I Didn’t See You There, poem by Jan Sargeant at Spillwords.com

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I Didn’t See You There

Jan Sargeant·September 24, 2022

Poetry English Featured Post

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I didn’t see you there

written by: Jan Sargeant

Hello, old friend,
I didn’t see you there
grey faced uncertain edges
at the corners of a mind
rounded by blurred optimism,
vague shapes indistinct
from what might be true
and what might not
will we know the difference,
would we care?

Hello old friend,
do you share
the invisibility of indecision,
do you fear the lie
hear it cry and then wonder why
it’s plucking at your temples
like a pizzicato string

Will you walk with me through shadows,
or take my hand and lead,
will you guide me to safety
or stand and watch me bleed

I didn’t see you this time
I didn’t see you coming
but I see through your disguise
I see the way you look at me,
and hate the pity in your eyes
grey faced blurs in discriminate skies
the pallid pastels of meaningless whys

Don’t hide in the shadows
of the past or the now,
don’t cloak yourself in darkness
of a future that might never be
don’t huddle in the corners,
stand up and let me see

Hello, old friend,
I didn’t see you there….

About
Latest Posts

Jan Sargeant

SEPTEMBER 2022 AUTHOR OF THE MONTH at Spillwords.com

Jan Sargeant has written for many years but only since retirement in 2016 has she had the time and opportunity to write poetry and novels rather than academic papers. “Still dancing,” an anthology of her poetry, was published three months ago with all profits going to Parkinson’s research. Her first novel, “Alan’s Lesswilling Chronicles” is a comedy, published in August 2023. She is working on the next part of this series but says she is sidetracked by the poetry she feels compelled to write. She lives in a conservation village with a lake near the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with her husband, three cats and Banksy, their small dog.

Lou Storey

A textbook example of nominative determinism, Lou Storey has always been a storyteller, a fact well illustrated in his art and in his writing. His careers have reflected that as well, first as a creator of idea-based exhibitions for museums, and later as a psychotherapist employing narrative therapies. His art and his writing share qualities of rich texture and detail, examining our capacity to be absurd while allowing a measure of forgiveness for our foibles. Storey and his husband Steve retired in 2021 and moved from New Jersey to Savannah Georgia. “We love everything about Savannah, it is like a city that looks like a park and thinks it’s a small town. Best of all, we can grow bananas in the backyard!”

Treats Only, Please! by Lauren Scott

Creepy cackles from tall, looming trees
startle their jumpy heartbeats as they walk.
Shadows discreetly follow the echoes
while they timidly proceed down the block.

Young voices repeat with conviction,
“It’s just a night for entertainment.”
There’s no need for goosebumps and fear
as their eyes focus on the cracked pavement.

Undeniably sensing they’re not alone,
many follow in their hesitant footsteps,
eager to reach doors and push doorbells
but afraid of frightening special effects....

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