Tired of hearing your own voice? Guess most visionaries could say that as they are born to meditate what it is they see before they are effective in delivering it. Thankfully, what you have to say will be clarion to those with ears to hear and hearts open to receive, so you best get cosy with your resonant tones as you've a way to go yet... after all, you're not yet 60... are you?! LOL

Can't get over the fact that I was gasping for breath in the A&E of a London hospital the night your twin tornadoes struck Staten Island through Brooklyn and Queens. Must have been sobering to be on the edge of, to say the least. Thank God only one person was killed... one too many, of course, but surely grace was at work here as well as devastation: those angels with their opened wings putting a spoke in the wheel of destruction. The aftermath of all those crying-out voices in the night, seeking loved ones or picking through the remnants of dreams must have been surreal, like all my fellow hospital patients locked into their own situation and despair, their own sorry stories. Yet cameraderie also flourishes within shared desperation.

This is highly cinematic to me. And your choice of title fascinating. Makes me think back to the plaque two doors down at Hotel Chelsea, stating that Dylan Thomas "lived and laboured last here and from here sailed out to die": we expect plaques to remain as a permanent memorial when the flesh has ceased to be, so it's totally soul-destroying when the plaque, too, falls to ruin amongst the rubble.

Through it all I'm sure you'll stay safe... though you probably won't be permitted to remain asleep for too long! You're too much of a spiritual nightwatchman. Makes me think of Aerosmith's Dream On... but then, most of your stuff does! You must share Steve Tyler's tonal tonsils! :)) Kough-kough Kate xx

"decaying atmosphere of rebirth"... "dusty plains of my soul"...
"whirlpool of lost associations"... "and abandoned dreams"...
truly uncanny how "plaque" so accurately reflects my current
state of mind, jude.
another stellar write.
here's hoping that i can awaken soon and be silent no longer.
Be Well, Poet,
carolyn

I can relate. Seems like my mind just wouldn't shut the heck up last night. lol. Hugs,
Sheila

Jude I think for you silence must be a bridge from one dimension to the next!

Excellent poem about how some may feel.
Although you're most erudite, i don't for one moment think this is autobio'.

Great narrative though, I can hear the poets voice.

may you always find friends even in the swirling night. powerful pen.

Jude, you are evaluating your position in time. As for dreams, I seldom remember any other than my nightmares which I can readily recall in minute detail. Go figure! As Sage points out, the subconscious is a strange place out of sync with time and relevance. May peace and love embrace you this day my friend. Jon Michael

One is not held responsible for their sub-conscious, nor is the sub-conscious held responsible for one's actions...dreams are free agents free to come and go at their own gait and unlike tooth plaque, dreams cannot be scraped away with a human tool. I like this poem more than you know, Jude...

s

Jude,


I wish for you to be peaceful and joyful and triumphant.
God speed on your journey toward your desires and guide your light with the power that you posess deeply within.
Do not forget those who care deeply for you, they will be your guiding forces toward your life's goals.



Much peace, light and love,

Amber

A powerful poem, Jude, well expressed.

I can relate to this..I visit this place from time to time...almost as though in transition. And we move on, push forward...the alternative, for me, is no alternative. Love your work.

You will never be a lost soul, Jude, but I see why you examine and wonder where and how the changes come...you've stopped on the road a moment to evaluate how far along you are and what's left to finish.
Yes!

John

The last verse seems to sum it all up: ald the sounds of my mind can finally fall to sleep but do not remain silent for long. Must dreams and goals change as we age but some never truly die. They're always there, lurking just around the corner of our thoughts.

Donna

it always amazes me ,how you can be so articulate concerning yourself,and it gives us a way to look into our own condition.
Superb writing Jude!

ditto Ragno below...your descriptives here is of my current state of being, hard to shrug off so easily...thanks for putting it to paper

A word commonly associated with a buildup of unwanted material. I, too, have a buildup of them in my closet and no wall space for those damn plaques.

Ron

Maybe this is what psychologists refer to as learned helplessness. Perhaps this is where we become jaded, cynical. Wise, realistic? Youthful passion squashed under the jackboot of broken dreams, lost love, busted hopes. Your writing lately seems to touch a lot upon themes of transition. Moving from one world to the next. Be it the outside paradigm or the internal/ existential, breaking up, as they say, is hard to do. The flames still flicker, now and again, but it seems the fire has been sufficiently contained. Excellent piece.

Powerful.

It does get to the point where others don't seem to care about our dreams or the way we continue forward on our journey in this stage of our lifetimes. Truly, it is how we relate to our own visions and beliefs that moves us forward in a positive way. Very good work, Jude, and your observation of the dirtying of humanity, sad and sickening as it is, really made me stop and think about where mankind is heading. It seems as though some futuristic "B Movie" Sci-Fi is starting to become our reality.
Take care,
Sherry

i love the truth and depth of this-so well written

Jude: I am at a total loss for words and that doesn't happen very often. I'm so glad that I caught this one. Thank you....

duke larance -- the drugstore cowboy poet

welcome to my world, your words ring true to my own experiences. Some day we won't have to worry about what people think or do.

Ciao,
Ragno Donna

I can certainly identify with these words, Regis. Worse even, I get to the point sometimes where what I think about any given situation, means absolutely nothing at all. I feel, as you so aptly put it, "and an echo repeats its odd sense of faded renewal," which to me means that II am shrieking the same old, same old, and am afraid to move on. Good, indepth penmanship, Regis.

i find myself running
through a decaying atmosphere of rebirth

And I think many of us can relate, yet we trudge on.

Intense thoughts and ideas as we all labour from time to time with just what impact do our words and writing really have.
fee

well said, thought provoking

An introspection beautifully done.

George

The powerful images and the metaphorical tone of this poem serve to emphasize the theme that you present through your verses, Jude. In my humble opinion, this is very well done and my words do not do justice to your offering. Thank you. Love, peace, and best wishes,

Regis