Zenith
To Martin in Memorium
There was a moment when you seemed to reach perfection.
When expression, word, gesture, touch, look, understanding,
demeanor and desire coalesced, creating for your friends,
an envelope of hope.
Such wholeness can’t endure.
Nor could we witness, or preserve its force
with meagre words.
But even though the moment, like you,
has passed beyond most minds' recall,
One friend at least remembers when
Your presence altered space, slowed time,
bent sunbeams, so we moved in light.
©James Rainsford 2011
There was a moment when you seemed to reach perfection.
When expression, word, gesture, touch, look, understanding,
demeanor and desire coalesced, creating for your friends,
an envelope of hope.
Such wholeness can’t endure.
Nor could we witness, or preserve its force
with meagre words.
But even though the moment, like you,
has passed beyond most minds' recall,
One friend at least remembers when
Your presence altered space, slowed time,
bent sunbeams, so we moved in light.
©James Rainsford 2011
Note to readers: This was written in tribute to a very special friend, who was intensely charismatic and who, like many brilliant stars, burned too brightly to survive.
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Posted to One Shot Wednesday on 31st May.
Very beautiful, James-- elegaic and pure-- I loved these lines: Such wholeness can’t endure.
ReplyDeleteNor could we witness, or preserve its force
with meagre words.
xxxj
beautiful tribute !
ReplyDeletea more than fitting tribute, he sounds a dear friend and i am sorry for your loss...keep those memories warm...
ReplyDelete"Your presence altered space, slowed time,
ReplyDeletebent sunbeams, so we moved in light."
Great conclusion! A superb description of a fallen star. Martin was lucky to know such a friend. :D
I don't know why those whom the world most needs seem to stay in it the shortest time, (and vice versa sometimes)but it is a truism.You express well that sense of loss when the gift is gone, as well as the gratitude it brought to receive it. Esp liked the opening lines, so perfect in cadence, and the bittersweet conclusion.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your friend, just beautiful James. I wonder if he truly knew the high esteem his friends held him in...
ReplyDeleteYour presence altered space, slowed time,
ReplyDeletebent sunbeams, so we moved in light.
Those lines brought tears to my eyes...
Yes those last lines really rang true
ReplyDeleteThe words were deep written by you
Sorry to hear about your friend
But a great tribute you wrote to his life and end
Oh! This made my eyes sting. We have, or witness, these moments don't we? And while it's true they don't endure, the memory sometimes does. What a really marvelously felt and written piece, James.
ReplyDeletefirst i must say how much I love the photo - those orange rays of light and the texture of the bricks is really beautiful. Your words touched a deep chord within my heart. I can't remember when last I read something as profound about loss as those last three lines.
ReplyDeleteI like the "envelope of hope" image. May your friend rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to someone you held dear to your heart.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me very much of the Song 'Vincent' by Don Mclean: 'This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you'
I'm sure at seeing you share these beautifully fitting and, flowing words, your friend is smiling.
Wonderful writing, beautiful (a word I rarely use, as it's overused) - but in this case, the word fits.
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous tribute! I am sure he up there reading your words and smiling sunbeams...
ReplyDeleteYour final words sum up just what an amazing person this friend was. I can only hope that one day I will be able to touch the life of someone in such a manner, so that perhaps, a wordsmith as talented as yourself might lay such praise upon me. Always so glad I stopped by! Beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteJames this is a beautiful tribute
ReplyDeletethe picture is perfect and words full
hugs
wise words..
ReplyDeleteperfectly fine tuned piece.
Happy Potluck!
This is stunning James, I loved it! Very touching
ReplyDeleteTo be remembered so fondly... we should all enjoy the blessings of such friendship. Wonderfully expressed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful sir. As you mentioned in your note, he was too bright to be on Earth. Such people come rarely and the Gods loves them so much that they can't bear to have them separated for long. Good thing is that like many stars, we get to see your friend still. :)
ReplyDelete