The Rise and Fall

Take on board all criticism

and disregard it like you would an old coat

leave it beneath your feet

step on it—

stomp on it—

dance on it—

every day if it helps

until it is all but a distant memory—

in time

dust will collect upon it

and years from now

when you are old and grey

you’ll trip on threadbare woolen shreds

and you’ll remember what was said

it won’t matter any more

nothing will—

you will have made your way

success will be yours

and those who spewed forth that venomous doubt

in a verbal spate

will lie humbly six feet under

So it goes

I am swimming between two oceans

I cannot swim 

so I am drowning

in a chasm of green 

blessed by the gods

contaminated by man—

I cannot drink it

nor bath in it

instead I float and pray

ahead I see an island

a chimera

I think—

hope not 

my arms move with a steadfast determination

I ache and yet I swim

until I cannot any more

and I let myself be guided

arms open

the sea is my friend—

I tell myself

I close my eyes

and dream

until I can dream no more