By Charles Robert Lindholm
Only
A Fool
Denies The Facts,
And Believes His Own
Opinions
read more »
July 10, 2020
ONLY A FOOL
July 10, 2020
THE BUTTERFLY YOU WERE MEANT TO BE
June 15, 2020
Why I Write
A writer of modest talent can only hope one day to put together a word or two—on a rare week, a phrase—that’s worth keeping. This is not the conceit of petty perfectionism. This is just the reality of having a mediocre vision that cannot totally grasp what floats in and out of view. It’s the curse of having an mind’s eye that comes close enough to see the possibilities dimly, but does not quite have that extra something that would make it all clear. The curse of the ‘if-only’. The torture of the dreamer who is granted a taste of a truth in the night but loses it upon wakening. The humility of Moses on the border of the promised land who may not cross over, no matter the sacrifice. And virtue is no guarantee. The world often rewards those of questionable credentials.
It’s a frustration that has to be managed—The gap between what might be glimpsed, a brief impression of something sublime and the skill that, were it a painting, only manages stick figure drawings.
So the experience is one of enduring the sense of of constant failure —even accepting it as the price— to press the cheek up against the foggy glass that keeps one just beyond the truth…. Throwing the lariat a thousand times at a stallion that prances just out of reach, hoping that one more throw will tame the beast and bring him nearer, to feel the heat and the true wild life of him. Yet still, as seems to be the way of the Plan, It is a way to learn humility, and patience and forgiveness. Nothing need be wasted, and the great wheel grinds always, and grinds exceedingly small.
That’s the job. Putting up with failure long enough to feel the hot breath of something beautiful. It is insanity. But oh, so seductive.
read more »
April 1, 2020
A Passover Limerick
Happy Holidays. To all my Christian friends – Happy Easter. And to all my Jewish friends – Happy Passover. Tonight the Jewish people celebrate their escape from slavery in Egypt. Like all Jewish holidays, Passover has holiday specific symbolic food. Matzo, unleavened bread, is the focal point of the Passover food and it takes great cooking skill to turn this edible cardboard into something palatable. But making it easier to go in does not make it easier to go out…..
read more »
March 13, 2020
Journey- A Question
March 7, 2020
FAR AWAY – BUT ALWAYS BONDED
February 22, 2020
A “Best Advice To A New Incoming College Freshman” Limerick
My Alma Mater recently asked it’s alum what would be the best advice they could give an incoming freshman student. Of course, they were asking for real, serious and valuable advice. I had some of that for them – EMBRACE THE ADVENTURE. College will be a big part of the story of your life. Make it a story that you love to tell.
read more »
February 3, 2020
Distorted Passage
I swim in
streams and rivers
instead of on land,
looking up
through ripples
seeing mere refractions
of unknowns
filtered through milky moonlight.
Down small creeks,
under
branches splitting
the sky,
dark firs waving in
the breeze like monks
chanting,
and oaks bragging of age;
rocks and crags,
shifting, rippling,
dropping dappled shards of
sunlight on
crystal, chuckling waters.
read more »
January 28, 2020
LETTING GO
January 7, 2020
Primitive
By Sharon Olds
Sharon Olds
I have heard about the civilized,
the marriages run on talk, elegant and
honest, rational. But you and I are
savages. You come in with a bag,
hold it out to me in silence.
I know Moo Shu Pork when I smell it
and understand the message: I have
pleased you greatly last night. We sit
quietly, side by side, to eat
the long pancakes dangling and spilling,
fragrant sauce dripping out,
and glance at each other askance, wordless,
the corners of our eyes clear as spear points
laid along the sill to show
a friend sits with a friend here.
January 3, 2020
Finding Home
I can’t go home, because
home has not stopped
moving yet.
But I do know that
this moment is real;
I know how your lips feel,
I know the heat and
weight of you
In the dark,
or pressed against me
at a dock, oblivious
of jealous eyes,
saying a goodbye,
wordlessly telling
me what feels right.
I know loneliness
melts
in the heat of the
grace of you.
Stay with me a while, dancer.
Let’s walk on the beach,
and look in the sands for courage,
and sit at dawn,
watching the day come up like thunder.
December 25, 2019
A JOYFUL CELEBRATION
By Charles Robert Lindholm
A
Christmas Party,
A Joyful Celebration
Shared With Friends And
Family
Copyright © 2019 Charles Robert Lindholm – The Reluctant Poet
All Rights Reserved – Please Come View My Archives!!
12.19.2019 11:40 p.m.
December 25, 2019
THE GIFT OF YOUR TIME
December 25, 2019
CHRISTMAS HAIKU: CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY – 2019 REPRISE
December 25, 2019
HAIKU: JUST ONE WISH – 2019 REPRISE
By Charles Robert Lindholm
If I Were Granted
Just One Wish, I’d Wish For You
And That’s What I Did
Copyright © 2017 Charles Robert Lindholm – All Rights Reserved
December 25, 2019
HAIKU: A CHRISTMAS SLEEP IN – REPRISE – 2019
December 25, 2019
CHRISTMAS HAIKU: A CHRISTMAS TREE’S GIFT – REPRISE – 2019
By Charles Robert Lindholm
A Pine Tree’s Sweet Smell
With Lights And Decorations
Is It’s Christmas Gift
Copyright © 2017 Charles Robert Lindholm – The Reluctant Poet
All Rights Reserved
Please come and explore the 2017 December Christmas pieces in my Archives
December 25, 2019
CHRISTMAS WISHES AND MEMORIES
December 10, 2019
ANOTHER FOOL’S LIES
By Charles Robert Lindholm
Fools
Will Believe
Another Fool’s Lies
Instead Of Searching for
Truth
Copyright © Charles Robert Lindholm – The Reluctant Poet
All Rights Reserved – Please Come View My Archives!!
December 7, 2019
DAY OF INFAMY
By Charles Robert Lindholm
Pearl
Harbor Memories
Day Of Infamy
Forever Etched Upon Our
Hearts
Copyright © 2019 Charles Robert Lindholm
All Rights Reserved – Please Come And View My Archives!!
December 2, 2019
BLACK FRIDAY CRAZY
By Charles Robert Lindholm
Black
Friday Sales
Are Absolutely Crazy
With People Dying To
Shop
Copyright © 2019 Charles Robert Lindholm
All Rights Reserved – Please Come And View My Archives!!!
November 28, 2019
I’M THANKFUL FOR YOU!
November 1, 2019
DOES PARTISAN EQUAL STUPID?
October 28, 2019
A REINCARNATION OF JUDAS
October 26, 2019
SEEKING REVENGE
October 18, 2019
NO ONE WILL WONDER
October 17, 2019
WHY DOES TIME FLY?
By Charles Robert Lindholm
Time
Runs Slowly
‘Til The Workweek’s Done
But Like A Shooting Star
Once You’re Having Fun
The Seconds
Tick By,
One By One
Measured All The Same
So Why Does Work Time
Feel So Slow
Yet Fly On By
When You’re
Having Fun
I’d Really
Like To Know
Wouldn’t You?
Copyright © 2019 Charles Robert Lindholm – The Reluctant Poet
All Rights Reserved – Please Come View My Archives!!
