Over the years Poem by Hanny Michaelis

Over the years

Rating: 5.0


Over the years
a great deal has to be thrown out.
The notion, for instance,
that happiness is mild and enduring,
something like a southern climate
instead of a bolt of lightning
that leaves scars
cherished a lifetime.

Translation: 2009, Judith Wilkinson

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Edward Kofi Louis 17 September 2017

Notion! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

1 9 Reply
Bernard F. Asuncion 17 September 2017

Such a great poem of yesteryears.......

0 6 Reply
Lantz Pierre 17 September 2017

I'm quite taken by her simile. It wouldn't have worked as metaphor, I think, it needs the gentleness and generosity of being served with a napkin and dessert fork. Lightning straight out would have been °too° violent for the intended effect. Though I disagree with her opening. Not every childhood leads to an mild and enduring characterization of happiness. Some learn the lesson far too early and are always looking to cover themselves in those scars thereafter.

2 0 Reply
Nudershada Cabanes 17 September 2017

Over the years a great deal has to be thrown out. Yes I agree some things not worth keeping has to be thrown out.

2 0 Reply
Jayatissa K. Liyanage 17 September 2017

Nothingness and non-permanency are the only permanent things. Thanks for sharing.

2 0 Reply
Geeta Radhakrishna Menon 17 September 2017

Little poem that says much!

0 1 Reply
Mario, Lucien, Rene Odekerken 17 September 2017

Beautiful written poem Mario Odekerken

0 1 Reply
Mario, Lucien, Rene Odekerken 17 September 2017

Beautiful poem Mario Odekerken

2 2 Reply
Fer Basbas 17 September 2017

what is happiness then? is it like a passing fad a breath, a puff, a dewdrop? the longer i live the lesser i know; time rewards us with memories and chance.

3 1 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 17 September 2017

Wow.. what a beautiful poem! The nicely written lines I enjoyed are something like a southern climate instead of a bolt of lightning that leaves scars cherished a lifetime Thanks poet.10

3 0 Reply
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