When It Escapes You: A Poem

When It Escapes You

I caught lightning in a bottle

But it shattered through the glass

I held the wind in my hand

Before it slipped through the cracks

…

I had no chance to show it

I had no chance to gloat

Just the sweet remorse of a moment

A moment gone too soon

…

To think what could have happened

If I’d only been able to contain it

To use it at that moment

What will never be again

…

So if I catch lighting in a bottle

Or rushing wind in my hand

It won’t be the same as the one before

I’ll feel it nevermore

…

Is there use in fretting over what wasn’t?

I guess there is no point

Nevertheless, I write this poem

To satisfy my grief

…

I can’t help but mourn an opportunity

Missed by mere distraction


motors buzzing

Voices chattered

Urgent chiming

Windows shattered

Fingers tapping

Words demanded

The locomotive moving quickly

Couldn’t get a sense of direction

Thought of jumping

But lost conviction

…

It took all-day

to slow back down

To keep from spinning

round and round

…

I found a ticket

in my pocket

Looks like I’m boarding

again tomorrow

…

As I lay me down tonight

I’m dreading that awful ride

scared I’ll miss the lightning bolt

Again moving too fast

…

Next time I’m jumping off the train

Bottle and lid in hand

There’s nothing more important

That catching lightning in my hand

…

It’s hard to tell when it’s coming

So I have to be prepared

No more chasing after the wind

When there is power in the storm