Bright eyes beamed back in the mirror,
A pink smile bloomed in anticipation,
Betraying only the faintest of quivers
Of the lurking shadows in the reflection.
.
The past demons raised their fiery heads,
A franctic war ensued to douse the flames,
The smoking memories prickled the eyes
As a reminder of the ugliness to be tamed.
.
Anguished tremors took over reality,
A feeling that threatened to smother,
But the shivers will stop; you aren’t alone
With your one hand clasping the other.
.
A spark at the end of the long tunnel
Will light the way for a second innings,
The embers still flicker with past fires
But now, only to ignite new beginnings.
At dVerse, Mary has introduced the lovely ‘phoetry’ of Totomai Martinez where we are using his photography as an inspiration for our poems. The curve of her smile and the intense look of her eyes has guided my words.
An Armchair Perfectionist 
Splendid opposing visuals that keep this nicely balanced. Well written!
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Thank you!
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at the end of the day, there is still hope for a new beginning
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Always! Thank you for providing a wonderful muse…
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It is always good to know that there is still a second innings left to play, to live.
The past with its demons is expressed wonderfully; the highlight for me in this poem is the ending, wherein the embers of the fires of the past are the one to ignite a new beginning. Expressive and thoughtful writing. 🙂
-HA
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Thank you Anmol 🙂 Hope and positivity indeed goes a long way.
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I admire the positive thoughts in the end specially: light the way for a second innings~
I am all for fresh start & new beginnings 🙂
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At times, a chance is all we need 🙂 Thank you Grace for commenting!
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I like the way your poem traveled here from looking in the mirror at the beginning to new beginnings. It is good to think we all have those ‘second innings’ in life!
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It is never to late to embark upon the second innings. Thank you Mary!
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Nicely spun and “…only to ignite new beginnings,” it the perfect end to another start. Cheers!
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Cheers to a fresh start, Delaina!
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it is a battle for those feelings between the hope and the demons of our past…our history can be so haunting and debilitating at the same time….but overcoming them, what a new life is born
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Well said Brian! The new life is worth it though…
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a fresh start is all mental… I’ve learned that you can have a new beginning anytime you want. The past can be crippling, but once you realize that you have the power to overcome and forgive yourself from yesterday…. everything will fall into place.
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You are so right, Anthony! It is all in our heads isn’t it – mind over matter…
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To start over is something that we have to do many times and keeping a positive outlook and see the light in the end of the tunnel is crucial.
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Yes… Thank you Bjorn for sharing your thoughts.
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“The smoking memories prickled the eyes
As a reminder of the ugliness to be tamed.”
And, rather than leave this in the realm of melodrama, your poem takes this to a support group, taming, and then ignites new beginnings! Rather wonderful.
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Thank you Susan for your kind words.
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You interpreted the photo so well – I hadnt noticed the difference between her eyes and her smile till I read your note at the end. You are right……an intriguing poem, hinting at an interesting back story.
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Thank you Sherry! Her eyes talk… I too wonder, what is her story.
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Each time we are knocked down or out, when there is a reversal, disappointment, death, betrayal–you are so right; there can be a fresh start, a new perspective on an old horizon; terrific take on the image.
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Thank you Glenn… To pick ourselves up is the key.
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oh i’m glad that the past with the fiery demon heads has no more power – here’s to a wonderful and fresh start!!
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Thank you Claudia. Cheers!
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One of the things that struck me in this poem is that most often appearance and reality are so different from one another. Looking so serene on the surface–while battling inner growth within.
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Yes Victoria. The eyes open a window that words often conceal.
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… and those dieing embers warmed up things a bit
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Oh yes they did!
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Sometimes it is hard to imagine that there is light at the end of a tunnel that seems endless. Yet, no tunnel is without end. New beginnings are always possible.
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No tunnel is without an end… Thank you Gabriella for the lovely thought!
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your words perfectly suit the photograph. Nicely done!
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Thank you Bryan!
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It takes courage to confront new beginnings. I like your interpretation of the photo. Excellent!
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Thank you!
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I know that spark at the end of a long tunnel…some tunnels are longer than others…nice.
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The key is to not lose sight of the spark. Thank you Kathy!
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I enjoyed this exciting journey and comforting story of overcoming. Bravo for new beginnings!
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Thank you JoAnne!
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Beautiful
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Thank you!
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