View source for Grag's Collected Poems

{{Entry|user=chilingsworth}} 

''This book simply bound in leather with little adornment.<br>
On the inside cover is writen ''Grag Tharashk: Poems''''<br>


'''Change''' 

In each heart<br> 
lies life and death<br> 
joy, pain, and sorrow<br> 
and everything else<br> 

What we show, what we feel<br> 
determines who we are<br> 
yet change can come asudden<br> 
an unforseen forking of life's path<br> 

Never think you're set in stone<br> 
(save if you've been petrefied)<br> 
any choice can be counterbalanced<br> 
if you need to be rectified<br> 

Darkness can be lightened<br> 
as light cloaked in shadow<br> 
a lover's kiss can turn to poison<br> 
or a foe's hate turn to love<br> 
nothing is beyond change.<br> 


'''Today'''<br> 

To have this moment last a lifetime<br> 
if it must not last forever<br> 
To remain within today<br> 
and throw away tomorrow<br> 

If we could live as mayflies<br> 
whose whole life spans a day<br> 
Hold close, each to the other<br> 
for what would seem forever<br> 
living only for today<br> 

To keep our skins in contact<br> 
and each to feel the other heart's vital beating<br> 
would we be wise to live<br> 
for today alone?<br> 
and worry not for tomorrow?<br>


----
'''Untitled I'''<br>

Vast gulfs of air lay between us<br> 
the wind moans your name<br> 
like a man's dying breath<br> 
a sound that mocks me<br> 
and hightens my lonliness<br> 

Time's vast expanse stands<br> 
on opposite ends we find ourselves<br> 
allowed niether to begin our time together<br> 
nor to end our lonliness<br> 

You and I from different worlds<br> 
spread apart yet drawn together<br> 
let the Planes of the Wheel<br> 
rage with unbridled zeal<br> 
still will we return<br> 
and end this lonliness.<br> 


'''Writing'''<br> 

I dip my quill in ink<br> 
yet know not what to think<br> 
as I stare at my page<br> 

I sit with my untensils<br> 
impotent before me<br> 
no inspiration is forthcoming<br> 
though threw me flow sorrow, joy, and rage<br> 

I play a moment with that last<br> 
or does it play with me?<br> 
toy with thoughts of angry jealousy<br> 
take a sigh<br> 
and let them pass<br> 

my hand carries quill with its attendant ink<br> 
flowing across the paper leaf<br> 
and then I realise what I've done<br> 
the page is now so much fuller<br> 
than when I had begun.<br>


'''Untitled II'''<br>

I am not saintly<br> 
nor am I vile<br> 
I am merely a person<br> 
whose soul is on trial<br> 

I question myself<br> 
and seek always improvement<br> 
yet constantly facing<br> 
my own hypocricy<br> 

I am presented to all<br> 
in all my complexity<br> 
to any who wish<br> 
to accept or reject me<br> 
I leave the choice<br> 
holy to you.<br>


'''Perceptions'''<br>

I walk from each moment to the next<br> 
often incoherant<br> 
and more often depressed<br> 

As I take my paces<br> 
I struggle to be<br> 
unsure of my true identity<br> 

sometimes I wonder at the words which I speak<br> 
sure, they are pleasing to the ear<br> 
but might they be just lies?<br> 
What can you percieve<br> 
with your prying eyes?<br>


'''The Revisionist'''<br> 

Through years as through days<br> 
even hours, minutes, moments<br> 
events conspire to develop<br> 
in ways which do not please us<br> 

Yet what has past is past<br> 
there is no known way to change it<br> 
Gnashing teeth and wringing hands only brings more pain<br> 
So, why woudn't one refrain?<br> 

Each broken bond brings freedom<br> 
along with loss' pain<br> 
half-blind eyes are those that on the latter train.<br> 

That which fails to slay<br> 
only serves to strengthen<br> 
And just as every year needs some rain<br> 
so every life requires pain.<br>


'''Untitled IV'''<br>

Lives were lived<br> 
that are now over<br> 
weather ended by hand of time, god, or mortal<br> 
matters little<br> 
The sun has set on those days past<br> 
and stars have lost all noting of them.<br> 

But they are not gone (faded to nothing)<br> 
not at all like whisps of vapor<br> 

For in all things, new from old is forged<br> 
and those who've past come forth again<br> 
Ready once more to be etched<br> 
by twin dies of joy and sorrow<br> 
Ready to be painted<br> 
in colors of sin and innocence.<br>


'''Darkfire'''<br>

Darkness seems inescapable<br> 
when light is unseen<br> 
so dispair is engulfing<br> 
when you have left me<br> 

When you are gone<br> 
there is but a hole<br> 
come, my dearest<br> 
be the light<br> 
to ignite my soul<br>


'''Connections'''<br> 

From each to each connected<br> 
thin strands of need or friendship<br> 
Span the gulfs between one soul and its fellows<br> 

As time passes old links may wither<br> 
or young strands may arise<br> 
weak strands come unglued<br> 
strong ones might survive<br> 

If one is uncautious<br> 
he may find himself in a tangle<br> 
cocooned, like a spider's treat<br> 
left paralyzed<br> 

If one is too cautious<br> 
she may find herself isolated<br> 
with too few conections to resist<br> 
the pull of a bottomless pit<br> 

If one finds the mean<br> 
there still is no garuntee<br> 
their life will be found pleasant<br> 
but at least, there is the chance.<br>


'''Gamble'''<br>

Open<br> 
Close<br> 

A Mind<br> 
or a Door<br> 

decide<br> 
or leave for others to<br> 

It's all up to you<br> 

weather to play it safe <br>
or throw the dice<br>


'''Tempest of Fate'''<br> 

Day follows day<br> 
as hour by hour<br> 
you toil to remember<br> 
what you were after.<br> 

You win some<br> 
You Lose some<br> 

Between opulence and starvation<br> 
you bounce<br> 
Fates of the nations mean little to you<br> 
On opportunity you, like a cat, pounce<br> 
And so learn another feline was after it, too.<br> 

You toss and you turn about in your sleep<br> 
Much like you are tossed when awake<br> 
seeking any spar, or lover, to hold to<br> 
caught within the tempest of fate.<br>


'''Perconceptions'''<br>

Am I deep as an ocean<br> 
or a shallow puddle?<br> 
is my light my own<br> 
or merely reflected?<br> 

What tides rule me?<br> 
Cause my inner sea to overflow with anger?<br> 
Twisting word and deed<br> 
into unrecogniseable confusion?<br> 
what can be my conclusion?<br>


'''Realignment'''<br>

I try to remove this taint on my soul<br> 
or perhaps a hole<br> 
lingering conncetion to death<br> 
it wont go away<br> 
though my link be reduced<br> 
it is here to stay<br>


'''Helping Hands'''<br>

To aid my fellow mortals<br> 
how shall I proceed?<br> 
Do I sow disaster<br> 
with my well meaning deeds?<br> 

If I offer help to you<br> 
will you take offense?<br> 
or will you take advantage<br> 
to harm innocents?<br> 

Yet if I hold back my aid<br> 
from fear or prejudice<br> 
how can I call myself<br> 
anything save knave?<br> 
Or coward.<br> 

If I hide in my patch of light<br> 
afriad to enter even the slightest shadow<br> 
how can I hope to aid<br> 
those whose needs are not shallow?<br>


'''Anticipation'''<br>

At last the day arrives<br> 
to the lake I journey<br> 
there to find<br> 
my beloved bride<br> 

As many folks as I have known<br> 
might be seen to gather<br> 
a keleidoscope of color, race, and dispositions<br> 
all have crossed the paths of two lives<br> 

Now the time appoaches<br> 
and we show the world<br> 
that these two hearts<br> 
have syncronised<br> 
that two lives have joined as one<br> 
for all our mortal days<br>


'''Disapointment'''<br>

Delays and diversions<br> 
seem to be our lot<br> 
no matter how we run<br> 
there is still more road to trot<br> 

frustration seeps in<br> 
accompanied by anger<br> 
ruled by fear<br> 
that our destination will never near.<br>


'''Vanishment'''<br>

You've been gone<br> 
for forever and ten days<br> 
or so it seems to me<br> 

with your disapearance<br> 
lonliness creeps in<br> 
it becomes quite the clammor<br> 
strikes my heart like the cruelist hammer<br> 

the fear mounts<br> 
often making me pout<br> 
hiding my wonders<br> 
of where to hope for succor<br>


'''Run Around'''<br>

Your silence is deafening<br> 
enveloping<br> 
and terrifying<br> 
to me<br> 

without confirmation<br> 
my worst hallucenations<br> 
spring to mind<br> 
unbidden<br> 
and wont go away.<br>



'''For Love of a Sister'''<br> 

Sister,<br> 
cry your tears<br> 
but know not fear<br> 
of those who love you<br> 

cling to friendships<br> 
you hold them dear<br> 
and we would never flee your need<br> 
nor leave you in the dust strewn road<br> 

Sister,<br> 
you needn't seek your path alone<br> 
nor must you feel you need atone<br> 
our love will be yours always<br> 

the road you are to trod<br> 
has not yet been laid<br> 
donot be afraid<br> 
that its destination is already set<br> 

Sister,<br> 
donot force yourself to fit<br> 
into any ill-shaped hole<br> 
donot take a role<br> 
forced on you by others<br> 

Know that while we might not always agree<br> 
you still are family<br> 
I will always call you<br> 
SISTER<br>


'''Relief'''<br>

Teardrops fall<br> 
blood will boil<br> 
Pain and angst and sorrow froath<br> 

Love and Hatred intertwine<br> 
like errant strands of hemp and silk<br> 
twisting knotting convoluting<br> 
untill they become indistiguishable to my eye.<br> 

And then I blink <br>
heave and sob<br> 
And all is clear once more.<br>


'''Hope and Fear'''<br>

Hope<br> 
all I can do<br> 

Hope<br> 
that she returns to me<br> 
that the vectors our lives have taken<br> 
continue thier intersecting courses<br> 

Hope<br> 
that what seemed so certain<br> 
has not been made impossible<br> 
that we will meet again<br> 

all I can do<br> 
Hope<br> 


Fear<br> 
what I feel most strongly<br> 

Fear<br> 
the senation that paralyses<br> 
leaves me numb after searing pain<br> 

Fear<br> 
my heart's breaking once again<br> 
shattered pieces impale me like shards of broken crystal<br> 

I strongly feel my<br> 
Fear<br>


'''Seeking'''<br>

Fled beloved<br> 
return to me<br> 
can I persist<br> 
absent your company?<br> 

Fled beloved<br> 
run no more<br> 
join me by the lake shore<br> 
in the City of Andrinor<br> 

Fled beloved<br> 
what would you do<br> 
were I to flee<br> 
after you?<br>


'''Solitutde'''<br>

Alone?<br> 
solitude has its uses, I suppose<br> 
may you find<br> 
sweet repose<br> 

Rest<br> 
my love<br> 
I'll be here<br> 
when you awaken<br>


'''Daily Grind'''<br>

Good days<br> 
Bad days<br> 
blurring by me<br> 
can't tell the difference anymore<br> 
no longer keeping score<br> 

Bad days<br> 
Good days<br> 
niether matter overly much<br> 
they all bearly touch<br> 
the ultimate fate<br> 

No matter how many I heal<br> 
there still will be more<br> 
no matter how much I love<br> 
I'll still be tainted by hate<br> 
my challenge is great.<br>


'''Idyle Hands'''<br>

Why do I bother<br> 
to write any words?<br> 
why do I bother<br> 
to write poetry?<br> 

I am no bard<br> 
they give me no sustenace<br> 
and often times<br> 
grant no relief<br> 

Why do I use<br> 
this pen and this ink<br> 
why do I comsume<br> 
all this blank paper?<br> 

do I really<br> 
want to know<br> 
why?<br>


'''Needy'''<br>

I need a voice<br> 
to tell me I'll be okay<br> 
that I will get through this<br> 
that what awaits me is worth it<br> 

I need a touch<br> 
to calm or embrace me<br> 
a friend I can reach out to and feel<br> 
so I know that friend to be real<br> 

I need a hand<br> 
with the burdens I carry<br> 
or rather an eye<br> 
to identify them<br> 

I need<br>


'''Mistbound'''<br>

Two ships passing<br> 
on an unclear night<br> 
each notes the other<br> 
for but a moment<br> 

then each is swallowed<br> 
by the mists of time and distance<br> 
like soliders lost<br> 
in the fog of war<br> 

I do not wish<br> 
for us to be<br> 
Two ships passing<br> 
in the night<br>


'''Fortified'''<br>

I construct my wall<br> 
for my defense<br> 
and man its ramparts<br> 
day and night<br> 
defeding against<br> 
enemies unseen<br> 
yet still very real<br> 
to me.<br>


'''Untitled IV'''<br>

Where did it go<br> 
my idealism?<br> 

from whence comes<br> 
this heavy cynicism?<br> 

do I lead those I call friends<br> 
on paths of death and doom?<br> 

do I offer hope of redemption<br> 
or do I lead to damnation<br> 
for souls whose purity would be untainted<br> 
save for my delusion?<br> 

am I to walk alone?<br> 
can I find a way to atone<br> 
for wrongs I feel I've done<br> 
but cannot name for lack of knowledge<br> 
though I seek all my days?<br>