Seeing Wisdom in rocks and clouds and whimsy

I walked by a large rock today that I swear looked like a carved face of an old soul in it. Could be the sinus drugs, but it was kinda cool.

Eyes stare solemnly
Character etched deeply
Emphasized by each groove
Long exposed to the elements

And it makes me wonder
Will I show such depth?
When the rain remains my only source
Of tears

When everything about me changes
As it’s apt to do
And yet will I remain
As he does

Stationary
Silent
Solitary
Weathered beautifully

Covered in green mildew
Against cold stone
Long since resigned
To bear witness to
The consequences of time

1- Tracey on Apr. 23 2007

Call me crazy, but I'm certain it wasn't the sinus meds at work. I like the way you linked yourself to the rock in the second stanza with the tears/rain imagery, the way you express your wonderment about your future and the way you allude to the stone's dignity and grace without using those words.

Two things that made me pause:

One -

When everything about me changes

As it’s apt to do

Honey, unless you're on to something that you'd best share with me (who loves ya, Shanny!), we're not so much apt to change as definitely destined to do so -- there's no choice. And that fact actually ties in quite nicely with the stone soul.

Two-

Long since resigned

To bear witness to

The consequences of time

I keep puzzling over the word "resigned," wondering if that's the perfect word or if it should be a word akin to "accepting." Resignation sounds more like defeat -- but of course a person can act with dignity after defeat. So I'm just sort of going around in circles about this. It will be good to see others' opinions.

This is a lovely shamanic-style poem and I'd add it to my faves list if I had one.

2- Kath on Apr. 23 2007

I love this poem. And take it very personally as I have spent years walking daily on the beach and seeing things in this way. You've captured the essence of the experience, and it brings back a strong sound of ocean and the faces of many creatures... have you read my She Poems? (Also my Mendocino Poems) You would love them because they link so strongly with this experience, and the photos I have taken on those walks too. I can't help sharing this with you and will post at least a few photos when I can... Again..I wish the caps were not there at the beginning of each line... tell me to stop saying that...giggle...by explaining why you want them. I will thoroughly listen.

Ah one more thing...I wonder if there is anything you could do in the early part of the poem to make sure no one sees this as a stone statue--- that there would be no mistake that you saw this in the rock......without having to explain the walk in prose? What do you think?

3- Anstey on Apr. 23 2007

is the title supposed to be 'wisdom?'

stephan