March 22, 2010
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ElectricPoetry: New poem
“Solitary Man”
Poetry by Michael F. Nyiri
03/22/10 6:11 a.m. pdtIn the long ago I proved to be quite popular
involved in separate cliques
with revolving groups of friends
I had my “buddies” with whom I could talk for hours
(about nothing in particular)
and counted good friends among my peers
who would drop anything if I needed them
Some friends were male, and some were female
Some were young (and gay), and some were older
Life was good in the long agoYears passed almost unawares
Then people passed
but of them I was aware
Good “buddies” died
and other buddies moved away
I lost touch
My friendships became acquaintences
Yet life seemed good
Not too long ago I had lovers
Although sometimes love
didn’t enter into the equation
At least there was the illusion
of companionship
Lovers passed on,
and roommates took their places
in conversation
but at least there was conversationA few years ago
some supposed friends turned out to have been
plotters and thieves
stealing my money as well as my trust
and I let them go
(or they went to jail)
Two years ago the last roommate died
and I still think as fondly about him
as I do lost lovers, or those cliques
from the long ago.Growing older, I got involved in online life
and I proved to be quite popular
involved in separate cliques
with revolving groups of friends
I had connections around the globe
People in other countries would call me
and I could talk for hours
(about nothing in particular)
I even met in “real life” some online friends
and even found at least a
couple of lovers in cyberspaceBut when I turn off the computer
most of these
online friendships disappear
as if they never existed
except in memory and thought
I have become the solitary man,
accepting of life, and my fate,
interacting with workmates and customers,
and chatting up service personnel at times
I’m quite friendly with the mailwoman
in the few minutes in which we say helloHas friendship disappeared for me?
Are lovers only found in memory?
Is friendship only to be found amongst Facebookers
And Xangans?
I find myself wanting to talk for hours
(about nothing in particular)
but I don’t know who to call
and the only time the phone rings is
from telemarketers
(and I don’t want to talk to them)
I’m happy with life, I tell myself.
I attempt to forge new friendships,
but most of them are merely acquaintences
in the long run.Does true friendship die along with old friends?
Or is this lonliness merely another
block of time, to be followed by
more social gatherings,
more cliques,
and more conversations which last for hours
(about nothing in particular)
I have enough to fill my time (I claim)
Entertainment and creative choices abound
Yet
I sometimes wonder,
And as the years pass,
I seem to wonder more often in the
solitary hours between
idle
conversations
(about nothing in particular)
if I were fated to be the
ever present social butterfly
or merely the solitary man.
BEHIND THE POETRY: Well, since I’ve written a new poem, I might as well clear some of the cobwebs away and post it on my Xanga blog. This one came to me at 1:00 a.m. last night when I got up from sleep, and sort of wrote itself each time I awoke after that, then fell into place when I got to work, as usual. Not meant to be sad, or “lonely” for that matter. I’m just an aging single baby boomer wondering where everybody went. I do have a few blog entries in my head, some of which I’ve been thinking about for months. The next one might be my latest “music video”, in the planning stages for at least four months. I’ve got the music tracks from offline, and most of the lyrics written. Then all I need to do is sing the song, and put down the images. I won’t announce the title right now, but those who stumble upon this entry will know I do have something in the works. I will say which song it’s based on, “Sixty Minute Man” an old blues by Billy Ward and the Dominoes. MFN/ppf
Comments (29)
Time passes, and people disappear. But a true friend does not. It’s really good to see you back, Michael. I missed seeing your updates, and I’m sorry I didn’t keep up with you before.
I’m working on being a better friend, and can’t wait to see more of your poetry and updates.
Oh my word~ I giggled out loud when I saw your profile pic on my sub page. So good to see you!!!
The poem is beautiful~ I, too~ at only 45~ have wondered where face to face friendships have gone to. Moving so late in life to a new state~ I am finding it a challenge to fit into already established relationships. This is so new to me~ to feel friendless~ in a way~ for a person who is very friendly.
Hi, Mike — Welcome back! I like this poem — but there’s no need to be quite so solitary — even on-line friendships are important
!
This makes me sad. I hope you comtinue to put your heart and soul out there for all of us to experience. You have been missed.
I’ve missed you posting here.
This was such a good poem. I feel the same… is friendship only found on Xanga? It feels like it is!
I think it’s “just another block of time.” You aren’t all that old, seriously!
I guess it depends on how many people you want around you and stuff too. Like my phone never rings, usually because I forget to charge it, or lose it, because I hate talking on the phone! About anything or nothing in partifular
I’ve never had reams of RL friends though, so I don’t really have anything to compare it to now, when I also don’t have reams of RL friends. I have to consciously make an effort to remember that I DO need people, otherwise I will be feeling lousy and not ‘get’ why that is.
how could I ever forget you Mike? you’re still popular here.
you can blog about nothing in particular all you want, you’re always a joy to read even if i have nothing in particular to say. this poem struck a chord.
:wave: Hey, Mike, it’s good to see you back. That’s a very thoughtful poem. I’m glad that you shared it with us.
~~Blessings ‘n cheers
I feel sadness in this poem, and I guess I could relate it in a way. Things and circumstances will change as time passes. People come and go in our lives… those fun, happy moments are becoming rare and infrequent. All these make us wonder if we have lose it, the essence of our friendships and the will to go on living.
I have oft lamented the departure of good friends from my life. It happens, even though I don’t like it.
Friends come and go. It’s sad sometimes. Great writing. Womderful self reflection.
:sunny: Reminds me of an old song…”Where have all the Baby Boomers gone long time passing, where have all the Baby Boomers gone long time ago”
Great poem!
As Alice said:
“…if I don’t make haste, I shall have to go back through the looking-glass…back into the old room-and there’d be an end of all my adventures!”
Sending my ‘curiouser & curiouser’ thoughts through the looking-glass.
♡ Ƙarolyn
Mike — REALLY enjoyed your poem. Friends come and friends go — but memories will always be here for us to unfold.
@And_I_love - You do know Michael invented the dinosaurs, right?
RYC: Thank you for your compliments. Poetry is one of my weakest writing points, so having such kind words given to me from a far better writer as you is definitely an honour. I have other pieces on my Xanga, as well as on my DeviantArt account
Welcome back! And what a great post to come back with
Look forward to seeing/reading/watching more!
Perception of one’s age is a relative thing
Wow. You got a couple “Welcome Backs”. I think you were missed. I know I missed you. As far as real life. I realize Xanga has it’s little drama, but only if you involve yourself in it. On the outside, you can join me in my little boat of being called a whore and a homewrecker (when there is no home to wreck). Funny how people don’t take the time to really know us. Assumption is a disease. I think I’ll stick to my online friends. They are less deadly.
Welcome back. There is something to be said for the fact that times change and with the passing of times the cycling of friendships. Much like most things in life without an effort to sustain relations tend to become just memories. You have the talents and personality to revive them though much like you did with this page. I hope things are going well.
@Schristian - Ah now, don’t be like that! I reiterate, Michael is not that old. “Xanga years” don’t begin to represent the general population!
Welcome back!
Wonderful poem, Mike, and so good to see you back! I feel as I’ve grown older, I have become far more selective about with whom I spend time. But I’ve always been the type of person who needs/likes time alone, who is happiest in her own space.
i never think of anything this good when i wake up in the middle of the night.
I keep thinking about life in terms of the metaphor of breathing. In and out. Sometimes you breathe in silence and soak up what’s around you and mediate. Sometimes you breathe out and are social and buzzing. I like holding in the breath between the two. But to everything (turn turn turn) there is a season.
I really like it when you post
It seems as if the solitude is bringing forward new creativity in you Mike. Alas, all some of us can be, is cyber friends for we have not yet managed to break down the barriers of space. So cyber is maybe not as full as actual friendship but it helps to break the monotony of being alone.
At xanga, you will never be a solitary man. Even when the computer is off, you still seem to see the profile pictures of those who came to visit and those whom you paid a visit. Thanks for this thought-provoking poem. Awesome!
Hmm….
I was reflecting on similar vein – and how many of the people I used to be tight with had somehow either passed away or passed on – and how few people stuck around as my sons grew, and less people stuck around as my sons became teens…how many burials [and "marry-als"] I’ve attended [watching the people leave...]
At this point in time, I’m “lucky”. I’ve a handful of friends in the walking world [and their troubles...] who gather at my home to share eats and Game Night, I’ve the online communities [and online friends who see me through a heck of a lot], I’ve my volunteer work [and people I've become friendly with along the way], and I’ve my eccentric hobbies. I’m employed, whereas several people I know are currently “between jobs”. I’ve a roof over my head and I’m a fair hand at cooking.
I know that these, too, shall pass. My husband is a number of years my senior, I know my sons will be grown and gone before too long, and I know I’ll be attending a few more burials than “marrials” before I’m done with Planet Earth.
Still and all…I do miss having the energy to just walk in the yard and see the stars and chat with my galpal about nothing in particular…
You’ll likely see my response to your later post than this one…it’s the order in which I received it in my email box.
Know that you’re loved…
-Max-