Free Verse Poem

Tear It Down
Jack Gilbert

We find out the heart only by dismantling what
the heart knows. By redefining the morning,
we find a morning that comes just after darkness.
We can break through marriage into marriage.
By insisting on love we spoil it, get beyond
affection and wade mouth-deep into love.
We must unlearn the constellations to see the stars.
But going back toward childhood will not help.
The village is not better than Pittsburgh.
Only Pittsburgh is more than Pittsburgh.
Rome is better than Rome in the same way the sound
of raccoon tongues licking the inside walls
of the garbage tub is more than the stir
of them in the muck of the garbage. Love is not
enough. We die and are put into the earth forever.
We should insist while there is still time. We must
eat through the wildness of her sweet body already
in our bed to reach the body within that body. 

Shadow · Benjamin Moore 2117-30

She stood there, staring

At the bitter rope she

Clutched with both her

Hands.

She kept telling herself

It was going to be fine

She shunned when she

Should have shone.

But in her mind

She was only a

Shadow.

The red light indicates

She must start talking

To the video camera.

She starts by apologizing;

Saying sorry to everyone

She can think of.

“I’m sorry Dad, I didn’t

meet your expectations”

A heavy tear rolls down

Her cheek

And she sobs.

“I’m sorry Mom, I’m not

strong enough”

And she sobs.

To the girls with short skirts

Tight shirts and

Push up bras

She apologized

For not being

Pretty enough

For them.

To her only friend

She apologized

For never speaking up

For following the rest

For changing

Her essence.

To her math teacher

She apologized

For not understanding

And lowering her grade

For being distracted

For over thinking

Her own death

She apologized to

Everyone

And

Everyone

Forgave her

Except for one person

Herself.

The rope was hanging

From the ceiling

Waiting

Calling her

Luring her in.

No more pain

No more sleepless nights

No more pressure

No more shame

It said.

She wondered

What’s beyond

The sky?

Will she see the

Light

When she’s in

The shadows?

The red light

Was turned off

And she knew

It was the time

To be free.

She looked up and called His name

Once.

And she flew

Far away

Away from the darkness

From the shadows

Where I am From.

bearfoot. that's how I roll.

I am from cholados, mamonas, and lechonas.

(must-eat in my small town)

From the freshly made orange juice in the break of dawn.

I am from the biggest tree in the world 

and red roses on Valentine's Day.

I am from horseback riding in the midst of twilight

And jumping in the pool when everyone’s asleep.

I am from the road between Bogotá and Villavicencio,

Pony Malta, Postobón, and Juan Valdes

From ayude a bajar el mercado and no pelee con su hermana.

I am from the suitcase full of Christmas gifts

And Avianca tickets to only one destiny.

From los 40 Principales, la Mega, and a Kia Sportage.

I am from hammocks and a good book on a Sunday afternoon.

From Dad’s deep talks and guiding words.

I am from Jesus and my caring angel, my grandpa.

From Mom’s strength and unfailing faith.

 I am from Villavicencio and Menegua, arepas, caldito y chocolate.

From my Dad’s Sunday morning breakfast.

I am from the day after a good parrando llanero

(the best parties I've ever been to)

When everything is quiet because everyone’s asleep.

I am from bonfires and horror stories underneath the warm branches of my tree.

From the most beautiful sunsets in the world,
To the endless starred skies
And the best memories in the most remote place on earth

I am from digital picture frames

Telling our lives, 3 seconds 

at a time.

I am from pictures where there's too many people

and someone usually gets cut off. 

I am from tight hugs and longing eyes

I am from crying when I say good-bye

And promising my return

Because I can never wait 

For the time when I'll be back

To where 

I belong. 

I love to dance with my horse!!!! don't deny it... you loved it!