„Elegy for the Intangible” is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring presence of a lost father. The poem captures the complex emotions of grief and love, transcending physical separation and touching on the essence of remembrance. It evokes the silent strength of memories that bind us to those who have passed away, reflecting a journey of pain, acceptance, and the search for solace in their lasting influence.

Elegy for the Intangible

In still silence, my body resides, yet tears betray the calm,
My heart, a fervent drummer, seeks to draw the sap from life’s palm.
Yet, my mind takes flight, among clouds it soars to skies,
Towards heaven, towards you, beyond the mortal ties.

I cry out to the ones who took you, like a grieving mother’s plea,
I reach out, but you’re the breeze, the water, forever free.
You’re the ticking clock’s whisper, every second a beckoning,
But where you wait, I cannot come, the chasm too reckoning.

I’d build a bridge of love and longing, to bring you near,
But that calls for a final breath, death whispers in my ear.
My thoughts, an ocean in which I’m drowning, deep and vast,
Yet I’d leave behind the wind that’ll continue to blow steadfast.

The verdant trees and rolling hills would stand still in time,
Neither mountains moved nor waves ceased in their prime.
But I’d die a rusty sword in its sheath, a quiet, longing clime,
A solemn echo amidst the earthly, relentless chime.

I call out, but you’re stone to my cries, clay to my plea,
Your eyes, just a burden, your silence, the endless sea.
I speak to you in days and nights, but my words, you don’t hear,
I smile, yet behind the facade, lies an eternal tear.

I often float between two worlds, my mind a wanderer without a chart,
Not seeking, but finding you in every beat of my art.
For without you, home is but a barren heart’s plea,
Every edifice I build, crumbles to the sea.

For home is where you are, in every dream, every star,
In the silences between beats, close yet far.
In the cool morning breeze, in the night’s soft hue,
Home is but a longing, a journey to you.

Poem Analysis

Reflecting on „Elegy for the Intangible,” it becomes clear that this poem transcends the mere concept of physical loss and enters a domain where the intangible memories and legacy of a loved one reign supreme. The silence and stillness that open the poem contrast with the internal turmoil of grief—a heart that beats with the life force of memory and a mind that seeks solace in the spiritual presence of a father now in the heavens.

Understanding the Metaphors

The poem uses vivid metaphors to express the profound sense of yearning and loss:

„…my heart, a fervent drummer, seeks to draw the sap from life’s palm…”

Here, the heart is not just an organ but a symbol of life’s ongoing rhythm, seeking nourishment from memories like a tree draws sap for survival.

„…you’re the breeze, the water, forever free…”

The father is likened to elements that are beyond capture—free and enduring, yet impossible to hold, embodying the essence of the spirit that continues to influence and surround the speaker.

The Impossibility of Reunion

The chasm that the speaker mentions is both literal and metaphorical, signifying the irreversible separation that death brings:

„…But where you wait, I cannot come, the chasm too reckoning…”

It recognizes the finality of death and the speaker’s acceptance that some distances cannot be traversed in the physical world.

The Search for Home

The poem culminates in the realization that „home” has become an ephemeral concept, tied to the essence of the father’s presence:

„…For home is where you are, in every dream, every star…”

This is a powerful testament to the enduring bond between child and parent, where the father’s influence remains a guiding star, a permanent fixture in the spiritual sky of the speaker’s world.

Concluding Thoughts: Elegy for the Intangible

„Elegy for the Intangible” is a heartfelt homage to a father whose absence is a palpable void in the fabric of everyday existence. It is a poem that many who have experienced loss can relate to—a moving testament to the love and enduring connection that outlives physical departure.

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