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Tuesday 20 December 2011

Touched: A poem by pete marshall


Touched
by pete marshall

Touched by a walk through the bustling streets
lights that shine bright on the joys that we seek
laughter rings loud from the young & naive
yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the wealth of those who walk free
unshackled by debt and goodwill to all thee
credit secured that brings forth some reprieve
yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the brush of two lovers who speak
embracing in shadows in bars where they meet
dreams laced with passion as partners deceive
yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve

Touched by the warmth of food that came forth
by fires that kindled and glowed in the hearth
of songs of our Lord and gifts we receive
yet darkness came home on a cold Christmas Eve

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This year has had more downs than ups, and some of you know what the last few weeks have brought to the Marshall house, and, as optimistic as I try to remain, Saturday I went to town and just came straight back home!!!

Its hard being cheery all the time and at Christmas this is emphasized more. I felt low but so do so many others and whilst I had my reasons I was able to come home, talk to my wife, embrace my children and was back on track again, but for so many others this is not possible and with that in mind I dedicate this poem to those souls that are lost & lonely.

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Today I also share this poem with dverse, especially my old friends from One Stop Poetry days, brian miller, claudia schonfeld, gay reiser-cannon who along with my brother, adam dustus and a very special friend in shan ellis, a collection of poetry, In The Presence of Poets, has been released.  For details of this publication please click on the following link


In The Presence of Poets

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23 comments:

Stryka66 said...

Powerful work, Pete - I greatly admire your poetic abilities, my friend - you seem to grow with every new piece...

David J Delaney said...

This is a wonderfully written poem Peter, well done.

Brian Miller said...

really well written pete...i am glad you were able to take your break and head back but so true on those that really struggle through this season....

a high is you had a book come out last week right? smiles.

Claudia said...

felt...good you are still able to see the warm spots in the cold and dark pete..needs a trained eye to do so

Dustus said...

"dreams laced with passion as partners deceive / yet darkness draws near on a cold Winters Eve" Flawless flow in sound; multiple meanings throughout.

Maureen said...

The line Dustus singles out is one that holds.

Wishing you the blessings of the season and a new year that lifts your spirit.

Arron Shilling said...

This is strong on every level Pete.
all my best to you and your family.
a great poem.

Brian Carlin said...

Touched,the whole piece speaks of distant connection for the observer, bringing him/her back to humanity....pensive and very affecting Pete....thanks for these lines.

hedgewitch said...

That echoing repetition in the last line becomes enormous by the end. Fine write Pete--congratulations on the book, and best wishes for a better new year.

Anonymous said...

touching and thank you for sharing

Joanne Young Elliott said...

These are truly hard times for many, I am among them, but when we have family it makes all the difference...though that dark cloud does still hover.

May the new year bring relief to all of us who feel this cold chill.

Blessings to you and yours.

emmett wheatfall said...

A very lovely poem, Pete. It is well -written and your heart is in it. It's pure and real. Don't know what your facing. Just know I, who am out here somewhere to you--care. I really do. I hope things get better soon.

wayside word garden said...

Loved this poem; and I enjoy personal stories and anecdotes that reveal the hearts and stories of the authors. May a light shine through the darkness this Christmas- and beyond.

Christine Ramsay said...

You are able to bring some hope out of the darkness. A very powerful and well written piece. I am sorry things are not improving much for you but hang in there. Things will turn round eventually.

Tashtoo said...

A touching write fine wordsmith. May the blessings of the season rain down upon you and yours, and may 2012 ignite your pen and your muse. I've got a few rough years behind me, so I know there's a light, a reprieve. But when I was in it...no one could convince me it would ever end. It does, it will, and I can not wait to get my copy!!! Ending on a high note and in great company to boot...a sign of things to come perhaps?

Joseph Hesch said...

This poem puts me in mind of Christmas when I was a kid. My dad was inevitably out of work, and with 5 little ones, he and my mom still somehow managed to make a memorable Christmas. It didn't take much. That's the thought that returns to me every Christmas.

Best wishes to You and Yours, my friend. Thank you for all you've done for me and so many others. God bless. jh

Unknown said...

Pete~
How eloquently you conveyed the truth owned by so many of us. For many years, quite some time ago, the holiday season was horrible for me. I know bereft and defeated quite personally. Gratefully, I have left that far back in my past, but I will always understand and appreciate both the reality and the intensity.
Masterful, not maudlin, this.

Anonymous said...

What Joanne Elliott said, all of it, Pete. Thanks so much for so beautifully and rhythmically expressing the light and the darkness of this time, especially with so much pressure on people to consume when the only thing that's real is sharing hugs. I'm taking a deep breath, girding my loins, counting my blessings, and moving on through the dark to the dawn. Many thanks. :)

Sheila said...

a supportive family is worth more than anything - I know. Glad you have that too. Merry Christmas, Pete.

cj Schlottman said...

What a gift you have to be able to show hope shining through despair. This powerful poem speaks to many a heart, and I thank you for being courageous enough to write it down. Please know that you are in my thoughts as you sort through your challenges.

Namaste........cj

Hope said...

My best wishes to you and your family in the coming new year, Pete!

brilliant write as usual
thank you for sharing

Anonymous said...

sorry for the struggles... life gets that way... there's One greater who can help... glad you have a loving family... may hope embrace your New Year

william manson said...

indeed friend, life is often a struggle, hope this Year is kinder to you mate.. stick in..