Survival Poem by M.J. Lemon

Survival

Rating: 4.7


There was a time when contemporary
Meant slogging through the osmium of life,
With the goal survival eating ennui,
And companionship undermining strife.
Familiarity, which leaks and bleeds
The bleach of drabness, sameness, and paleness
Overwhelms gratified lightness and feeds
On the marrow of growing fickleness.
What is current is stony solitude
And proximity remains a distance
Sketched and outlined by callous attitude
Defined not in miles, but by happenstance.
Where we go we go side by side by side.
Yet a temper, a passion, will have died.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Topic(s) of this poem: friendship
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Kumarmani Mahakul 18 June 2015

What is current is stony solitude And proximity remains a distance Sketched and outlined by callous attitude Defined not in miles, but by happenstance. ......Wonderful imagery, right say. Enjoyed, thanks.

2 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 22 November 2018

Achieving the goal of survival is really very interesting. We face many challenges and achieve beauty of personality and our destination. Where we go we go side by side by side. Mutual understanding and respect run with life and time in friendship. An excellent poem is beautifully penned...10

1 0 Reply
Mj Lemon 04 March 2019

Thank you so much, Kumarmani. There is a sense or point at which survival turns into living, when there is companionship.

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Valsa George 06 February 2017

Words like 'drabness, stony solitude, ennui, sameness, paleness' all these present the mechanical side of life devoid of warmth and closeness. Amazing word selection and the total effect of the poem is stunning!

2 0 Reply
Mj Lemon 15 February 2017

Thank you so much, Valsa. And you are absolutely right. There is a big difference between just existing and truly living.

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Terry Craddock 21 January 2017

'Sketched and outlined by callous attitude Defined not in miles, but by happenstance. Where we go we go side by side by side.' yes survival can reduce us to happenstance undesireable choices, but facing adversity side by side is better than facing possibly falling alone. 'Yet a temper, a passion, will have died.' exhaustion starvation emotional toil all take their toil, regeneration can be partly or sometimes completely our choice, food for contemplation, startling word choices with massive meaning undertone overtone options, so wonderfully fresh :)

1 0 Reply
R Soos 17 November 2016

good travel poem about the road of friendship: Where we go we go side by side by side. Yet a temper, a passion, will have died. Reminds me of the movie you wrote about Sullivan's Travels - How can I be alone if you're with me?

1 0 Reply
Mj Lemon 17 November 2016

Thanks so much, Rich. Don't know how you did it, but you reminded me that the road to friendship or the road of friendship can sometimes be a lonely journey, even with people around.

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Edward Kofi Louis 04 September 2016

Osmium of life! ! Thanks for sharing.

2 0 Reply
Mj Lemon 06 September 2016

Thank you, Edward. And I'll be returning to your work.

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