this is a day of
desire slips to fade
and we watch only
the forests burning
”i’m too old for this shit.”
in muttered underbreath
“too old for this shit
by far.”
flames lead to smoke
lead to sputtering fuel
gone damp in the
marsh of neglect
nightjar calling at moon
waving away those
memories from when
we were young
15 responses to “nightjar calling”
I love this, Michael. And have long been fascinated by the nightjar. It’s still the working title of one of those white whales of a story I’ve been writing/ shelving for about a decade now. . . . Serendipity strikes again : )
I’m always surprised at our synchronicities 🙂
And I know all about those white whales. I have a few in my back pocket as well. Here’s to hoping you can finish your tale 🍻
Thanks, Michael. I am beginning to wonder if the point of that particular one is never to be finished. I’ve had many “finished” pieces spin off of it, but the one I called “nightjar” remains in perpetual limbo. It is possible this is what it must be. Or, it is possible that your post returns me to it, to see it with new eyes. Thank you, friend : )
It could be either. I will wait and see what you decide. I look forward to discovering the answer. 💙
: )
Waved away to return when the moment is right. 🔥A treat to read!
Thank you! I really appreciate it 💙
You’re welcome and thank you! 💛
That last stanza hits home. Is it better to let it all go?
I am never sure. All those wise guys on mountaintops seem to think so.
And now I’ve shifted musically to Dag Nasty’s “Ghosts” with this one, where they lament the old punk scene having drifted away from what it used to be and can never be again.
I’ll have to give that a gander too.
The album is called Minority of One. Run it all the way through. They were considered one of the original emo punk bands from DC back in the day, but not the wussy emo we know of today. They were very urgent. This album is probably a swan song, but impeccable and powerful.
Another name that I recall, but not in my aural experiences. Added after HIM.
This remains me of when punk went pop (i.e. Green Day era, post-grunge). Yeah, you don’t hear this kind of refined garage-rock from the 80s much anymore (I hear Hüskers in the influence, some Brit-chant punk; all with slicker production than the 80s had). Fun!