TIME CHANGE
by Bryan Borland
Time has fallen backwards into morning black holes,
where even the cats are confused we’re awake.
My clock is ticking fast these days, these neurons
misfiring with age and bursting memories,
like standing with my brother in front of the fireplace,
the warmth of it against the back
of my bare legs before school. Daylight savings
brought with it boxes of us together, things
I even forget to dream,
so that when I wake up, and it’s still dark,
I pretend his arm is around me
like in a photograph of us, circa 1982.
© Bryan Borland
Bryan
it is absolutely beautiful and moving, i love those “tribute” or memory poems which reflect so much of the present and the growth one undertook at the same time.
i have received your book. so thrilled to hold it in my hands. it is better beyond my imagination to feel, to read and feel.
and this one, as if falling in between its pages – fits greatly.
I’m happy it arrived so quickly! Thank you for the comment and, of course, for your support and friendship.
Incredible. Photographs strike me blind with memories sometimes. A picture falls out of a stack of mail and instantly I’m hit-in-the-stomach paralyzed by all that picture encompasses.
Bryan, very lovely. My sons used to grab a quilt and sleep on the heat vents after they were dressed for school. Thanks for bringing that back to me.
I wonder, in these days of digital everything, how this generation will put their souvenirs, photos, memories, etc. into boxes.
My best friend died many years ago and I still cry when I see her beautiful and distinctive handwriting on the envelopes in that Keds shoebox.
I hope you keep handwritten copies of all your poems.
Pearl
P.S. I went to Lulu and ordered your book a few days ago — can’t wait.
Great memory of your sons, Pearl. Thank you for sharing it with us. Sounds like there could be a poem within it.
I’ve wondered the same about “digital everything” – jpegs and gifs just aren’t the same as old polaroids!
I’m happy you have your friend’s writing to remember her. I have some poems handwritten, but mostly I just type these days. You make me want to go back to the old way of a pen and a journal. And I just might.
I can’t thank you enough for ordering my book. Each time someone purchases it… I’m humbled.
i like the last four lines of this poem…circa 1982
Thanks Anniee! The early 80′s adore you, too.
Poet Bryan, if your brother could make you hear him, he would tell you he loves this.
HUGS
I like the thought of that, Val.
and you say I read your mind…
Ditto, Chef.
We’re a mutual mind reading society here, right?
Are you calling me Baby, Baby?
…for there is nothing better than this, to be held, and to be part of what holds, and to be together, even if only in memory…
…this, the only meaning worth making…
Poetman
Your comments always give me goosebumps. Thank you Poetman. I believe in what you’ve written.
The pic adds a new, deeper dimension. Wow.
I get what you were saying in the earlier comment. And what about what Pearl says in her comment – do you think digital photos pack the same wallop? I know the one you’re looking at with this poem is digital… but I’ve got the original here beside me. Isn’t there something special about holding a real photo in your hands?
Yes. Tangible items are the most intense because they seem more real and they can pop up out of nowhere. With digital images, you can be surprised, I suppose, but there are thumbnails to give you a heads up. Like many electronic sources, digital photos seem farther removed from the drama of reality.
I love the poem and the picture just adds so much to it.
Thanks Jade. I need to go visit your site and write some food-inspired poetry! (though my friend Chef E has the trademark on that!) Oh – and Jade – meet Chef E. Chef E, meet Jade. Click on each other’s names to adore each other’s foodie-ness.
He loves this too Bryan and so do I HUGS…you were both adorable kids!
Thank you, Val. Am I still adorable?
Man, powerful stuff. I first read this on my Google Reader and then clicked to comment. The first thing I saw was the picture, and it dramatically increased the sensation I felt from when I first read it with no visual. I especially love the reference to the black hole… my sentiments exactly.
I’m glad I posted the picture… almost didn’t. I saw this photo for the first time on Sunday. Thanks for the comment, Tel.
ah time–a strange human construct if there ever was one–the cats know this is true.
I have memories of such photos in my mind of my son and daughter. Such are the BEST.
I think the cats just think we’re crazy!
You’re right about the best memories.
Cats think everyone is ‘crazy’ except CATS–unless you are an honorary CAT.
Sad and beautiful. I love the first stanza, it made me laugh. Cute pic.
Our cats are divas.
Of course you are Bryan, just get over that hair fixation okay Leo?
You have soulful eyes, boyish charm and a big heart, a winning combination honey.
Dude why you want me to cry! Love this
You don’t cry, Carty! Please. I know better than that. I’m sure there was an onion around or something.
“Time has fallen backwards into morning black holes,
where even the cats are confused we’re awake.”
Love it, especially the “morning black holes”.
I liked how you harmonized “real” time (“daylight savings”, “1982″) with the other ways we humans chart time: photos and emotions.
Rachel,
Love the harmony you pointed out with the photos and emotions as marks of time… I didn’t even realize that… but maybe I should say I did? Thanks for the comment!
Bryan
My cats have adjusted. They think feeding time is whenever I get up.
The poem has it all: poignancy, sweetness and longing, and the ability to conjure memory into dream – and dream into memory. I feel the presence of a alternate universe where the reality of the photo still lives on.
Meow
Roar.
HISS!
i somehow surfed in here, not sure how, but glad I came. your style is refreshing. i like the economy, purposeful breaks, subtlety. quite lovely.
I’m so happy you accidentally ended up here, because, not only do I appreciate your comment, but I love your blog!
Thanks! There’s a lot of poetry in blogland and I used to run poetry events for a living, so i’m sadly cynical and hard to please. I have to be surprised by a poem (both writing and reading it) for it to satisfy.
I’ll be back!
Double wow
Thank you, Mr. Sharp. Double appreciation to you.
Lovely, Bryan. The poem that is; although you may well be lovely too. lol
That was, quite simply put, BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing this lovely memory!
Katherine,
Thank you for visiting and for the comment. It means a lot to me, especially with this poem.
Bryan
Your poems really choke me up. The first two lines have a darker Alice in Wonderland feel to them. Good one Bryan.
Thanks so much, Gabrielle. Love the Alice comparison.
Bryan,
everything you’ve written of late has almost made me cry. Your poems have been so emotionally strong and poetically evocative that I’m lost for words.
And that’s a compliment.
JL.
Awww…that is sweet!
And it still seems too early to be here.
Great opening lines!
Be good now, and stay care-free. UT
Exquisite. You seem to be plucking the heartstrings with a vengeance and an innocence these days. So smoothly done as to seem totally unconstructed and beautifully crafted all at the same time.
Love it!
You just WANT me to give you a bearhug this weekend, huh?
[...] a comment » I’ve not posted a new poem since the Ides of March, when I shared Time Change with you. Two weeks without a poem is an eternity, but with my work and travel schedule (New [...]