by Doug Westberg

Member since:
January 4, 2007

Paleontology: Terza Rima for Mindful Poetry Contest #20 MP2012 Gather Writing Essential Thursday SunWE

April 27, 2012 02:02 PM UTC

views: 0 | 18 people recommend this | comments: 33

Â

I am more than what has happened to me;

I am what I decide to make of it.

Yet those who donâ€™t study their history

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Are doomed, the saying goes, to repeat it.

Like the Grand Canyon, Iâ€™ve been carved by time;

Like David, Iâ€™ve been shaped by art and wit,

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My fossil layers bared by wind and rime,

My chiseled veins exposed for you to see.

As thin and worn down as a silver dime,

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The once-bright face of Lady Liberty

Rubbed smooth by every finger on my skin,

The scars I wear, no more in stark relief,

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Still show me as the soldier I have been.

Not a prisoner of history,

A student of the enemy within,

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If I am ever to be truly free,

I must not forget what it is I flee.

Â

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Â© 2012 Douglas J. Westberg. All Rights Reserved. Â Please share this on Gather.com, and elsewhere on the web by means of a link back to this page, but please do not copy. Â Doug's latest book is The Depressed Guy's Book of Wisdom from Chipmunka Publishing.

Doug's Gather Group is Depression and Creativity, devoted to creative writing about depression and related illnesses, and creative writing as therapy. Â Please consider joining. Â You can read more of Doug's posts there, or here.

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18 people recommend this post

Shelbia C.

Sandy Moore

Barbary C.

Sheila Deeth

Anne Gresinger

Ann Marcaida

Comments: 33

JOHN BECK Apr 27, 2012, 2:18pm UTC

Excellent, and a great way to showcase one of your themes, Doug.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:56pm UTC

Thank you, John, and yes it is.

reply to this comment

Debbie W. Apr 27, 2012, 2:29pm UTC

Truly an excellent poem, Doug.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:56pm UTC

Thank you, Debbie!

reply to this comment

A. F. Stewart Apr 27, 2012, 3:52pm UTC

A terrific poem.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:56pm UTC

Thanks, Anita!

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Len Maxwell Apr 27, 2012, 4:04pm UTC

That was wonderfully written, Doug.

Thanks for posting to the Wall of Old Bones on The Triple Name Club where it's now featured.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:57pm UTC

Thanks, Len!

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ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Apr 27, 2012, 4:25pm UTC

The first line drew me in... I am more than what has happened to me.
A great reminder Doug.

Featured at The Surreal Circus.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:57pm UTC

Thanks, Carol!

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Angie O. Apr 27, 2012, 4:33pm UTC

A great "looking back" poem. I love the first and last lines especially,

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 4:57pm UTC

Thanks, Angie!

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J. Reid Apr 27, 2012, 5:17pm UTC

Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 8:23pm UTC

Thanks, Johnice!

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Alison H. Apr 27, 2012, 6:41pm UTC

I was very moved by this. Wonderful poem.

Doug Westberg Apr 27, 2012, 8:23pm UTC

Thanks, Alison!

reply to this comment

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Apr 28, 2012, 12:51am UTC

A very broad, vast poem, Doug. Covers so much with so few words.

Terza rima, you’ve locked this one up with grace Mindful Poetry.

Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 12:54am UTC

Thanks, Susan!

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william d. Apr 28, 2012, 1:20am UTC

Well written and deep

Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 11:33am UTC

Thank you, william!

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Katryn D. Apr 28, 2012, 8:20am UTC

it is rather interesting how we can watch history cycle

Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 11:33am UTC

It certainly is!

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Ann Marcaida Apr 28, 2012, 2:40pm UTC

We certainly are shaped and buffeted by time and life. Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.

Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 5:50pm UTC

Thanks for the feature, Ann!

reply to this comment

Anne Gresinger Apr 28, 2012, 2:54pm UTC

This is excellent, Doug... I really appreciate your perspective, so well rendered.

Doug Westberg Apr 28, 2012, 5:50pm UTC

Thanks, Anne!

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Mustafa Demiri Apr 29, 2012, 7:54pm UTC

A masterfully crafted piece... running down to the deepest primordial strata.

Doug Westberg Apr 29, 2012, 8:03pm UTC

Thanks, Mustafa...wonderful turn of phrase!

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Sheila Deeth May 3, 2012, 8:22pm UTC

Excellent and so smoothly thought-provoking.

Doug Westberg May 4, 2012, 6:11pm UTC

thank you, Sheila!

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Barbary C. May 12, 2012, 5:49pm UTC

A very good declarative poem, Doug.

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Sandy Moore May 26, 2012, 9:10pm UTC

Super poem, Doug.

Thank you for sharing with Watching The Wind Blow By

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Shelbia C. Aug 16, 2012, 2:08am UTC

I love this

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