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flashback

what once was

By River JoyPublished about a year ago ā€¢ Updated 9 months ago ā€¢ 1 min read
13

what was once beautiful

needed

now tugs at the sad ends of nostalgia

the parts left behind on purpose

a time machine

admitting life is too large

for what once was comfort

is now a reminder

of someone who is now a stranger

admitting the language of love

and the love for things

can be seasonal

and beautiful things

can remind you of pain

that joy and pain

are so similar

when dealing with the past

memories making them indistinguishable

yes it is over

yes it was comfort

when a song does not

feel like a soft landing

but a flash back

to the deafening

pounding blood

in your veins

beneath your paper skin

it reminds you

even familiar places

can look like nightmares

when it's your own demons

coming out to play

we were not warned

that this benign night

would bring me back here

but you reminded me

we are not back here

i am not back here

my body just thinks we are

so instead i find comfort

your words bringing me

back down, back to you

away from what once

was what i held up as

beautiful

Thank you,

sad poetry
13

About the Creator

River Joy

I make things with paint and words and light. I was once described as an asshole with Mr. Rogers vibes.

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Outstanding

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

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    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

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    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (10)

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  • Celia in Underland4 months ago

    So beautifully done, and relatable as well. Music really is intertwied with memory and emotion.

  • Judey Kalchik 4 months ago

    Last week I went to a Train concert with my husband. Together we heard some of the songs that held me together over 20 years ago when my first marriage of 24 years fell apart. Together we cleansed those songs and the memory turned more sweet than bitter.

  • Rene Peters4 months ago

    The emotion in this is so strong. Your writing is incredible.

  • Jay Kantor12 months ago

    Ms. River ~ I enjoy your unique imagination.*I will be following you. And, although we may be from entirely different generations and 'Styles' of writing. I so respect the way you take the time to 'Present' your gorgeous offerings. Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, Cal 'Senior' Vocal Author

  • Shane Dobbieabout a year ago

    Some great imagery here. Feels like it needs punctuation though to control the beats, or rhythm, or cadence, or whatever the word is for poetry.

  • Aphoticabout a year ago

    Beautiful, beautiful.

  • Dana Stewartabout a year ago

    Layers of emotions, River. Good work.

  • āœØšŸ’–

  • The Invisible Writerabout a year ago

    This was a very deep poem. There was so much in this. When a song does not feel like a soft landing was my favorite part

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