βTo care for what we areβ
Together we pushed through
Together we got into respite
My work published alongside others
My family being small bothers
The pride my family feels for me
Maybe its something ingrained
Maybe its just what i know
The weight of forgiveness
Is a weight like that is all-encompass
That i bring to those that cry
God doesnt hate for loving
For others, and refusal to grow
Together we bring into the air
Our glasses make a βch-ctβ
To bring together who we are
We all have had our troubles
Our trials, our tribulations
Together we put down roots
//yes this poetry format was ripped from the final chapter, sue me im a sentimental guy. Thanks Hauntie
I donβt mean to sound self-important, Lilly, but I had a feeling that our local poet would be sending us something again soon. Though, Iβll admit, it does stroke my ego that I was right.
Oh! I believe that this is the lengthiest one weβve received so far, if Iβm not mistaken. Letβs have a read, shall we?
Ahh. Have I mentioned that I love form, Lilly? Itβs perhaps one of my favorite parts about poetry. It can do such incredible things, divvying up the words of a poem just so. And the form in this poem is no exception.
Some of the stanzas have multiple lines that start with the phrase βtogether weβ or simply βtogetherβ, and then some of the stanzas do not follow this repetition. However, when we come back to another βtogetherβ stanza, it feels very much like we the audience are returning once again to a singular moment in time with a particular group of people, reminding ourselves of how far weβve come. A singular moment where weβre making promises for the future with all of those with whom weβre sharing this togetherness. And therefore, all of the other not-βtogetherβ stanzas feel like a reflection of something in the past that weβre remembering before we eventually come back to togetherness again. It gives both a nostalgic feeling for the journey as well as a hopeful feeling for the future. Very well-crafted.
Each of the stanzas that regard something from the past are... Strangely relatable for me. As a person whoβs just had my work published for the first time, and as a person whoβs been anxious over the finality of it all, I... Hm. I definitely feel camaraderie with this speaker. I feel similarly about the speakerβs awe of the recent growth of their family, the pact that theyβve made with their loved ones to be each otherβs support systems--
Itβs, um, sort of staggering, Lilly. It feels very much like someone has been silently peeping through the window of my life.
But, I suppose thatβs a bit dramatic. The feelings that Iβve felt recently are absolutely universal feelings. Thereβs no reason to believe that this speaker knows every detail of my life just because they happened to have a few experiences that were coincidentally similar to mine.
Quite a few experiences that were...
I do like the similes in the fifth stanza which describe the βweight of forgivenessβ to be entirely unlike the weight that the Titan Atlas must bear, entirely unlike a burden or a punishment. Instead, forgiveness and βmercyβ are described as a sort of gift that the speaker can bring to soothe another person. While forgiveness certainly can be exhausting and painful, the speaker clearly prioritizes the harmony that forgiveness can bring, which says a lot about the kind of person that they are. This, I feel like I also relate to, as I...
Actually, it feels like it perfectly suits the situation between...
No, Lilly, I donβt believe this speaker has been spying on me; thatβs absolutely ridiculous. Letβs move on.
The sixth stanza, for once, is not something that I myself have needed to conquer, as Iβve not grown up with a religious background. I enjoy the sentiment, still, as it has a profound respect for the need for growth and change, despite how difficult growth and change can be. In fact, this reminds me of something that Daniel said to Arthur and I recently, when--
Okay, Lilly, I think Iβm finished with poetry for tonight. Letβs wrap up here, alright?
And, for no reason in particular, I think Iβm just going to close the blinds quickly, give me a moment...
