The stark contrast of white
made of brilliant crystals
against the shiny black
of the wrought iron fence
brings to mind the striking
dichotomy of life’s journey
parallel to my very own
stretching out farther behind
with a shorter distance
forward
being finally alone within
my own skin, my own otherness
a life of contrasting colors
of realizing differences
of trying to fit into
a smaller space
of acceptance
yet in doing so, giving away
pieces of my ‘self’
until I am left wondering
what is left
as I now turn the page
of another chapter
to come facing the mirror
reflecting my own image
do I realize I am now alone
to accept my otherness
my differences
understanding the helix
of the genetics snake
is both the same path taken
of flesh and blood
but also parallel beside
others in my diverseness
is that which makes me unique
both repelling me from
yet pulling me to others
like that of the white crystals
of stark white snow snaking
around bushes, curving ’round
branches and clinging lightly
to the black wrought iron fence
there is a twisting and turning
only barely discernible inside
the double helix of
a strand of genetic DNA
telling me to be accepting
of my otherness even in needing
to be with others
© February 2019 Renee Espriu
Image Taken From Public Domain Pictures & Created As Art
reneejustturtleflight.com 
Interesting thought in the end.. loved this reflections .
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Thank you for your comment. I do hope you are doing well now in your new home and that, if not already, your husband will join you soon. Be well.
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It is a powerful poem that probes the contrasting hues of life, ‘the dichotomy’. The innate loneliness of humans has been captured with icy precision.
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Thank you. I am pleased that you and others understand. Poems as observed mean different things to different people and the perception is not always the same. I like that but there are times when I write that I am hoping the depth touches those who read.
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I always admire how you apply your scientific interest for the natural world in your poems, Renee. You are a great observer of details. The image of snow as shiny cristals on the dark iron fence is marvelous as you connect it with the most existentialist issues of the human soul. The whole piece is very powerful. Love this:
“being finally alone within
my own skin, my own otherness”
These two verses get to the truth, as Umashankar so well points out, “the innate loneliness of human beings”.
The end has also great strength with the role our DNA plays. Indeed, loneliness is inherent to the human condition (see Heidegger’s existentialist philosophy and the concept of Geworfenheit = thrownness, used “to describe humans’ individual existences as “being thrown” (geworfen) into the world” , taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrownness). At the same time, thrownness points at the idea of our inherited past (we are thrown into an already existing world), and it also points at our finitude as beings. We must accept that, which is harder the older we get. And yet as lonely beings as we are, at the same time we need the others because we are a gregarious species. The last verses of your poem express this beautifully.
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Most people find me hard to understand and say that I am too deep, to complex but it is as my mind works and it seems the older I become the more it does so. I become very philosophical as well, another way I view my world. When I write it seems that my words become as you say. I am happy you enjoyed this poem. The Winter snow is not my favorite thing but it has seemed to inspire my muse and I take my que.
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I love philosophy and depth, so your work is very attractive to me.
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I am glad we have connected across the miles.
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Yes, me too. Poetry, literature and arts in general, know no boundaries.
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Hi Renee, it’s lovely to be back from sick leave and perusing my friends posts, I see you still maintain an extraordinary talent in writing, your poetry begs to be reread a number of times and each time provides a magnificent insightful glimpse into life and existence.
My kindest regards.
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I am so glad you are back and I do hope you are feeling better. Yes, I believe at times my poems tend to be a bit deep with layers but if you are willing to read it and garner a meaning for yourself that is all I could ever hope for. Kindest regards also.
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Renee, I love the metaphor of white crystals on the wrought iron fence, and how you compared the aloneness and the “otherness” phases of life. Our perspectives change in those regards as we get older – and as you mentioned in a comment, we become more philosophical. (Especially true for those of us who have always been on that path.) This is indeed a poem to be read many times.
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The late Winter storms certainly froze me but of course, it is a startling scenic beauty that my muse would not ignore. Today the sun shone and I do believe the snow ill soon be gone. Accumulated so quickly and stayed but taking longer to thaw. I am ready for Spring. I am glad you enjoyed the write. In six weeks I will be moving to my daughter’s house and hopefully, a new beginning. Stay warm, my friend.
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so lovely – to me this resonates of how it is difficult to be unique and yet all part of the same family…
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I am so very diverse that I have always found it difficult to not understand that people do not seem to understand that in being so one is certainly unique and that it really does not set you apart. Thank you for your comment and for visiting. I have been enjoying your recent posts and all that you are seeing in the way of art. Thank you for sharing.
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🙂
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