Fight Song #2

there is 

a 

river

there is

a

span

they said you'd find God

in a kiln

curious clay

a

fire

is

fanned

the ocean speaks

the highways unwind

such secrets to seek

keep these things

in 

mind

seasons 

will turn

like pages read

the fight is real

don't

leave

a ragged word

unsaid

and with pen

in fist

take in all time's plan

know 

you were just 

a child 

then

now

you're 

just 

a 

man

Author's Note

The prompt was "advice to your younger self..."

As always, I can't get the thing to format correctly, but I'm gonna leave it up. Cheers friends!

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I don’t care for formal pretty format either
Am free style writer too
So don’t worry
I loved this

[Marie]

We have to age in order to require wisdom. Youth is wasted on the young! We grow old and acquire knowledge which would have benefited us many years before it sought us out, but that's what experience does. Nothing wrong with the formatting in this inspiring poem, John and I like the way it spills down the page, like a waterfall which wraps the reader in the wisdom of your words. If I had a chance to turn back the hands of time and be young again, I wouldn't accept the offer. I love being old enough to remember how to laugh, to please myself, to enjoy life and living and I wouldn't swap it for anything. A very relevant/astute write which I so enjoyed. Thank you for sharing, John. Wishing you a very nice, relaxed and pleasant weekend to enjoy...

[John Sullivan]

And thank you for reading! It's a sunny Saturday afternoon. Peaceful. All my best.

[Marie]

Most welcome always, John. Delighted you are enjoying a lovely, peaceful and relaxed Saturday. Cold, wet and windy in Ireland :) Just like Winter!!!

[John Sullivan]

Oh no! The thing about the weather is that it always changes for the best. Eventually. Cheers

[Marie]

Here's hoping, John. Thank you for your encouraging words...

[emmajoygreen]

What a wisdom you share here, life-learned and felt. Seems these days there's always trouble hiding behind a door wanting to slam one's fingers on the hinge side. Happens and hurts like hell. Confrontations and pain we can all live without.. one can but try. That or stand and be steadfast. Turn the other cheek or try. OR run to a desert or mountain and lose self-esteem, heart or both. We can but learn if left to find the answers, the questions might be tough but..

Many, many thanks for sharing. Maybe we learn something from reading straight but gently put sense.

[John Sullivan]

Fine response, Ms. Emma. The older I get the more confrontation and pain seem to be part of the process, but I like to think we learn to roll with it all a little better. They say age brings wisdom... I'm gettin old Ms. E, and I certainly hope so. Thanks so much for reading!

[emmajoygreen]

I agree with you, as we get older things seem to make a natural progression, problems/upsets might and often do worsen but experience logically remembered does help to ease. At least one can only try, yes?! Keep smiling, my friend.. it helps. :)

[John Sullivan]

One can try, and it's worth doing so. And I shall, my thanks Ms. Emma!

[emmajoygreen]

Am more than happy to gradually age if wisdom includes kindness, understanding, a little or more humility and - laughter!

[John Sullivan]

We mustn't forget to laugh, it's true. Agreed

[jacob erin-cilberto]

from "just a child" to "just a man"---
this is just a poem that speaks to this reader as I just turned another year older.
I really like the layout of this and the effect it creates.
j.

[John Sullivan]

Thank you kindly Jacob! I'm getting reflective in my advanced age... how much changes, how far we come... yet so little... sort of? Anyways. Many thanks, good to hear from ya

[Thomas W Case]

Tremendous work. Fight on. I love this.

[John Sullivan]

Many thanks, my friend, and will do

[Neville]

Fighting without fighting (Lee 1973) is always the best way to go @ least in my book .. & never mind the formatting, I think it looks great as is .. Neville

[John Sullivan]

I did leave a reply here, but might have forgotten to hit the "post comment" button. Thank you kindly, and I agree. Cheers.

[John the Baptist]

The first words of this one seem to be inspired by Psalm 46, which is in a way a fight song. It urges us to "Be still and know that I am God" in the midst of deep troubles. I find that same spirit here. The fight is real, but don't falter and don't leave "a ragged word unsaid." The ending seems to tell us to leave the past behind. Good advice throughout.

[John Sullivan]

Thank you most kindly for the insightful review. I just try to remember that Abraham believed, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Something wonderfully simple about that thought. Anyways. Thanks for reading!

[Aluppi Jampur]

If one could go back with this advice. These are wise and meaningful words and the time may have passed but we can leave wisdom for our children, neices or nephews. Any who are still on their path needing guidance.

[John Sullivan]

With a little luck, it's not too late for any of us. Always time to live and grow and learn. Thank you kindly for your visit, friend