The Poetryzine Magazine presents the selected poems by the American poetess Lyris D. Wallace
Illustration: AI
323 DAYS
What is this world without the sunlight,
Without the music;
The music that filled my soul with complete
abandonment?
I was free to be me
And not have to apologize.
I could hear my own voice
Trembling in laughter,
Trying to catch my breath.
When my cup was empty,
Your smile filled it with hope.
You were my hope,
My reasoning,
My voice of “ok.”
You laughed and the whole world seemed
conquerable.
I stare into today and there is no sunlight.
The raindrops are bigger,
Falling faster.
The air is harder to breathe;
It is filled with thick clouds of loneliness
And I am choking.
An hour is a day
And a day is an eternity.
The laughter is gone.
Yesterday is my place of serenity,
My joy.
I looked at the clock,
It is 10:00 p.m.
323 days since you left.
323 days without the sun,
Without my friend,
Without my brother;
323 days.
MOMENTS
Moments happen
Brief and fragile
Time moving
Time standing still
Not realizing until it’s gone
If only we could go back.
If we could capture it in our hands,
Holding it like a cherished treasure.
In a moment, we are changed
In a moment life is given and taken away
We gather our moments in our minds,
picking and choosing,
sorting and collecting,
reliving, time and again,
We, ourselves, are but moments;
A collection of moments
Defining who we are.
In a moment, we love and are loved.
And in a moment, we are memories in
Someone else’s collection.
MOTIONLESS FEET
Life,
an energy of massive proportions
fueling the earth with
movement and sound,
leading to the fulfillment of song.
A musical of instruments
reaching life’s crescendo,
crashing to the depths
of silence.
I’ve heard the melodies
of hope.
I’ve read the lyrics
of possibilities,
and I have snapped my fingers
to the rhythms of yesterday.
The songs were sweeter then,
the voices much more in harmony.
I danced to the joy of the music.
I hummed its familiar tune.
I’ve played the instruments of love
and gazed into the brightness
of sorrow.
I’ve breathed its clarity
and I’ve mourned its bitter notes.
The piano
is now out of tune.
The pitch is not quite right.
What used to be music
is now the crackling sounds
of an old phonograph,
and my feet remain
Motionless.
A BEGINNING
A look
A smile
A sweet “Hello”
A touch
A shift
A nod
A blush
A frown
A stutter
A mis-spoken word
A correction
A nervous laugh
A compliment
A flutter
Licked lips
An awkward silence
A turn
A stop
An exchange
An exit
A Beginning.
19th CENTURY CHINA
We are broken china cups
which have fallen off the shelf.
Put back together with strength and
determination,
and still we shine.
Though we have not been dusted off in
years.
In fact, we have been neglected by the hands of
those who were
supposed to cherish us the most.
We have been tucked away,
hidden behind the plain, white, porcelain platter,
on which they have placed more value.
But, in actuality,
we are 19th century Naples Capo
Di Monte’ china,
meticulously painted and trimmed in gold.
So, don’t be mad when someone else discovers
our beauty,
dusts us off, takes us from behind the plain, white,
porcelain
platter, and moves us to the center of the china
cabinet
Because that is where
we were always
meant to be.
The poem 323 DAYS captures the raw anguish of loss and the profound emptiness that follows the departure of a loved one. The imagery of sunlight, music, and laughter contrasts starkly with the darkness, rain, and silence that envelop the speaker's world after their loved one's absence. The passage of time is marked by the relentless ticking of the clock, emphasizing the prolonged agony of grief. The repetition of “323 days” throughout the poem underscores the unyielding nature of the pain, while also serving as a poignant reminder of the time that has passed since the departure. The speaker's yearning for the return of warmth, joy, and companionship is palpable, making this poem a powerful exploration of loss and longing. In contrast to the preceding poem's focus on loss, the poem Moments celebrates the fleeting yet profound nature of human experience. The poem reflects on the ephemeral nature of time, urging readers to cherish the precious moments that shape their lives. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, the speaker contemplates the transformative power of individual moments, which serve as building blocks of identity and relationships. The poem's contemplative tone invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the significance of the fleeting moments that define their existence. Ultimately, “Moments” serves as a poignant reminder to embrace the present and appreciate the beauty of life's fleeting moments. This poem Motionless feet explores the stagnation and disillusionment that can accompany the loss of passion and purpose in life. The imagery of music and dance serves as a metaphor for vitality and joy, which gradually give way to dissonance and inertia. The speaker reflects on the beauty and harmony of past experiences, lamenting the loss of vibrancy and connection. Through evocative language and introspective reflections, the poem conveys a sense of longing for the vitality and spontaneity that once infused the speaker's life. The final image of motionless feet underscores the sense of paralysis and disconnection that pervades the speaker's existence, making this poem a poignant exploration of existential malaise and the search for renewal. The poem A Beginning captures the tentative yet hopeful nature of new beginnings and the awkward beauty of human interaction. Through a series of brief vignettes, the speaker depicts the tentative steps and awkward fumblings that characterize the early stages of a relationship. The poem's spare yet evocative language captures the vulnerability and excitement of newfound connection, inviting readers to empathize with the speaker's mix of apprehension and anticipation. Despite the uncertainties and missteps depicted in the poem, there is an underlying sense of optimism and possibility, making “A Beginning” a tender exploration of the complexities of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit. Poem 19th Century China employs the metaphor of broken china cups to explore themes of resilience, self-worth, and rediscovery. Through vivid imagery and allegorical language, the speaker reflects on the enduring strength and beauty that can emerge from adversity. Despite being neglected and undervalued, the broken china cups symbolize the resilience and hidden potential within each individual. The poem's message of empowerment and self-discovery resonates as the speaker asserts the inherent worth and beauty of their own identity. By reclaiming their value and embracing their unique qualities, the speaker embodies a sense of agency and self-affirmation. Overall, “19th CENTURY CHINA” offers a powerful message of resilience, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of reclaiming one's identity.