Numbers—by them we’re ruled.
We count the hours, the days,
the weeks, the months, the years—
always waiting for It—
for something, or someone
who stands in our future…
At least we think they are standing there.
We see a shadow, however faint,
and we strain our eyes to see some more,
always looking—and counting… counting…
counting minutes, seconds, breaths, heartbeats—
our focus fixed far to the future,
our vision tunneled until we see
nothing but the goal that lies ahead—
that Thing that draws us like a magnet—
that Thing that draws us past
our one reality.
We live for what could be,
convinced that it will be.
One thing we don’t count on:
We are missing what Is.
Written for #OctPoWriMo. Also posted on d’Verse for Open Link Night
Copyright © 2018 Abigail Gronway – All Rights Reserved
Scansion:
Distorted Diablo
Created by Pat Simpson
This form plays with the devil’s number 666 and distorts it by flipping the middle number upside down to get the number 696.
Stanzas: 6-line, 9-line, 6-line
The syllable count matches the line count (6 syllables in the 6-line stanzas, 9 syllables in the 9-line stanzas).
Total length: 21 lines
Syllabic structure: 6-6-6-6-6-6, 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9, 6-6-6-6-6-6
Rhyme at the discretion of the poet (mine is unrhymed)
Theme: Numbers
Dark Side of the Moon 
This reminds me of Pythagorus who postulated that all the world can be defined by patterns, i.e. numbers.
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I can see that, and I side with Pythagorus.
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I like the thought that too much counting on what is coming rather detracts from enjoying what is and many times a love, or an opportunity is missed by anticipating something coming later.
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Exactly. Thank you so much, Dorianna, for these kind thoughts, and for stopping by.
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Nice description: “that Thing that draws us past
our one reality.”
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Thank you, Frank.
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This is stunningly evocative ❤ it often happens that life surprises us with its turn of events .. we are disappointed by the outcome and wonder about what could have been. It’s later that we realize that everything happens for the best. 😊
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Thank you, Sanaarizvi. And you’re right. We would feel a lot less disappointment if we faced the future with lower expectations. We need to be more childlike, filled with expectant wonder, rather than always trying to figure life out ahead of time.
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we think we know it all so well, but then as you say…the one thing we don’t count on happens.
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I was preaching to myself with this one. After all these years, you’d think I would learn. 🙂
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and me too, it was good to have someone else understand this
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Indeed… never looking where we are, but moving along.
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So hard to be present, but worth attempting. (K)
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I couldn’t agree more.
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The present is a present, indeed. Never hurts to live in child-like anticipation … but you’re right, don’t let it get in the way of appreciating the now! Thanks for your thoughtful rendition – and reminder not to over count!!
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I spoke from experience on this one. I used to spend far too much time waiting for my ship to come in. 🙂
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