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Unraveled Strands
by Max BouilletMan did not weave the web of life, he is merely a
strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does
to himself.
--Chief Seattle
When she is with others,
she unwinds and unravels a bit
and the filaments from the frayed edges
of her soul stretch forth
and seeks to weave with those around her.
In the past, she was more liberal with herself,
but loss has made her hesitant.
(She had been woven with others
and lost too much of herself
when the strands were severed.)
As time took its due,
pieces of her soul
were buried with others
as death severed deep bonds.
With a chill, she feared a time
when there would be more of her
buried with others
than wrapped around her own core.
(The wisdom of age later gave insight
that she had no core
--just strands of soul unraveling, letting go.)
She was spreading too thin now,
as is the case when one grows older.
Strands still linked her to her children,
a friendly ex-husband,
a few friends, and even
the cat purring contently on her lap.
Soon she will be pulled a part
and all that remains
will be a scattered spirit,
memories of shelter,
and a golden strand woven in my soul. 01/19/2005 Posted on 01/20/2005
Copyright © 2024 Max Bouillet
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by JD Clay on 01/20/05 at 02:09 PM I don't know of one poet who shant see a bit of themselves in this beautifully scripted verse. A delicate subject that comes full circle with an uplifting message.
Pe4ce... |
| Posted by Melissa Arel on 01/20/05 at 02:22 PM yes, i agree.. this is an amazing writing.. the first stanza really sets the feeling, and you deliver the rest perfectly :) |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 01/20/05 at 02:26 PM and the sands of time, will unravel the strands of rhyme to deliver this introspective piece... leaves me with a sadness and a wish for her... excellent work... blessings... |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 01/20/05 at 08:53 PM To add to the growing concept here...it would be exactly as you said for me, too, except that I have found inside myself a place where the strands renew (albeit less and less as the years advance). Very evocative and compelling symbolism, I have to add it to my favorites! |
| Posted by Graeme Fielden on 01/21/05 at 12:30 AM quite an amazing story...from a Christian perspective it's quite scary, however from a Buddhist's, such intergration with a wider universe is what Nirvana's all about...cool stuff, as always! |
| Posted by Rommel Cruz on 01/21/05 at 03:53 AM NOOOO! *jumps head first to the fountain of youth* |
| Posted by David R Spellman on 01/21/05 at 10:48 PM Tremendously touching way of seeing the influence and love of others in our lives and how they still remain with us after they've passed on. Beautiful! |
| Posted by Michelle Angelini on 01/22/05 at 08:07 PM Max, this is wonderful! I like the quote you use and the basis on Native American teaching. I've put it on my favorites list, because I so identify with the feelings if not the circumstances. |
| Posted by Anne Engelen on 01/23/05 at 06:00 PM my absolute favourite of yours Max! sublime! |
| Posted by Karl Waldbauer on 01/27/05 at 08:37 AM Simply beautiful, Max. I especialy liked "The wisdom of age later gave insight that she had no core--just strands of soul unraveling, letting go.)as it is how I always understood these things to be. |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 02/25/05 at 12:27 AM 'Tis said"What a tangled web we weave" You have done some fine weaving with this one Max...Charlie |
| Posted by Bethany Lee on 03/01/05 at 04:05 PM the verse you have woven creates a word-wreath of wonder... |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 04/20/05 at 07:33 PM As I read the poem I went from feeling sad about all the losses to curious about this person and the the warp and woof of her life. Then the final line softened me and made me wish I had known her and seen you together. |
| Posted by Tony Whitaker on 12/23/06 at 12:39 PM I ahve added this to my favorites. The philospohical nature of this piece I do not necessarily agree with, but the concept of losing oneself can happen with some over time. Brilliant piece. Don't change a thing! |
| Posted by Patricia J Reed on 04/20/07 at 09:59 PM This is beautiful |
| Posted by Bet Yeldem on 03/14/10 at 10:55 PM i loved this work for it's insights and imagery... |
| Posted by Shossana Dreyfus on 03/21/10 at 08:23 AM Oh my god ... this kicked my butt to read ... minus the children and friendly ex-husband, it felt like looking into a mirror. I feel very attached to this ... |
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