Stark outlines, or: Shades of gray

A ‘Garland’ Shadorma

shades of gray
blur the world entire;
even once
stark outlines
become fuzzier each day;
everything is one

what constructs
separate people
that one can't
unravel
with open-minded, earnest
receptivity?

surrounded
daily by others,
observe them;
see yourself
in their struggles and triumphs;
wisdom in caring

biases
simplify our lives;
reflecting
honestly
upon inner processes
causes discomfort

young children
demand to be heard;
over time,
we learn to
listen; words sound different;
empathy evolves

you and I,
we're no different;
all of us
love and dream;
humanity transcends worlds;
we all want the same

shades of gray
separate people;
observe them
honestly;
listen; words sound different;
we all want the same

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‘Garland’ Shadorma?

The ‘Garland’ Shadorma was created by Sylvia Cognac, modeled after the ‘Garland’ Cinquain. Essentially, it a Shadorma series of seven stanzas, with the seventh and final stanza being composed of lines from all six previous stanzas.

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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!