Tag Archives: kathartic

Four Improvs Later…

Posted on 12 November 2024 | Leave a comment 
It was maybe foolish, and ill-advised.
Now my brain won't stop 'till I'm penalized.
Seek solace in song, make air column hum:
Tunes ne'er before played, on euphonium.
Was not enough, I still want time machine
To avoid ill side effects: intervene.
Pluck metal strings o'er resonant wood frame,
With acoustic bass, minor blues tune, tame
My heart and my mind with what-ifs now racked.
But the time is too short to pacify;
And dark images, not yet past grim, fly.
Now to the page the turmoil can be tracked.
Tomorrow I must face the unknown score.
Resolution unknown, check back at four.

Copyright ©️ 2024 H.K. Longmore

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The Seven Breaths and a Resolution

Posted on 11 November 2024 | Leave a comment 
A remark made in one place in space-time
Recombines with remark from distant past
And then current situation. Alas!
'Twas enough to make heart a flounder-mime.
Remark was innocent enough, he thought;
No malice, deception, or ill-intent
Could be detected at space-time present.
But the combination made blood run hot.
Social moors dictate none involved should know,
Despite communication's rules; sealed lips
Until through therapist's door he can slip.
Emerges with Seven Breaths Up in tow.
So he tries the seven breaths exercise,
And answers appear to his great surprise.

Copyright ©️ 2024 H.K. Longmore

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Not In

Posted on 20 October 2024 | 1 comment 
"Are you doing okay?" she asked with caring eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I gave the oft repeated lies.
It was neither the place nor time,
To get into my sorrow, to make saline rivers sublime.
I'll tell the truth, should she again ask, 
When we're homeward bound.
I'll tell her of how sometimes, behind my mask, 
I feel I don't belong, I shouldn't be around.
Or perchance I'll let her choose:
Does she want the strong façade
Or the vulnerable truths?
The tender heart, or full bravade?
I won't say something she uttered was the trigger.
But she didn't ask, so I'll stand by my rigor.

Copyright ©️ 2024 H.K. Longmore

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Saline Rivers, Fresh Tides

Posted on 3 June 2024 | Leave a comment 
"Come and play with us!' His fellows called out.
"Come dance with us!" Peers tried to remove doubt.
He put up no fuss, nor yet did he yield.
They knew not the reason future revealed.
Me, now, options weighed, I'd like to have played;
I'd like to have leapt and danced through the glade.
But, uncomfortable in my own skin,
I had saline rivers to cross.
For the victor is the field,
But also for the beaten down.
Both, one day, will wear a crown.
And know ye that I ye kin?
I float no better on fresh tides than salty currents;
My welcomings of the same, recurrent.

Copyright ©️ 2024 H.K. Longmore

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Songbird

Posted on 30 May 2024 | Leave a comment

“the liquid coolness of things drawn from the bottom of springs,” said Thoreau, of the song of a wood thrush.

A song I’ve yet to hear, but I’ve been told I should, paired with a wonderful singing voice, awaits out in the future night. Or perhaps it will be day when I hear that lay.

Will that song remind me of drawing water from the well of spring? (A task I’ve never done.)

Or will it evoke the heat of campfires on bitter winter nights?

Take away my breath as I plunge into a glacial lake not yet warmed by summer sun?

Restore it; a rescuer’s timely arrival on the scene, as waves wash my breathless body on the strand?

Will anticipation sour the grapes? Or sweeten the long awaited musical embrace?

I’ll pray I’ll hear it someday, even if only by His grace.

Copyright ©️ 2024 H.K. Longmore

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