gotta luv this one,hope you didn't nick yourself;-) you don't smile enough...

I had to quit shaving Robert, one day after a close shave with a razor my whole face swelled up, now I wear a beard, anyway just don't cut your throat, the den would be at a loss, and try to keep smiling, life gets crazy at times even in our own heads. You versed in a little crazy but then pulled yourself back to sane, signs of a great poet, refusing to be taken down even in his own words and verse, take care

I hope you will not have to cringe at your own reflection; well penned, Jude

v realistic, reminds me a bit of some later work of Ginsburg

Dear Jude, I like your poem as it expresses the truth in you. I am confident that by passing this path you will find your senses and your talent again. love Emile

Top humour here. I can so relate.

Know the feeling!

Like the ambiguity. Life is nothing if not confusing! Not only do we not find the answers we seek, we keep running into
new questions. Keep getting harder! Anyway, that's my experience.

I agree with reviewers who see pain, but stremgth and flexibility
and humor are reflected more clearly. "Reflect" is a great metaphor! As for humor, it is such an effective tool, one wonders how anyone
could survive without it. (Or should I have said "live a meaningful
life?")

Once again you prove that "prosaic" and Jude Forese do not belong
in the same sentence.

Thank you for continuing to hold up a mirror that reminds me of the exhibit at UNC's Planetarium that in effect is a metaphor for infinity.

Bless you!

Phyllis

Oooo.... and ouch! As ever, our pink-martini-laced parallel universes (always shaken and stirred!) seem to be having a bit of a cosmic giggle somewhere - with our mutual "close shaves", imagined and actual, Kartero! But how come I get the tattered side of that psychic umbrella of yours, Galahad?! Anyways, it will take more than a few nicks of the constant attrition filtering through its holy protective fabric to sever that hoary old head from its dreamscape body, I'm sure - though, as you say, your personal clarity seems dependent on finding and maintaining creative vision on which to pillow and couch it, so being able to resist the constant attrition of the materially downward-assailing slings and arrows of temporal life is a perpetual must.

As ever, we seem to be sharing the same misty, moisty pre-autumn poetic backdrop with loose curtains of cloud, reeling screens and sated gurgling in gutters, whatever the actual setting, and, through it all, the thick lathers of bubble bath and shaving foam do little to mask our transparencies of intuitive perceptivity... Just trying a little "never hesitate to make me laugh With the way your words Frees my seriousness When I am overwhelmed" in an attempt to tempt again that always-summer-Sunday smile, Amigo. Stay safe in that dangerous cosmic bathroom, Senor! waterKloset Kate xx

You are lucky. I cringe as she gets ready to nick my face... again.

Glad you are seeing better.

Ron

Holy crap! I know of these words! The daring! The spontaneity! Free-love! How have we so recklessly replaced the goodlife with the safelife?!!! Hell! You've inspired me today Jude!

Peace,
Dayvid

smiling transformations...well done

...reflecting on the man in the mirror, amazing at how quickly it changes from day to day. I really enjoyed this one, Jude!

There are many different takes on this write. From the one that knows exactly what it means, to the intellects and those just responding from their guts. I love that about poetry!

When I passed 40 things began to change in many varied and peculiar ways. I realized, though, whether there's verve or not, whether we feel enlightened, whether we're challenged with our bodies, circumstance, or those that have become our detractors and enemies, that the creative process continues.

The strangest things can transpire when shaving. I will attest! Sometimes when I cut myself I let it bleed for awhile and then I smear it across my face and scare my wife. She never gets it.
Stand strong, creative focus needs a vacation too! (-:
richard

Jude, strange how many of us men take the time to reflect and daydream when shaving. At my age I am aware each time that I look into the mirror to shave that an ever aging figure is staring back. What he was, what he now is and where he has been, and where he may go always give me cause to ponder. Those reflections are not what I always wanted, but they will not change. I only hope to improve each day. Even if reality is merely an incremental change. May peace joy and love be always with you my friend. Jon Michel

we see what we want. excellent write. -Morgan

well said

Introspection has value as you demonstrate here, Jude, preparing not only a face to meet the faces you meet but preparing for yourself. I'm reminded of Thomas Kinsella's 'Mirror in February' when he writes, "...Now plainly in the mirror of my soul/I read that I have looked my last on youth/And little more; for they are not made whole/That reach the age of Christ."

John

I share Ambers seniments,nicely done and by the way talk about time,i shaved off my beard today so your title Caught me eye

I like the feeling of dazed and confused you created here. I think we all retreat inside once in a while.
Sheila

You can lie to yourself in the mirror and that will make two fools, Wit and honesty are always a good combination.

Please don't kick your face Dear Jude and don't ever give up your quest to find all the fragments of yourself. I smiled at this one.

love the deep questioning and the3n humor in the end, careful with that razor!

Readers misread, not this reader. The intention of this poetry smacks in the face of psychology and it is brilliant by gosh...and is a metaphorical redeemer, I thought your readers knew you better, Jude. Perhaps you have stayed away too long and your readers are out of touch with your writing style? You nailed it!

s

Look at that man looking back at you...yes, he says lets get back to the days I remember~ this is a great write Jude~

I've been there a time or two...and I think if we're honest, we all have, for whatever reason...but the smile...it's a beginning.

Some days we have to look hard for that reason to smile but it's there. Well written.

Donna

Jude,
I cautiously respond to this poem. I do not see the cuteness in this write..I feel your energy as that of a questioning soul.

Look everyone one comes to turning points in their lives..sometimes situations seem bleak, unmanageable, incomprehensible, but in reality, it is only one more stepping stone toward that sometimes elusive feeling of freedom of spirit...I have gone through many of these moments, always regrouping and finding the courage and the energy to rise from the ashes so to speak.
You are a fighter, a survivor, a man of wisdom and vision and purpose.

Don't let temporary setbacks color your world..Take that smile in the mirror and go with it...turn that into happiness of soul and body. Positivity is the only thing that got me through all my tenuous positions... You state that your spirit beseeches redemtion, well redeem your coupon and get on with it...You have way too much to share with others, that mind of yours is an amazing factory of words and feelings and intelligence that needs to be heard..
As Peter said, pick up that pen and just write...let it all flow out of you, don't post it if you want, but let it flow, Jude, Shaman man..

Much peace, light and love,
Amber

Hmmm somehow, I am not seeing the cute that others have seen when I read this; perhaps it is because I, too, have experienced this transformation. For me, it was breast cancer that took me to that place where, for the first time in my life, I truly understood my mortality. Life somehow lost the "wild abandon" it had always held on to and only things that appeared linier or totally logical seemed to be worthy of my consideration. My pen quieted and though my brain continued to sing amazing verse, somehow, it lost its appeal when I placed it on the page for others to see. I was blindsided, I exercised every day, ate only organic foods for over 30 years, actually had been a vegan for over 20 of those years, took all my vitamins and supplements, took excellent care of myself and still, the "big C" found its way into my world. In the end, it all was fine, only pre-cancer, but it left a scar that tempered my innocence and changed my outlook. The truth is that nobody gets out of here alive and we should each make sure that upon our exit we are going down in flames not as a burned out spark. I kind of chuckled at the smile part, wondering if it was one of madness or simply realizing that we tend to take life way too seriously. Meaty write with a lot of chew from my perspective, Jude.
Take care,
Sherry

for me, this same attitiude set in when i turned 40. there's some sort of paradigm, perspective shift which takes place. hard to put a finger on it. it's like an invisible line. you don't know when or where you crossed it; but you somehow know when you're there. best descibed for me as a total loss of passion, faith, zest of youth...all replaced by a cynical, almost insane attitiude towards the world. i read somewhere once (don't remember who said it) that most people are clinically insane by the time they reach 40. i adore this poem. if i had any suggestion at all, it would be this: just take your talented pen and let the insanity rip onto paper! if we're goin' down, let's make it fun and interesting.

Cute write..Hugss

Now here's a name I haven't seen in a while. I look forward to getting caught up on all of your poems. This was a great place to start.

Very cute. Love the smile and hope you didn't knick it. :-)