Longevity

he gazes upon leaves rubbing shoulders in the breeze

and folds his paper into a tree,

complete with smooth branches

and an intricate canopy.

after an extended time,

(somehow the simple twitch of a second)

a bird alights on said tree.

the man,

infatuated with this newfound change of scenery,

quickly flattens and refolds his parchment

into a creature of feather and beak.

paper wings twitch, grasp the breeze,

and flit away;

the man is left with naught

but empty hands.

Author's Note

Will you give your affections to that which will endure, or to fickle lust that will slip away.

Reviews

[Skoo.]

This is so, so, so good.
It reminds me of the fable with the dog and a piece of meat.
This is one of those poems that sticks with you, I think. You know, the best ones.

[FJ Davis]

The faddish, which is often flashy, quickly burns through its flimsy core of vanity; truth, however, is made of imperishable stuff, and cannot help but abide.
One would think that this does not really pose a difficult choice. But it is rarely perceived clearly. This poet's amazingly inventive metaphor helps heighten that perception.
Consequently, Ben, "Longevity" is likely to live on.

[Judy Ponceby]

superb prose. you have reached new depths of seeing my friend. of experiencing. exquisite imagery and the blend of the realistic man folding reality to his whims and losing them in the end. magnificent. never stop writing ben. your gift should be shared. :)