Lanterns In The Abyss

Lanterns in the Abyss

I asked the silence why we breathe,
and it replied with echoes of stones,
reminding me that even mountains crumble,
yet still are called eternal.

The river knows it will never touch
the same drop twice,
but it runs anyway--
its purpose not to keep,
but to lose, beautifully.

We are no different.
Our hearts are brief lanterns
burning against the endless dark,
and the flame is not less holy
for knowing it will die.

Perhaps meaning is not a crown
to wear at the end,
but the quiet decision to walk,
to stumble,
to stand again--
and to love as though
the night will never close.

Reviews

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

An eloquent poem thought-provoking and super poetic in mod free verse wow! Kudos!

Plz also read and comment my newest poem here

[Einstein Noodle]

beautiful, Ayesha! profound wisdom says i .. and wonderful use of personifications of the natural world .. love it!! well done! thanks for sharing
E.

[The Ann Stories]

Maybe I shouldn't mention your age or even consider it, but I can't help thinking that for a young person, that is deep and of course, well written.

[carl]

as though - to know the night is only a shadow - night does not close over us, I think , rather we pass through it - as the light of life is stronger than shadow - as night or dark is the absence of light, not the other way around, someone said the dark does not comprehend the light - just as silence does not comprehend music. enjoyed your piece very much - beautiful lead in the first two stanzas then the Nexus of the third and the beautiful encouraging last stanza to close - carl

[poetic swan]

Profound and meditative, weaving impermanence, resilience, and quiet beauty. Language is luminous, imagery thoughtful—both gentle and deeply reflective.

[Kady R.]

Hiii Ayesha,

What a wonderful poem Ayesha. Very deep and insightful. I love the comparison with us and nature. I love nature.

"The river knows it will never touch the same drop twice" I mean there is so much depth with the line. Almost like don't look back is what I get from this line. Each line you wrote has so much philosophy in it. I really appreciate these kinds of poems. The ones that make me thing.

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful poem.
--Kady

[Buddhistboy73]

Wow!
For someone so young you write with a depth of emotion and understanding that inspires...

This is a deeply heartfelt poem ..I love the use of lanterns here.....
Each stanza is well crafted, but this is my favourite:

Our hearts are brief lanterns
burning against the endless dark,
and the flame is not less holy
for knowing it will die.

A great message and metaphor for life...

Thanks for sharing

BB73

[Michael Sun Bear]

Based on your name, I am guessing you may be Muslim. I love your poem, but I do not agree with it. Our heart center is where we hold the eternal flame that is Allah. It cannot die, it is eternal.

[emmajoygreen]

'The river knows it will never touch
the same drop twice,
but it runs anyway--
its purpose not to keep,
but to lose, beautifully.

We are no different.
Our hearts are brief lanterns
burning against the endless dark,
and the flame is not less holy
for knowing it will die.'

You use letters brilliantly - making sense from so many hidden intentions. Sadness in loss is more than tragic and painful. Memories are as near as a bandage or cushion to ease - just a little, the loss of whatever one fears most. Thank you for being the writer you are..

[John the Baptist]

The last verse could stand as a philosophy on its own. To love despite the stumbling is the ultimate test of this life.