October 2021
Author's Note: Nearly 25 years ago, a poet friend and I were talking about how others might describe us. I don't remember what I said, but her response was "You are a clear day in October." That stayed with me, and became a poem. When I published my first collection in 2016, I knew exactly what the title and the cover had to be.
Photo credit: j.lewis
ignorant of stars and charts i slipped into this world naked and helpless little mr. libra bringing a smile into the pain growing years ground on me and though i often failed to please myself it seemed nothing to be the balance to another's pain or sorrow painting peace on today hope on the face of tomorrow i always knew that i would be a healer though the way and the means were cloudy wandering almost to medicine then to the compassionate art a man in a woman's world butting against stereotypes that were too slow dissolving nursing my own way providing a corner of calm in an ocean of sickness and despair words have been my friends from first babbling an occasional bit of verse tumbling out on paper but nineteen ninety six for reasons i may never know a dam broke and my life came spilling out poems great and small detailing pity and passions that run like a common thread through everyone i know we laugh and cry together as they read me sensing, though not always aloud the healing of those moments i never felt i needed describing but in the middle of her latest wounding she painted me in one short line better than i ever drew myself — you, she said are a clear day in october
Originally published in a clear day in october.
©2021 j.lewis
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