Past, or: Perfect

Poetry Partners #45

A series of raiku about the past by Alan Steinle of ‘Alan’s Poetry’

(Alan’s invention: raiku = rhyming haiku)

the past is a chain
we drag along the terrain
of our aging brain

whether right or wrong
the arm of the past is strong
carries us along

can we break the tie
let all our past notions die
soar into the sky

the past won’t return
grief and pain will be unlearned
joy is our concern

focus on the past
and karma will be amassed
that can’t be surpassed

overlook them fast
the thoughts and deeds of the past
so karma won’t last

• Alan Steinle: https://alansite.net/

A series of ranka responses by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

(my invention: ranka = rhyming tanka)

the past is a chain
we drag along the terrain
of our aging brain;
those gone ~ in our minds' domains
in warm memories remain

whether right or wrong
the arm of the past is strong
carries us along;
in rushing river ~ our throng
driven by time's ageless song

can we break the tie
let all our past notions die
soar into the sky
freed of grave burdens ~ some fly
sweet recollections ~ last sighs

the past won’t return
grief and pain will be unlearned
joy is our concern;
conflicting emotions churn
~ it's for peace of soul most yearn

focus on the past
and karma will be amassed
that can’t be surpassed;
these mortal lifetimes stream fast
~ does anything at all last?

overlook them fast
the thoughts and deeds of the past
so karma won’t last;
we've each but one die to cast
~ eternity's unknowns ~ vast

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Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

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List of Poetry Partners