Charmed Chaos
Musings on Life, Love, and Linguine-Poetry & Writing
rust
“But when oxidation nibbles more slowly – more delicately, like a tortoise – at the world around us, without a flame, we call it rust and we sometimes scarcely notice as it goes about its business consuming everything from hairpins to whole civilizations.”
― Alan Bradley, A Red Herring Without Mustard
Rusting palm
foreseeing a bleak future
the only fortune
a ring on her finger
wasting days and nights
years dissolving into red dust
without the comfort
of a warm hand to hold
for only with
these eyes locked on another
can she love from afar
without touching
A generation
devoid of hugs, decaying
©2020 Linda Lee Lyberg
Linda Lee Lyberg is a wife, mother, artist, published poet and author. She resides in Mesa, AZ with her husband Pete (aka The Big Viking) of 24 years, and her dog, Ricky Bobby. Linda writes various forms of poetry, as well as short stories. You can read more of her works at: charmedchaos.com
and purchase anthologies containing her work here: Amazon Author Page
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POETS CORNER
Charmed Chaos 
Beautiful and sad all rolled up into one poem. I enjoyed this.
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Thank you Helen.
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I am drawn to the line about how she “can love from afar without touching.”
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Thank you Sherry.
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Ah the theme song from my 20’s, along with Ashton Garnder & Dyke’s “It’s Gonna Be High Tonight.” I don’t think my young self and I would even know what to say to each other, now.
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It’s a sad world living the life you have so nicely portrayed. I dumped my ring by accident in a lake while swimming but that was a good move.
I tried to read more of Alan Bradley but the linked site requires a sign in. I am using another’s computer and will not spread cookies free to him. I used to teach with an Alan Bradley, I will check him from my smart phone later if I remember. A bummer, just telling.
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I loved that song! Hadn’t thought of it in years. Thanks for the nostalgia!
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Sure!
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Oh, yes. All that touching that never happens as a living palm rusts. Whew! Fantastic write, Linda…
Elizabeth
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Thank you Elizabeth!
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Yes we can touch with our eyes indeed. This is lovely Linda, and I love the truths of the Bradley quote. Thank you for joining us at the Muse! 🌹
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A true pleasure! Thank you so much.
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“these eyes locked on another” — great.
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Thank you!
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Nicely put–and full of a loneliness that creeps up just like rust. That is one of my favorite old songs, too. Lovely writing.
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Thank you.
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Beautiful melancholic piece…
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Thank you Susie.
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“love from afar without touching” – such a sad thought, particularly in these times.
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Yes, it is.
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Great poem and perfect song choice! ❤
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Thank you so much Walt!
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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