TRUE
Lo! My heart and hands ached for you every day in your absence until my heart… just… died.
I plunged my aching hands into a hollow cavity where a heart used to be, expecting the numbing cold of the void, but in a tumult of seething anguish I birthed a sun.
So(u)l exploded into existence like a single rose blooms in a desolate waste.
A welcome death, and a prelude to greater life.
Is this:
Blessing or curse,
Hell or Heaven,
Light or Dark,
Pain or Pleasure,
Joy or Sorrow,
Anguish or Ecstasy?
I still do not know.
I just know it is true.
***** * *****
MINNOWS’ CREEK
Minnows in the shallow water, basking in the sun. When the light is full, they huddle together and swim on top of each other, hoarding, cavorting. When the shadow of my hand creeps over them they move in unison, away from the shadow, to stay in the light together; but when a cloud moves over the sun, and there is no light toward which they might turn, they scatter into smaller groups or go off alone.
***** * *****
Uncle Iroh
The most noble
Manifestation
Of fire
Is the hearth.
***** * *****
‘Round the Drain
You can step over my body
But you can’t replace my mind.
Tis of no value or virtue, you think,
As you swirl
‘Round
--------------------->The
-------------------------------------------------->Drain
In the behavioral sink;
But I swam against the current so long
That my mind is sharp, my body strong.
<>
I’ll wave to you from the edge
And renew my solemn pledge
To teach the lessons I master
In hope to avoid the next disaster.
***** * *****
But Why?
How can all these things be worth loving but not worth living for?
How can we remain trapped in a room with an open door?
How can the things we most love lead to such bitter despair?
How can we lose
And forever punish
Those who would choose
To fulfill our one wish,
To demonstrate they really care?
<>
Though it is true
That those who
Hath the how
Hath no need of the why
It’s also cheap
To forever steep
The sacred Tao
In a motherfucking lie.
***** * *****
You Lied
In casual conversation
With a man walking by,
I died. I died. I died.
I died and I don’t know why.
<>
I keep trying
To understand
But the broken
Part of me
<>
Falls
<>
Falls
<>
Falls
<>
The broken part of me falls
And I don’t know why.
<>
Like an unnamable secret
Hidden in plain sight,
You lied. You lied. You lied.
You lied and I don’t know why.
<>
I don’t know why.
***** * *****
The Change
There’s a secret pain
I will take to the grave.
I made peace with it
But it haunts me
And I hate my self
And I become
Some One Else
And no one sees
The change,
The change.
I will take to my grave—
The change,
The change.
<>
I will take to my grave the change.
About the Creator
C. Rommial Butler
C. Rommial Butler is a writer, musician and philosopher from Indianapolis, IN. His works can be found online through multiple streaming services and booksellers.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (6)
Your writing is excellent. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed.
I caught myself standing at the edge of my life in a dream this morning, staring down into an unnamable void. This reached the bottom of it. Great story, and I needed that!
I couldn't quite follow everything - there was just so much depth but the parts that I did get I absoLOVED.
Oooo, loved this collection! My favourites were True, Minnow'e Creek, But Why, You Lied and The Change!
CRB - Certainly a ‘Change’ for you - — I always look forward to what you have for us next — JBK
Wow! I am literally speechless. You said so much here. You put your heart and soul, your emotions on display for all to see. You took a chance and let your vulnerability out. I can respect you for that. Excellent work as always!!!