A NEW POEM WRITTEN AFTER LISTENING TO JI NILSSON'S SONG 'NOTHING'...

Nothing, Not Something…

And time winds on silently

From nothing to something, rhythmically…

Yearning, mulling

Over, as if accepting

Of something and yet nothing;

Questioning, evaluating,

Thoughtfully self-doubting,

Demanding to know 

Just something…

Quickening:

Chorus revealing

Exalting, accusing, refraining,

Then nothing, just missing sometimes…

Quickening:

Vocals splitting,

Doleful, wistful, soulful,

Then cascading, still missing sometimes…

Wondering why through frustration,

Remorse for a love failing:

Puzzled, appealing,

Wounded, not healing;

Straining awry through aggravation,

And terse for a love ailing…

Learning, mulling

Over, expecting

Something but not nothing;

Interrogating, deflating,

Thoughtfully self-effacing,

Commanding the show

Of something…

And time beats on inexorably

From something to nothing, fatally…

Pete Ray

February 2019

Listening to JI Nilsson’s song ‘Nothing’…