—Percy
Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822)
Now with fewer bits of information |
ways of the world (torn with time)
With time comes progression, with
progression comes change,
with change comes growth that often stills memories
as
new ways of the world emerge.
billboards
ravaged with time
maintain their outer
shapes
lingering of
secrets hidden
as paper peels
and drapes
diminishing
camouflaged enigmas
lay under cover out of view
concealing
mysteries beneath their skins
’til forgotten
layers push through
rugged frames, solid foundations
endure the
eroding sands of time
weathering the
change in seasons
as the layers
gradually unwind
billboards
generating smiles of life
reveal
captivating thought
pressing designs
into memory
as images remain
taut
bleached paper
and spotted ink
subtly reflect
on times past
fading into the
distance
as lone ghosts
of meaning last
onionskins
exposed to the world
tear freely from
the scorching surge
relinquishing sun-dried membranes
as tomorrow’s
new skins emerge
©2012
Awakenings |
As you travel along life's highway, notice the decaying billboards, those peeling or splattered with paint. Consider them more than dying words blistering from scorching heat across disparate images. They are a part of history. . .what once attracted attention now reflect aging as life itself.
Become aware of your life's billboards as images inch their way forward revealing memories of events or friendships long forgotten.
"Without skin, we would have no wrinkles; without wrinkles, we would have no past, present, or future. Within each new wrinkle resides a memory."
—Sharla Lee Shults (1946–Present)
Very nice.
ReplyDeleteLove the sign. Have just been trying to describe one very similar I saw in San Francisco years ago.
Of all that I have seen, I never saw the need for a picture. I searched the Internet to find this one. Glad you stopped by!
DeleteSharla, I too love the sign and the metaphor of the billboard and life.
ReplyDeleteDicy
Thanks, Dicy. The poem is from the upcoming book. Really appreciate your comments:>)
DeleteI loved the insight in this. I never thought about the history of what was displayed on the billboards before. That is a real ahhh moment for me. Thanks so much for your blogs, Sharla, they lift me up in a lot of ways! Hugs, Deirdre
ReplyDeleteLooks like we are good for each other! Happy Anniversary!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteHow true, how true. Life changes and we changed. There is a song that I love so dear from Nina Simone. It says everything must change, nothing remains the same. To live life being fully conscious of this would probably change the way we treat people. There are no guarantees of tomorrow and what I do today will have some effect on the changes that I have to face in the future.
Thank you for the poem that reflects the changes around us and for your words to think about.
Ciao,
Patricia
Glad you enjoyed! I have been pleasantly surprised with the reaction to this one:>)
DeleteI love this poem. I also congratulate you on having the ability to look at something as mundane as a peeling billboard and see more to it than meets the eye. That's one reason I love hanging out with writers. We "see" more than other people do!
ReplyDeleteThis one evolved quite unexpectedly. What would have been really unique would be to have had my camera to shap the billboard that actually sparked the poem's first words!
Delete