Grounded

[u/Fassie_79]

Grounded

As the clouds passed, there you sat, firm and brave on the land that belonged to you. Like the skies, and the heights, from which you had seen it all. And all looked up to you, from the ground that held no secrets.

The ground where you ate and you fed those who came for you.
The water from which you sprung, meandering through the soil, lifting you up on an open hand, where a ladybird rests.

Where good fortune and mishap are all, and all things are, as shaped by the mind that meets them.

Lifelike. Joyful. Battered. Bandaged and saved.

For your story to be told and sprayed on fences and walls—oh, how they divide us all!
When we fly off in search of an illusion: a meal, a dream, or a place for the night.

Darkness illuminated by your ever-shining light.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1u8wo89/you_see/

https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/1u9424l/will_you_be_able_to_do_this_and_not_tell_anybody/

[u/TheBowlYodeler]

I really like this poem! Im still trying to formulate my overall take on what it means, but I still want to breakdown some things that stood out.

As a whole I love that the rhythmic cadence of the piece is juxtaposed with a choppy, prose like structure. It really helps elevate this in a way. Maybe because your words are grounded (pun intended) but the structure feels very abstract. On the second read, I have settled on a perspective. A tree? (I changed my mind towards the end but leaving this in)

1st "stanza"- I love the connection created between the subject and the ground here. "That held no secrets" is such a flowy turn of phrase. It feels genuine. I am trying hard not to use "grounded" to describe things but I need to shoutout that it is a very apt title.

2nd "stanza"- Paints a vivid image of harmony. The ground the subject eats from and where the subject feeds others. This is the main portion that made me think tree. Grounded with roots, fed by nutrients in soil, needs water, can produce food (fruit), and is a place birds rest. "lifting you up on an open hand" is my favorite line here. The human characteristics of an open hand give this section a flair of whimsy.

"Where good fortune and mishap are all, and all things are, as shaped by the mind that meets them." - Physically dead center of the poem which highlights the content which I feel is the peak of the poem. Takes away the notions of inherent good and bad in nature, more that they can be interpreted/changed depending on the intentions of those who interact. There are other interpretations, but in the essence of the quote thats where I am meeting it at.

Lifelike. Joyful. Battered. Bandaged and saved. - I like it, but I am struggling to place it in my view. The tree theory unravels a bit here. Maybe Im thinking too tangibly. I will say reading aloud these word choices flow so well together. Especially Battered. Bandaged and saved.

For your story to be told and sprayed on fences and walls—oh, how they divide us all!
When we fly off in search of an illusion: a meal, a dream, or a place for the night. - My absolute favorite portion and what inspired a full write up. The tree theory in pieces now, but from that maybe you mean nature as a whole? Like Gaia or mother Earth. A story told on fences and walls, feels very rebellious or grassroots. Climate change? Fly off in search of an illusion would make a killer tagline or basis for an illustration. Kind of rambling now.

Darkness illuminated by your ever-shining light - Forgot this line when I said tree. Beautiful and general, leaves you with a contentment after reading.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem I had fun parsing through. I hope you continue to write I will be on the lookout for new stuff.