New Poem: Broken and Burning

Day 4 of the daily poems to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week (10th - 16th May 2021) is here. Looking at the idea of feeling broken or burnt out and realising that this happens all around us everywere in nature's beauty.

Broken & Burning

A Poem by Simon Clark

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Just like the puckers in the tree bark,

The matted fur on a coat,

The immovable roundabout in a park,

The tainted system in which we vote,

I’m broken.

Just like the crack on the photo frame,

The shattered shell of a snail,

The creaking, shuddering of a walking cane,

The loaf of bread discarded and stale,

I’m broken.

But…the ocean breaks upon the shore,

The waves hit the shallow waters and break,

Resplendent,

Yes…the ocean breaks upon the shore,

Wave after wave, together cheek by jowl,

Supportive.

Collapsing,

Plunging,

Spilling,

Surging.

Just like the volcanoes blazing spark,

The candles smoking black wick,

The hearth in the cottage glowing in the dark,

The Halloween lantern; treat or trick,

I’m burning.

Just like the declining light of fame,

The bush fire flared a trail,

The furious core that nobody can tame,

The vicious embers caught in a gale,

I’m burning.

But…the sun burns with a fire so bright,

Enriching all things that squint in its wake,

Astounding,

Yes…the sun burns with a fire so bright,

Burst after burst, together hand in glove,

Gobsmacking.

Destroyed,

Fertilised,

Ripened,

Tempered.

Broken and burning bright.

© Simon Clark 2021