Author Information
One Spark is a Galaxy
For Starward
When I was ready to give up
the tiger swallowtail,
carrying ideas
on its brassy, breathing
wings,
landed on my sorrow,
and I couldn't
imagine what those reinvented
thoughts were and I
had no idea what to do with
all that cleansing,
but I knew it was different
than what I had,
and that was enough,
and so was the forest
and the fluid sky, so
ferocious in their
unchanging identity,
and the bottomless silence
between it all that is
made out of kindness and
an innate need to give,
and so, I guess it's true:
one life makes all
the difference.
Like the winged oracle
in constant bloom
bringing news of velvet and
gold to those beaten down by
too much raw living,
you hand a gleaming scroll to
the brutalized, the social exiles,
the spirits too fine and precious
for this world,
and to those hearts
your words are portable fire
they will carry
through their days
and when they are alone in
the dark—
a darkness that should
annihilate memory but
spares it just enough—
they will look up at spheres
pinned to a mystery
and remember your name,
and, knowing that Love
stitches galaxy to galaxy,
and everything,
together,
remember who they are.
Patricia Joan Jones
Wow! I have to go and read
Wow! I have to go and read starwards poem! This is just magnificent and empathy and respect pours from this work. So powerfully descriptive as only you could lace together with such sensitivity and verracious verbage
And that last stanza -
"and, knowing that Love
stitches galaxy to galaxy,
and everything,
together,
remember who they are."
Just glorious!
Don't let any one shake your dream stars from your eyes, lest your soul Come away with them! -SS
"Well, it's love, but not as we know it."
I'm deeply touched by your
I'm deeply touched by your appreciation for my intent and vision in this long overdue tribute. Starward has been an example of excellence and generosity to us all. I can't thank you enough for your brilliant expression that has completely turned my day around. Blessings upon blessings.
Wholeheartedly agreed! Sorry
Wholeheartedly agreed! Sorry about the typos but you get what I mean
Don't let any one shake your dream stars from your eyes, lest your soul Come away with them! -SS
"Well, it's love, but not as we know it."
all the difference
one life makes all
the difference.
and, knowing that Love
stitches galaxy to galaxy,
and everything,
together,
remember who they are.
And let us remember the name – Starward. Because I know of no one, over the many years… who gives as great as he… of his soul, of his mind, of his time, and of his dedicated contribution – as this one shining star.
And I can’t possibly tell you, how many dark mornings I’ve woke to with no hope for humanity, where this man has left me a beautiful soulful comment, or an exchange of personal messages – and given me a new trail of light, to get me through my day.
Thank you for sharing such
Thank you for sharing such stirring and much-deserved words of appreciation for our shining star. Every word is beautiful and absolutely true.
The inadequacy of my words in
The inadequacy of my words in the presence of this poem is embarrassing to me. And though you always understand what I mean to say, even if I am not always successful in saying it, I fear that others who are less understanding or tolerant will take my remarks as either self-serving or overly obsequious.
My Ad Astra series began, and continues to exist, because of your encouragement, your humane compassion, and the example you set (as both a Human Being and a Poet) on Postpoems. You are not only one of the supreme pillars of this community, you are also a Tower of spiritual illumination to which the Alexandrian lighthouse would be only a trite metaphor. I can still remember the thrill I experienced, three years ago, when I first read Gates Of Orion, just three days before I was discharged from the hospital; and then, after that, Council Of Stars. And I realized that everything I had learned about reading Poetry (learned, of course, by a study of Poets deceased well before I approached their words) was demonstrated and exemplified by you, the supremest of Living Poets.
And, in choosing to post this poem at this time, you have brought me the answer to an unspoken prayer, at precisely the time I needed that answer. For that, I thank the Lord and I thank you.
Starward
Having no words is the
Having no words is the sincerest compliment, and I accept it with the deepest gratitude.
I feel that you deserve recognition for your valuable contribution to others, some you are probably not even aware of. Perhaps on a higher plane of existence, you'll fully appreciate the positive impact you've had on "strangers", whether it was your creative ability that gave them a moment's respite from their troubles, an insightful and uplifting comment that reassured them of their value, spiritual inspiration that reminded them of what their soul is up to in this world or acceptance of whatever life path they needed to follow.
My only concern about this poem was that, as you pointed out, mortal words would cast a pale shadow of ultimate truth.
Peace and brightest blessings.
Thank you for the reply, and,
Thank you for the reply, and, let me say again---gladly---thank you for the poem; but, moreso, thank you for your Poetry which is so essential to this site.
Starward
It was a supreme pleasure to
It was a supreme pleasure to write this. Thank you as well.