Friday 27 September 2024

Three Poems by Sam Aureli

 




INTO THE WOODS


 

The great American beech stands tall, 
its autumn foliage scattered about, 
the scaly cones of the eastern white 
pines have run their course and lay 
with broken twigs and whatever else 
the forest has decided to discard. The 
crunch beneath my feet fills the quiet. 
 
No one travels here other than the deer 
and the squirrel, and the wood thrush 
that sings its songs. There are fresh 
scrapes on the fissured bark of the mighty 
tulip, the black bear speaking a language 
only nature hears. I have no claws with 
which to speak and my voice has no melody. 
 
Even the wind can be heard as it carries 
the words of the chattering forest, with 
the creaking and cracking of branches, 
the rustling of leaves as they tumble 
along. The aging white birch with its 
unfolding papery skin leans toward me 
and whispers, “Where are you going?” 
 
I’ve been here and there and all around, 
rubbed my hands against the poplars 
and spruces, spotted the white-tailed 
stag as it grazed on tree shoots. I’ve 
heard the morning dove coo and searched 
for the great horned owl at night, yet 
this woodland looks unfamiliar to me. 
 
In the distance, the sound of rushing 
water is grounding. The babbling brook 
bobs and weaves around roots and age- 
worn stone, through lush flora and down 
steep slopes, until it trails off to where 
the forest meets the open waters, 
carrying with it the silt of the world. 

 

Originally published on Medium.com on December 30, 2022 

 

 

 

 

OCEAN WATERS


 

I stand alone in the peaceful 
ocean waters of New England. 
 
My feet adjust 
to the coarse sands, 
the broken shells and rocks 
dig into the soles of my feet 
as I steady myself; 
 
the waves lap against 
my chest as they pass 
on by and gently fold 
themselves onto 
shoreline behind me; 
 
the sun shimmers 
and sparkles on top 
of the cresting waters, 
light reflecting off 
of a million diamonds; 
 
a flock of piping plovers 
fly over my head 
and skim the horizon 
as quickly as their sand-coloured 
wings will take them. 
 
In this very moment I want 
to let go and just drift away. 

 

Originally Published on Medium.com on January 6, 2023 

 

 

 

 

VANISHING


 

I feel them slipping away, 
fragments of memory slowly 
detaching from the frontal lobe, 
floating like dandelion pappi, 
fluffy parachutes drifting off 
with the wind. I chase after them, 
but look foolish, a frenzied flailing of fists 
trying to recover pieces of me. 
 
I don’t want to forget. Like sand 
in an hourglass, each lost episode 
carries with it the weight of time, 
and the days lately are tipping the scale 
toward oblivion. So, i fill the hours 
with crosswords, sudokus, and other 
puzzles to exercise the mind 
and delay the inevitable. 
 
Though the fondness of yesterday 
continues its slippery decline, 
and the sound of my father’s voice 
fades like the mist, I choose to live 
for today, and take in every lived 
moment with the depth of breath 
that fills the lungs with the memories 
of dreamers and lovers. 

 

Originally published on Medium.com on January 30, 2023




Sam Aureli, born in Italy but raised as a citizen of the globe, hopping from country to country (Italy, Australia, US) before finally settling in the US at 18. 33 years later, the "immigrant" label feels distant, but the rich tapestry of cultures experienced shapes who they are.

 

Sam's heart overflows with love for my two amazing young adult children. When not with them, Sam is immersed in the worlds of poetry, art, and music – their true passions.

 

Professionally, Sam has spent decades building a successful career in real estate development, leveraging their architecture degree and construction management expertise.

 

Sam is an incurable romantic, believing in the power of love, compassion, and understanding. Life's nuances fascinate Sam – it's far richer than we often think. Deep conversations about life, love, and faith are best enjoyed over drinks, fostering genuine connection.

 

Sam firmly believes life is a journey meant to be shared with loved ones. So, let's raise a glass to the adventure ahead, cherishing every step along the way! 

 

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