Just lemme fly, I’ll death defy.
I miss the bliss, regrets and lies.
I wished for this, I’ll testify to dish Death’s kiss
and let me die…
A change of plan please if I can.
I’ve spanned and scanned of all lands and sands,
and stand a brand new, handsome man,
with standing, standards and a clan.
I cannot stand those scams I ran,
I danced and sang, while ranting slang,
I sang my sting to land it in.
It’s branded in, I planned to win.
There’s more to this than meets the eye,
ignore the shit, the streets passed by,
the struggle and the drugs,
I’ve tumbled into humble love.
©Paul David Ward
Since the lockdown, I have strayed further than ever from my blog. My normal activities have been replaced by gardening; sowing seeds, watering them, pricking them out, and clearing space in a disorganised communal garden that had to be cleared of masses of montbretia, ivy, creeping buttercup, dock, dandelions, bindweed, wild garlic, three-cornered leak (often mistaken for wold garlic, but even more invasive and less useful in the kitchen) and several kinds of annual weeds. I’ve been moving – or dispensing with – ill-placed plants and pruning untidy or overgrown shrubs.
I am exhausted from the time I roll out of bed until I crawl back in. My back and my legs constantly ache. My emotions are released: I cry at the drop of a hat.
And… I am happy, filled with a joy that is far less tinged with fear than could be expected during this pandemic. My son and I are rebuilding our relationship
When I took out the restraining order on my son, I knew the risks and they terrified me, but I also knew that the risk of not doing so was greater. For years I had been losing the bright, funny son that I loved so much. I had watched him turn into a sick, drug raddled, destructive stranger. He had to strike out on his own; to do or die – perhaps literally. I had known for a long time that I couldn’t help him to survive.
He didn’t die. He suffered, and that terrible suffering brought him back to the fold. We have not yet spoken since there is a danger that my voice could be a trigger for him, so the only contact I have with him is through text messaging. He sends me his poems and tells me what he’s been doing (deep cleaning and decorating his flat, drawing… and writing, of course), what he would like to do (he’s looking for voluntary aid work, but his record could go against him).
The blood of the phoenix runs through his veins. In addition to having cut out drugs and alcohol, he’s also in recovery from an abusive relationship with a very damaged young woman. He says his poetry helps him to work through his issues. He’s agreed to me posting some of his poems, and I am honoured to do so.
Hi Jane, I really enjoyed Paul’s Words and words. Such fun to read – I admire his ability to use words in such a sharp and rhythmic way.
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Thank you Pat. It means a lot to me to have his poetry praised. He was a lovely child with a sharp brain and myriad talents… but this has been such a long time coming
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I understand, Jane. The strength of a mother’s love makes the pain of not being able to help unbearable. All we can do is hang on and look for signs of the beauty and strength in the child that we know is there. Good job, mom!
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xx
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Wow, Jane. So good. So happy for you. And Paul.
It sounds like gardening is a good catharsis for you. Let the healing tears flow. You are creating a new you and a new world.
Much love and blessings coming your way xxx
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I hope you are well, Raili.
I always knew that Paul had it in him to recover, but I smothered it since I was afraid he’d kill himself before he reached that point xxx
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We are well here. I have been self isolating for over a month now. But our state of SA is well placed as far as the pandemic is concerned. We are now a week without any new cases and only 14 active. Restrictions are still in place and will slowly start being eased.
So happy about Paul xxxx
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You’ve almost knocked it on the head! THAT is excellent news! xxx
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Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. 11 days now….
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A beautiful poem Jane, thanks for sharing & glad you are forging relationships. Paul sounds a lovely young man 🙏❤️
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He is… now that he’s himself again 🙂
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🙂
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I love the poem. Profound would be an understatement. There are so many layers to it.
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what a bluntly amazing rhythm of words. i especially love the sound of 2nd stanza, could imagine someone reading it.
May God give strength to both of you. Ameen.
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Thank you! I’ve passed your comment on to Paul. He was very moved by the reaction to his poem.
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So glad to hear that 😊
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Wow – so words run in the family. I love his style of poetry and am so proud of how far he has come. Keep taking care of yourselves – it seems to be doing wonders for you.
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My last poem, Cultivation, was influenced by Paul’s poem. He says he can’t write like me, while I say I could never write like he does. I guess all that matters is that we can learn from each other.
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