avatarJ.D. Harms

Summary

The poem "Revitalized" reflects on the struggle to find inspiration and the desire for change amidst the monotony of life.

Abstract

In "Revitalized," the poet conveys the difficulty of rekindling creativity and the yearning for subtle yet meaningful changes in life. The poem begins with a physical action, rubbing hands for warmth, symbolizing an attempt to reignite passion or productivity. However, the eyes, representing the poet's perspective, seek new experiences without succumbing to the intensity of the unfamiliar. The poet admits to feeling lost and unanchored, drifting without purpose, and acknowledges the inability of distractions like alcohol to provide solace. The narrative progresses to the poet's departure from a stifling situation, moving towards an uncertain future filled with remnants of the past. The poem describes an ambush by heightened sensitivity, turning the familiar world into a wilderness. Despite the desire for guidance and direction, the poet is left with the burden of change, which must come from within.

Opinions

  • The poet expresses a need for revitalization, not just physically but also creatively and emotionally.
  • There is a sense of ennui and dissatisfaction with the current state, a longing for transformation without knowing the exact path forward.
  • The poem suggests that external solutions like alcohol are ineffective in addressing internal turmoil or creative blocks.
  • The poet feels overwhelmed by the world's intensity and seeks a balance between the familiar and the new.
  • There is an acknowledgment of the internal struggle and the responsibility one bears in initiating personal change.
  • The mirror's gaze symbolizes self-reflection and the search for direction or purpose in life.
  • The poem conveys a sense of urgency to leave behind what is stale and embrace change, despite the challenges it presents.

Revitalized

A Poem

Photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash

After about twenty seconds of solid rubbing, twisting my hands are warm enough to be brought to work again

But it’s hard to revitalize the eyes, they want so much in the way of the same but with subtler alterations

Yeah, they’d like to be featured but they don’t want to burn at the sight of the sun or any one thing

Another twenty seconds go by, and I didn’t write anything, don’t even know which doors to knock on right now

I feel unleashed, but not in the good way; just hanging just drifting and calling out names of random beers

I can’t even drink this away not that I was gonna… Well, I might have thought that way, once or twice

But I had to leave your grip get on with the marching towards another stale camp site full of yesterday’s weeds

Ambushed by a sensitivity that makes a wilderness out of this pseudo-civilazation and all the curses got let out

Another interval, 20 seconds fingers somewhat warmer now but lacking ideas for what to put down next

An absent crack from the basement and I recoiled in the gaze from the mirror, hoping for direction, a plateful to take me up

After all, I won’t be able to leave anything as it stands but the change has to come with and that’s a burden too

J.D. Harms 2020

Poetry
Image
Pain
Musing
Writing
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