking that mic. Join us 3pmEST.

Comments

Brian Miller said…
its all in passing you know....and success is fleeting at times...trust me, i peaked out last february...smiles...it happens though with the good and bad...so there are good aspects as well to the round and round....in the end we cling to the things most important...enjoy memories of the rest....and df dont let yourself find numb...nothing is really good there....been there far to many times...and i continue to learn to let go of expectations i have as well...thus it all becomes a gift...
Unknown said…
Another great poem, wow. Loved the build up to the heavy conclusion.
Mary said…
It is true that everything passes. The good passes and the bad passes. There is always something on the horizon, hopefully something good. But we just have to keep walking on through.....
Laurie Kolp said…
Thought-provoking... I especially like:

When you build castles on sand dunes
you have to be ready to see them washed away
and even though you know
the fear that comes with clinging
to the ever melting slippery slope
is the memory that lasts
Anonymous said…
Something I really relate to. This bought back some memories for me of my early career in banking....stressing myself to the maximum for some career (built on sand dunes). I remember it so well, the sinking feeling as the jb got the better of me. And you are right, it HAS passed, but I remember the feelings, they can still feel very real....so I guess I see this as an anti 'I miss you' poem...as ever...your words are as real and as powerful as anything....
Claudia said…
the sand castle image gripped me most...so true..everything is fleeting, here for a time and then gone..good to remember...good to let go of the expectations as well....cool write tash
And the future will not be of the dream...none of us in 10 years time will be where we think we will be. The poem helps in that reflection,
Unknown said…
We say we don't mind the little things
We kid ourselves at gargantuan levels
Anonymous said…
powerful last stanza, love how you built the poem!
Anonymous said…
I loved the dizzying conclusion of the last stanza! Thank goodness " this too shall pass""
Unknown said…
And this to shall pass as others have in the before and after times

Love your styles and resonation as it burns on the screen :)
Kathy Reed said…
..for some reason the image of Patty Hearst popped into my mind...a different kind of detachment perhaps, but she came through...we all must, because the alternative is is to die...you nailed this one..
James Rainsford said…
So many lines here touched my soul Natasha. A brilliant evocation of the transitory and ephemeral nature of human existence.You'd think, that knowing we're all here for such a short time, just might make us a little kinder to each other. Great write as usual.
Anonymous said…
All things do pass, as you say here so cleverly - it's a hard notion to hang on to sometimes. Like this very much Natasha.
Jenny Herner said…
LOVE >> When you build castles on sand dunes
you have to be ready to see them washed away
Anonymous said…
A lovely poem of what lasts. Memories, that is it. Natasha, you are a bright woman! Cheers friend. Gardenlilie.com
Mystic_Mom said…
This is really well done, love the layers and the references. Such an enjoyable read.
Susan said…
Oh yes
plastic
sand dunes
lies we were told
and the truth: this too shall pass
thank you.
siggiofmaine said…
"Funny, where a mind will travel
if you allow it....
When you build castles on sand dunes
you have to be ready to see them washed away...."
A few of the lines that resonated with me...
thank you...
Anonymous said…
so much changes when we simply change how we judge ourselves, change the standard against which we measure...
Lázaro Rojas said…
This too shall pass, indeed.

I really dug the intro:

"Funny, really, that it was poets
who first figured it out.

Or was it Bridgett Fonda that made it stick
gun toting woman warrior
a white picket fence Nakita
wielding weapons and sex appeal"

Great transition and set up! Nice read. Thank you for sharing.
Semaphore said…
There's always a tinge of philosophic nostalgia in your poems, and more so with this one. Not a complete resignation to the ephemeral, but perhaps an acceptance?
Anonymous said…
Oh Tash, you have no idea how relevant this was for me today. I have been using 'this too shall pass' as a bit of a mantra to get me through some tough weeks recently. Awesome write... It's the poets that figured it out - love it x
Dave King said…
the fear that comes with clinging
to the ever melting slippery slope
is the memory that lasts

The light of recognition throughout this, but I've chosen the lines where it seemed most intense. Superb write.
Nilanjana Bose said…
can completely relate to the castles on sand dunes image...nothing is built to last, thanks for a haunting reminder
Candi Morrow said…
This too shall pass is a promise to me, and with that in mind I hold on tight until the tide is lulled and the storm has passed swiftly by.
Wolfsrosebud said…
sometimes it's that phrase that gets us through... hope the warmth of the Christmas season will linger a bit longer for you
Anonymous said…
You always keep me thinking Natasha, that's what I love about you.
Anonymous said…
You always keep me thinking Natasha, that's what I love about you.
Susie Clevenger said…
Maybe if we live through the hard times thinking this too will pass we won't have them so stamped on our psyche it leaves it bruised. Great write as always Natasha.
t said…
This one was perfect. And oh, to be building on sand dunes, when you feel the whole time as if you're on solid ground.
Unknown said…
Sometime I wonder
if I'm even still here
knowing

this too shall pass
...
Such a strong ending following a image-filled series of that which thrills or disappoints.

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