Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Missing Piece

By Joseph Hesch

Not very long ago I learned how
hearts react to warmth,
heads can be turned by words, and
vision blurred by the strain of the search.
It was when I realized we cover ourselves
in so many protective layers,
spun by those words like wire on a spool,
sometimes welding these bindings around us
into a cocoon with the heat of our beating hearts.
I wondered why we are unwilling
to shed our armor or even look within?
Do we fear the inevitable hurt from the other
or even from ourselves?
We’re two puzzles, each with pieces missing,
our souls seeking that other to complete us.
We all deserve to find that one,
recognize him, hold her.
That’s the part so few achieve. The Holding.
I know that such a communion exists.
It exists in the moment,
and for some it can last forever.
This I learned when I finally opened my eyes,
and you recognized me.


This is my weekly poem posted for dVerse Poets Pub's Open Link Night, which, son of a gun, I happen to be hosting tonight. Why don't stop on by and check out the many poets, themes, styles and talents getting together for this week's all-nighter?
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42 comments:

  1. Jack.September 13, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    :)

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  2. Wine and WordsSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    This is gorgeous. That last line. Words turning heads. I never realized their power until two years ago. I rarely uttered them, much less wrote them. I love this piece. Transparency is worth it. I try to live with a filterless heart. Sometimes there is too much input. But I wouldn't change it. I'll just write about it instead.

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  3. Brian MillerSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    lovely man...yes i think that finding that one other is such a special thing, and once we find them we need to hold them. and close and not take that for granted...big smiles at your closing line...

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  4. ScarletSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Love these lines ~

    This I learned when I finally opened my eyes,
    and you recognized me.

    Also, thank you for your lovely words in my blog. Have fun hosting later ~

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  5. Pat HattSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Still working on opening my eyes and finding that one. So true though, once those two puzzle pieces are together, hold on and never let go.

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  6. BrendanSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    I believe there is only the love poem, the attempt to row the distance between I and Thou. Your poem is a fine bit of exegesis on the labor of that work, getting through to The Holding and asserting it now and forever. - Brendan

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  7. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Well stated piece Joe, I tend to agree with you, 2 parts to a story/2 sides to a coin and so forth... love how you chose 2 puzzles, for reasons just mentioned, and the idea of the missing pieces, the incompletion within- yearning to find itself whole- very nicely done, thanks really enjoyed the read

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  8. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    This is direct truth... sometimes we ignore it, or feel like if we acknowledge it we are less than smart, or cool, or hip, or popular.... but the truth is that there is a part of us that needs one another, a beautiful part if you let it be. a hole in our hearts that can only be filled by the love of others.... It's as much a part of us as any other, and one of the most important, probably. You described it wonderfully....

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  9. ayalaSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    So true...when we find it we need to hold it and cherish it...love the ending line.

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  10. LauraSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    this is a beautiful look at love...it is truly about seeing and being seen, listening and being heard, holding and being held...and it takes great courage to love fully. Wonderful poem, well done.

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  11. Robert Gibson: PWES EditorSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    Wow I love this :) My piece for Open Link Night also has a puzzle metaphor :) Great minds think alike huh? :D Awesome!

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  12. Joanne Young ElliottSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Nice...

    I really liked:
    "It was when I realized we cover ourselves
    in so many protective layers,
    spun by those words like wire on a spool,
    sometimes welding these bindings around us
    into a cocoon with the heat of our beating hearts."

    Like how you ended it as well.

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  13. PatriciaSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Love the recognizing and holding...
    so beautiful Joe. My heart was deeply touched by that last line. Nothing like uncovering those layers in the right arms. Thank you for hosting tonight!

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  14. Uneven StephenSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Nice write Joe, very thought provoking. I think my favorites lines would have to be "spun by those words like wire on a spool, / sometimes welding these bindings around us / into a cocoon with the heat of our beating hearts." Beautiful reflection. Thanks for hosting OLN.

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    Really a thrilling poem, Joe, especially that killer ending. True, courageous, lovely!

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  16. seasideauthorSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Well written and so true and even if you find it...most people lose it because they do not nourish it, or just walk away. Nicely done. Almost a tear at the end here, too. On first read I skimmed bleeding heart, got it right the second time. Beating is the beat!

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  17. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Beautiful writing Joe! loved the end

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  18. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Eloquent and speculative... I love this line:

    "spun by those words like wire on a spool"

    ~laurie

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Thats just lovely. I like how you often put a flip at the end.

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  20. TimoteoSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Truly romantic...and it sounds like someone is pretty lucky.

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  21. Ann LeFloreSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    such a thrilling poem and way to look at love
    http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/13/a-new-life-begins/

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  22. Maude LynnSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    What a gorgeous write!

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  23. Christi MoonSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    well penned Joe-- these two lines are my favorite--

    heads can be turned by words, and
    vision blurred by the strain of the search

    how true!

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  24. Mark KerstetterSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    It's a paradox, I suppose, but the only way to hold is to let go. To do that involves self-recognition, which you seem to suggest in the final two lines.

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  25. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Really nice, Joe.

    I'm reading Auden interviews where he talks about free verse, and how hard it really is to substain right....and to end.

    This is a good example of how it's done right.

    Imagery is very good, and the rhythmn is on spot.

    Lady Nyo

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  26. Ann GrenierSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    A wonderful poem. Puzzle pieces are a perfect metaphor. I love your ending.

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  27. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    This vulnerability and communion takes concerted effort, nicely said, thank you so much for hosting!

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  28. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    Beautiful Joe - I agree with Lady Ngo - it is perfectly sustained right to the very end

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  29. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Sadly, I'm still puzzled by it all; a beautiful write, indeed ~

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  30. DivyaSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:26 AM

    What a beautiful write Joe,its hard for me to say which lines i liked.. the feeling and imagery made such solemn touch to heart..like peaceful serene ..ummm... hard to explain.. Lovely .. Enjoyed it

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  31. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Hurting hearts... need healing. Your words can begin that process.

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  32. signed...bkmSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    A lifetime we search for that self - always so close but ever changing before our eyes...may we embrace, hold that person within and love him/her...bkm

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  33. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Awww, this is really sweet ... and sad, for those who are never seen.

    poetrypastiche.blogspot.com

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  34. UnknownSeptember 14, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    It is a hard thing to truly put yourself out there. Sometimes it seems worth it and other times it does not. But, I do believe no matter what we feel, it truly is worth it in the end. Lovely as always, Joe :)

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  35. Apryl GonzalesSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    A moving piece, words spun like wire on a spool and the last lines, lovely :)

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  36. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    We hesitate because we have learned what the pain of failure feels like, when the seemingly perfect puzzle piece turns out to have the grooves going in the wrong directions. There are many truths penned here. A true pleasure to read.

    Beth

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  37. hyperCRYPTICalSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Ah what complicated souls we are Joe - yet (for me) we think we are so open and giving - but perhaps we truly do not know our very selves.

    Anna :o]

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  38. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    This is beautiful, real.

    "The Holding."
    Yes...
    ~deb

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  39. UnknownSeptember 15, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Walls keep bad out but they also keep the good in don't they? Beautiful words Joe ~ Rose

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  40. kahit minsanSeptember 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    the last line did it for me. i find nothing missing in this one.

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  41. Jannie FunsterSeptember 15, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Hi Joe, it is a long path to shedding the armor, and not let life hurt us.

    The last line seems very hopeful to me -- I like it a lot.

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  42. Rosemary Nissen-WadeSeptember 17, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Interesting one to ponder!

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