avatarBradley J Nordell

Summary

"An Atom Struck by Love" is a poem that reflects on the essence of life and the desire for a pure, uncomplicated existence deeply connected with nature.

Abstract

The poem "An Atom Struck by Love" delves into the yearning for simplicity and authenticity in life. It paints a vivid picture of the poet's aspiration to be as natural and unburdened as the elements of nature, from floating like a cloud to being as essential as predator and prey. The author longs to be free from societal constructs like tax brackets and phone bills, seeking instead the timeless beauty of grass swaying and the pure joy of a stubbed toe or an orgasm. The poem emphasizes the search for a profound connection with the universe, equating it to the interconnectedness of mycelium, and the perpetual state of love and flux that is energy and matter. It concludes with a hopeful note, embracing the beauty of life and the joy of existence.

Opinions

  • The poet expresses a desire to return to the basics of existence, unencumbered by the complexities of modern life.
  • There is a clear appreciation for the natural world, with the poet drawing numerous comparisons between human emotions and natural phenomena.
  • The poem conveys a sense of dissatisfaction with contemporary societal norms, particularly those related to economic obligations.
  • The author seems to be in pursuit of a deeper, more meaningful understanding of life, beyond the superficial distractions of the world.
  • A sense of wonder and curiosity is celebrated, reminiscent of a child's perspective on the world.
  • The poem suggests that true happiness lies in the experience of the present moment and the sensory experiences that connect us to the world.
  • There is an underlying belief in the interconnectedness of all things, a concept reflected in the repeated references to natural cycles and systems.

An Atom Struck by Love

A poem about seeking those deeper things in existence

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Like an atom struck by love, I want to float A cloud in the sky A dragonfly upon the cattails A falling leaf in fall I want everything to be simple Moss growing on a rock A mountain sleeping at dawn Cracked and weathered ice Forming across Walden’s pond I want to be timeless Grass swaying, not a timepiece In its phylogenetic pockets I want to be essential Predator and prey Building and foraging for food Like the orangutan’s swinging glee Limb to limb, playing in the daylight Without a single thought to tax brackets And phone bills to pay. I want pure meaning A thunderstorm crackling A moth metamorphosing An electron spinning In an atom struck by light I want to be just the code In our double helix staring into the eyes of a tiger Just awoken from a slumber I want to have no name The feeling of a stubbed toe The sweet nectar of sugar upon a tongue Or an orgasm in the luxurious night I want to be a synesthesia’s dream Whispered to by mermaids of the sensual sea Cackled by the crow waiting nearby I want to be bound only by irrational numbers The fractal tree of a mind Pondering itself by the Twilight of its existential ending I want to be lost A rock kicked into a stream A flowing current across the great seas I want to be loved A puppy chasing its tail in a new home A cat purring in the midday sun I want to be curious again A child upon the shore Finding the prettiest seashell to adore I want to be hopeful To be accepted To be wanted and tender and rendered Numb by the joy of being alive Like the song of a house finch The stellar jay’s headpiece and song Loving sonnets to the warm And the tender garden of life in full bloom I want to be mycelium connected to all I want to be energy and matter Constantly in flux Perpetually in love With the binding Of eternity to the abyss With the void to the cradle As mother sings us awake In the morning of a new day.

© Bradley J Nordell 2021

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Poetry
Earth
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Hope
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