Neopoet

Join the Neopoet online poetry workshop and community to improve as a writer, meet fellow poets, and showcase your work. Sign up, submit your poetry, and get started.

Michael Anthony
Michael Anthony
Oct 09, 2021 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Unit of Measure

I’ve heard the human soul
weighs 21 grams or so
Not so in my experience!

All those I miss the most
weigh much heavier on me

My mind sees their souls
as impossible to lift some days,
because of the burden of their absence

Heavy lifting - as if 21 grams
were as I imagine it might weigh
in the dark heart of a crushing black hole

About This Poem

Last Few Words: Looking through a telescope the other night into the vastness of the stars, I was struck be a few emotions. Many of them seemed to center around my longing to see those I've lost over the years.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Direction: What did you think of my title?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Region, Country: San Francisco Bay Area - USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Bukowski, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Haiku & Harvey Kurtzman (a visual poet, of sorts)

This user supports Neopoet so it can be free to all

More from this author

Comments

Sen99

Sen99

3 years 9 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Very good, well crafted, concise poem. Interesting theme, imaginative ideas, nice work, hope to read

Geezer

Geezer

3 years 9 months ago

I often...

have thoughts such as yours after my eyes visit the [heavens], I think that it must be us, wondering where do those that have left this life actually go? I find your title to be well within the parameters of the poem, and the appeal of this story seems to be universal. We cannot conceive of someone that means so much to us, just dissolving into the cosmos leaving no trace.
Somber, but not particularly sad piece. ~ Geez.
.

C

c lynn brooks

3 years 9 months ago

Michael

Your words could not ring more true,you would think 23grams almost weight ,oh but think again

Simon

Simon

3 years 9 months ago

It's a piece

That brought me back from memory lane, because I always think about my dad for he left since when I was a child and I wander if there is another world he is living in maybe heaven. keep dropping by thanks.

Triskelion

Triskelion

3 years 8 months ago

Hi Michael

This is a great comparison of two perspectives. I hope one day you realize the potential it has.
All the best.

Thomas