I felt that last stanza like a sigh. This is beautifully written. Good to see your words on the page again

This is why one must travel. The doorway into inspiration while being surrounded by the culture.
Japan is on my son’s list , mine too!
Thank you for sharing:)

We remember you waking crazy hours to work in the early morning hours, and this isn’t written to sound like we shared the same bed. This is just something we remembered from DUP. We’re still drooling over all of your travels, but to read you is a trip within itself, tight.

Such beautiful imagery–the lanterns feel alive, carrying both memory and impermanence. The poem glows with quiet reverence.

Beautifully penned, S. Amazing write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

The cup of truth. I like how you wrote that even though it is broken, it is its most valid form.

Hey Fia… thanks

I love the idea of painting over sorrow with gold.
The rest flowed flawlessly amiga.
It’s great seeing you post:)

Powerfully penned, S. Excellent write my friend, hope you enjoyed your journey in Japan. Appreciate you.

Damian

Wabi Sabi

Lots of wabi-sabi, now ma aware, the rhyme of one word…

As beautiful a write as it is strong. This is the type of write I search for. Strong, empowering. Hopeful.
I feed off such things, to better my own writing, by the mood created in a write. You succeeded greatly here.

I don’t like arrogant people, I’m sure most don’t. Trying to get along with them is almost impossible so I don’t try. And being in a band with one can be maddening. I don’t know, often times I wonder if they’re just wounded and like a dog they try to fight the world and everyone in it. It takes patience I guess, and a lot of it to get through and heal those wounds. Whatever. Good one, Damian.

I consider myself a peaceful person for the most part and do want people to heal.
I always wonder what the hell happened. Everyone is born innocent but living can change people.
Experiences change people. Some grow from it and others don’t and fester.
As I got older I also learn from observing and knowing when something is a lost cause.

Enjoyed the read amigo!

You truly succeed in unlocking new points of view with your brilliant and thought provoking writing, dear Damian! Many people become hard-hearted and bitter, when the storms of life challenge them. But it is never too late to reach their hearts. ‘Aren’t we all beautiful flowers covered by thorny vínes?’ in the end, love will win over arrogance, ignorance and violence!

Superb work.

I always try to be conscious of the fact that I don’t know another person’s pain. But sometimes I really just want scruff the arrogant ones and tell them “Stop making your damage my trauma!” Wouldn’t do any good anyway. But the urge is there. That arrogance is usually armor. Crack the armor and it crumbles. Then we get to the heaet of the matter. The places you go with your musings, my friend…

That first line really hits–‘Ignorance is bliss amongst the arrogant.’ It sets the tone for such a sharp reflection on how perspective shapes truth. I love how you balance disillusionment with hope–the idea that words and compassion can still open new ways of seeing

Beautifully penned

Perfectly poemed my friend .. makes perfect sense and looks so good sitting on this particular page .. which was obviously made for it .. write on brother .. Neville 😎👍👍

Damian, this is strong tonic on arrogance. You put the iron to the fire with this without a dull moment in the. You concisely and powerfully express your views and emotions that spill across the page brilliantly.

John

I’m big on the closing lines of a poem. What an impact they make. It’s the impression your reader walks away with, that stays in your head like a song you can’t shake. The lost loves and the unrequited loves are always on my hit list. You nailed this one, Damian…so good!

This was hidden? Man, this was screaming to be let out. “No winners because the race was fixed.” Yup.
This is a great piece, cuz

The last stanza is a real ass kicker! The rhyme scheme is cool too. It’s obvious that you care about your results. It shows in your craftings. This is thought provoking, but not heavy. Well done Damian.

I too enjoyed the rhyme scheme. Everyone can relate to this. We’ve all been there.
When you both know it was over a few months back!
Great write amigo!

wow dearest Damian so much power and passion in this I am floored ❤️great write…

Now aint that the truth so bloomin well poemed .. Say it like it is why don’tcha eh .. Great ink Damian & subsequently awarded Nev’s dubble 👍👍

This is dark, deep, and brilliant, Damian. I’m glad you dug it out of the vault! The honesty in this poem is cutting, and the final lines–“instead of owning we rented / while love got strangled” –are a phenomenal, memorable finish. A wicked good read.

“another moment dies”

That’s the thing people lose sight of. Once the moment is gone…it’s gone. What we make of it bears a lot of weight. I’d rather carry honest weight than the baggage of pretense. I’m glad you found this one. It needed to breathe, my friend

Damian, great rhyme and flow while delivering a strong message.
Excellent work sir.

Hard hitting piece. So true my friend. kick-ass write Damian.