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man of aran by alan's avatar

this death visible only

when a star casts off

its history of light.

Wow. Perfection.

Katharine Beckett Winship's avatar

Brian!!

You landed those gorgeous ideas into the commons where we mortals can grasp a sense of the invisible world.

🌱🌿🌲💚

Brian Funke's avatar

High praise, thank you!

Bliss Grey's avatar

You have written volumes in a few lines of words.

It brings me to tears, the possibilities of wisdom that could be enjoyed by just one line.

thank you so much for this feeling.

Brian Funke's avatar

Thank you, means a lot that you shared this!

Teyani Whitman's avatar

The second stanza grabbed my heart.. whispering to the stars.. because the stars and God converse .. I find that image so relatable and sincere. I will think of it for sure when I next talk with the stars. Thank you✨

Brian Funke's avatar

Excellent! I liked that one too. Not that cosmic thinking when one looks up is my idea, but I like how that stanza came together. 🙂

Teyani Whitman's avatar

It is elegant

Weston Parker's avatar

That's a dang interesting poem and it's got that thing where, like a good song, you are a little sad when it's over. Good job.

Berkana's avatar

“ I know of dust but it is

appearance I have faith in,

the squeak of a swing”

Ann Collins's avatar

Brian, I feel this poem like weight in the chest. Your words give shape to that sleepless, soul-searching yearning that haunts us all on darker nights. Yet it gestures towards something in the last lines--something lonely and lovely--something beautifully alive.

Brian Funke's avatar

Thanks Ann. Sometimes searching feels like a weight, doesn’t it?

Ann Collins's avatar

It does. But maybe it's a weight that makes one stronger for carrying it....or like the weight of a sleeping child in your arms...a weight that might be carried with care and self-compassion.

Brian Funke's avatar

Beautifully put.

Susie McGaughey's avatar

Beautiful

Nathan Slake's avatar

when a star casts off

its history of light.

This is a stunning line and conveying of ideas, Brian. Wonderful poem.

Brian Funke's avatar

Thank you ☺️

Mark Rico's avatar

"I know of dust,

layers of skin cast off

and suspended around me,

this death visible only

when a star casts off

its history of light."

This stanza is where the poem turns into more than a poem.

Brian Funke's avatar

It’s a good turning point. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Margaret Ann Silver's avatar

The whole poem is lovely, but this stanza really struck me:

"I know of dust,

layers of skin cast off

and suspended around me,

this death visible only

when a star casts off

its history of light."

Cynthia's avatar

🖤

David Donoghue's avatar

A really nice deep exploration. It has left me thinking, a lot!

Sarah Howard Lapine's avatar

I really love the way this builds - the notions of what is found, what that means, where we find faith - really beautifully, quietly written.

Brian Funke's avatar

Thank you Sarah. It’s definitely a quiet piece. I appreciate you reading!

Brian Funke's avatar

Thanks Margaret!