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rainonwednesday — For A Genius Dying Young
Published: 2011-08-16 20:38:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 5367; Favourites: 279; Downloads: 54
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For A Genius Dying YoungI have always pointed out
That stars are brightest when they've died
And that the miracle, that we can still see their light
Is precious. A treasure.
You burn, not like a candle, not like a comet,
You burn like a star.
And when your fire ceases
Your light will still go on
Blessing all of us still under the same night sky—
You will be beaming down at us even after we say goodbye.
I will take the end of you
The flutter that will close your eyes
Knowing that everything bright like you
Too quickly and too unfairly
Departs from us and
Dies.
Shining, showing, growing soft
Dimming, but bright enough a torch
To Illume still the glory in the heart of you
And leave a small speck of something
Smoldering, but true—
The incidental fact
That I know
You loved me too.
Blaze, young genius, burn and bedazzle
Burnish brilliance from afar—
Bless us with your radiant star!
Resplendent, you will shame the moon,
And I will grieve you, genius boy—
Wasted
Wrested
Far too soon.
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Comments: 116
A beautiful work with lovely expressions; a truly emotion instilling piece. I loved the "You will be beaming down at us even after we say goodbye.
I have seen two genius relatives of mine leave us... both at a young age and both at extreme levels in their fields. Alas this is life.
Stay strong.
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Alas indeed. Alas for the world they left behind; which could have benefited so greatly from their contributions...but made less painful for the magnificent ways they touch us in the time they are given.
Thank you for the comment and the fav, and I am so glad that you enjoyed the poem.
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You are welcome 
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this is beautiful but horribly sad. I know it's tough hearing that kind of news and I hope things will get better.
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We had his memorial a few weeks ago. He had asked me to read this; but I couldn't get do it--I was crying too hard.
Things can only get better from here: the worst is over. Thank you for your kind comment.
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8( that's really sad, and it's understandable why you couldn't read it, even though it truly is beautiful. I wish you the best of luck with recovery, it's a hard process in it's own. the best way to get through things such as losing someone you care about is to just do what you're doing now. take it one day at a time and if you ever feel overwhelmed write it out, or express yourself in the best ways possible. if you ever need to talk remember that someone is always there, even if it's a stranger on dA or a close family or friend.
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Sorry for the tardy reply---
I know, at least, that I will always have you to talk to in times of need. I treasure that greatly.
Thank you for your kind comment.
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take your time replying. and you can talk to me and all the dA peeps about anything. =0 also if you wanted to, you can even write me a note if you feel it's too personal for this kind of replying. that way you'll feel at ease with privacy.
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Well, I pretty much laid out my dirty laundry in my journal entry...I'm throwing caution to the wind and being truthful about the challenges I'm facing, no matter how humiliating they are.
And I feel I am able to do so because of the support I get from friends like you.
BTW--it's a two-way street. I'm here if you need me.
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it's always good to be truthful and acknowledge your problems. it helps in a way that I really couldn't understand, but I know from experience that it helps. I had a hard time dealing with my own problems for a very long time because i refused to let myself believe they actually existed. now I'm getting help for them and I feel a lot better. I'll never be able to fully understand why it happened or why no one was around to help me at the time, but lately i've been...well, ok with it. not completely thrilled, but i dont hurt so much anymore. so it helps a lot to tell yourself "hey man. this happened and you did all you could. just gotta let things go."
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I just read this again after many months.
Made me cry. Again.
Somehow, I find that the impact of the person after death - the handprint they leave in the world, so to speak - is the most emotional part. Not, in particular, sad, as you know that they live on through that and impact the lives of many. Just touching.
If it had just been about death, I may not have thought this so touching. (Though admittedly, the masterful use of the star's death reference was definitely a deciding factor. Something not too obscure, but not dampening in simplicity.)
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How did I miss this? I can't believe I never saw this poem. This poem is definitely a fitting tribute to an intellectual. There's a reason this genius was friends with you, Kimi.
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That means a lot, coming from you, as always.
Right now I am grieving so, so (much?) (hard?) (incredibly?) (choose your own adventure?)
It's hard to see past the fact that my "genius" was so wasted. That I loved him with all my heart, and that circumstances prevented me from being there in his final days---so he had to leave me a note. That makes me feel horrible and special at the same time.
Thanks again. Your friendship means so much to me, and we are so far apart (emotionally??
(distantly?) (conversationally?) that I miss having interactions with you. Losing Josh put everything in perspective....you can't hold on to something that God is taking away.
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I like the stellar imagery, how you've incorporated the 'bright shining light' theme and the star simile; it's appropriate given the subject. I also like that it's an honor poem written from the heart about someone you care about. It reminds me of 'To an Athlete Dying Young'. I enjoyed reading this and found the tone to be appreciative but also bittersweet. I liked the alliteration there at the end, I thought it a nice touch.
An astronomer more familiar than I am with the details of what happens when stars die would probably have some suggestions for you on how you might make your imagery even better. As it stands though, I think it's a shining example of heartfelt sentiment and is something you should consider reading at his funeral. The other mourners would appreciate it. Unfortunate circumstances sometimes leads to good work; it has in this case.
Well done.
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I am so excited to meet someone here, on dA, as erudite as you! No offense to anyone at all, but the majority of people who read and comment on my work (certainly not all!) tend to be a little too young for every reference I make....I totally stole the titular phrasing from that poem...which far exceeds my own attempts.
It means quite a deal to me to know I have someone of your caliber wading through the cesspools of my gallery
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I'm pleased with your excitement! I think it's just a matter of effort and luck until you find a few kindred spirits with whom to connect. I am glad to read and comment on your work. (perhaps even more so now that I'm more familiar)
If your gallery contains gems like this one it shouldn't be described so disparagingly. Plus it makes me hesitate to venture there.
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Anyone would hesitate to venture into a cesspool....
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I really love this poem. I've read it several times and it never fails to affect me like it did the first time. The burning imagery throughout the piece ties everything together and stops the poem from being just another free verse defined only by enjambment...a great poem. Good work.
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I am incomprehensibly moved by your comment.
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I am so sorry my dear that you are going to lose someone so close to you. Even when death is sudden, with something so new.. to have that light snuffed so soon it's... there are no words. To watch that light slowly dim as it fights must be a million times worse. This poem I feel was a very worthy piece for the person you've described. His impact will be felt long after he is gone. As always, you're in my prayers. <3
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Why is death so saddening? Its an inevitable part of life, and perhaps he is better off free from the pain and confusion of life. Is it possible that the sadness is entirely selfish? That the ones they know don't want them to leave....but if that's the case, then why do I feel sad for him as someone that doesn't know him?Even if you factor in fear of the unknown, whether a soul exist of not, if it doesn't then the sadness is pointless because nothing ever mattered to begin with, and if it does then they are in a better place, free from pain and needs. I will probably never understand why death is saddening, but I can empathize.
Anyways I'm sorry you are going through this, but all I can do is hope that my perspective and thought may ease your pain.
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I think that the sadness is not because of a death--as you pointed out, we all face our demise at some point and it is unavoidable--but rather the separation from the ones we love. I love my friend, and I do believe in the immortality of his soul and hope to see him again when the time comes....but before that time, I will miss him. Is it selfish? Probably. However, I know that if I was dying I would want to know my friends love me and will miss me....but the most important part of the pathos of this situation is the waste of such a marvelous mind. My "genius" could have changed the world in incomprehensible ways...now, his gifts are wasted and that is the saddest part of all.
Thank you for your comments and the time it took you to write them out. I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks again.
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Far too soon.
Traveling away, somewhere in a distant lagoon...
-
I've known what is this about, since I read the first 5 lines.
Beautifull ! Sincere ! Emotional ! Straight shot from heart.
Sometimes ..just sometimes wind blows in a wrong dirrection...not the one we want to.
Live the three following months along with your friend to the fullest...
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glorious. i'm new but would appreciate the feedback of a fellow writer.
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put some links on my page and I'd be happy to look at them.
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I'm so sorry about your friend. There's still always a hope that he can survive, so I pray that all will be well.
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I'm so sorry about your friend. There are never really words that can express pain that comes with loss, but I wish I could say something to make your friend feel better. And, most importantly, you. Because you have to move on, eventually. I'm sorry.
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Ah, it's such a sad poem, though not like most of the sad ones on here, I'm not sure what to say.
To be technical about it, I like the alliteration of the 'b' sound towards the beginning of the last stanza, and the occasional rhyme in there.
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As dearly as I love you Avenvia, I know you're not prone to effusive emotional displays. Embracing that fact by simply admitting ignorance on how to best council me is a welcomed and rare attitude.
I'm glad you liked the form--and your opinion that this isn't the Archetype of "sad" poems here on dA.
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Ah, I'm glad you think so. I'm so terrible and knowing how to react to bad news that I can't even do it when it's my own bad news. Maybe I'm just too English - stiff upper lip and all?
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You really are a blessed person Kimi.
Midst all the sadness and the sorrow, I'm sure you will have a beautiful tomorrow.
You embody what a true poet stands for, poetry from the heart. Being so open in your pieces, just comes so naturally for you, others have to work twice as hard. For this, I applaud you, for your courage.
I'm sure you will stand by your friend and see him through, I know (from experience) that is what would mean the most to him and make his days here happier and even longer. Your friend will be in my prayers tonight.
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I am considerably dumbfounded by such kind and profound sentiments. I do believe I am blessed, even though I'm hurting right now.
Your comments on my abilities as a poet made me tear up. The way you see me is how I want the world to see me. I would consider myself to be a "confessional poet"--like Plath or Sexton--in that I write what I live; the good and the bad.
Thank you for your prayers. Most people don't understand that a small prayer can change the world. I'm glad you do.
Thank you so much for your comment and the time you took to write it.
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I do believe the whole Newton 3rd law of motion/Theory of Karma(whichever you fancy) life application idea. Good begets more good. Whatever I say I feel you truly deserve. You're a good hearted person sweetie, I can tell from your writings.
Yeah definitely, I can see it in you. 45 Mercy Street brings me to a place of strange nostalgia inside and leaves tinkering upon the darker shades of the human soul.
You don't need to thank me for the prayer, its the least I could do. I still believe that there exist people who understand power of an honest smile, an outstretched hand, a simple prayer, or even a few genuine words of kindness. I really hope they're numbers increase soon though.
You are always welcome and if you ever feel like need a random someone to talk to, I can be a good candidate.
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...really hope [their] DUMB TYPO numbers increase soon though...
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i guess that we all know the end. doesn't matter what we do, we can't keep our hearts beating forever. but eternal life can be granted by the ones we love, the ones that care about us. eternal life is to be remembered even if it's by a single soul, we live through the memory that remains in this realm...
a friend of mine is sick and we are waiting for the test to tell us what he has. it may be heart-related. I just can't feel sastisfied until I see him out of his bed. I just hope everything goes OK for him.
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you talk about how we can live forever...do you mean that we have a soul?
In my experience with medical testing (which is considerable) the longer it takes you to get the results the more benign the condition. Case in point: my friend that I've eulogized went in for an MRI for headaches. MRIs can take two weeks even to get the results back....but his doctor called him that very evening because of the size of his tumor. They wanted to start treatment immediately.
I say this because if you've waited two or more days for the results of this test, you are probably in the clear or have a minor situation. This of course is simply based on anecdotal evidence and my personal experiences, so bear that in mind.
I will pray you and your friend that everything is fine or minimal, and that this trial brings blessings upon you both--not burdens.
I'd like to know the results when they come in, if you don't mind. I mean, you can simply say "bad" "good" or however you want to describe it without breaching your sense of anonymity.
Thank you for reading this and sharing your thoughts. I know that commenting on a poem can be tedious, but I feel good knowing that in some small way we connected.
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well, this isn't the way i would like to be connected with anyone.
no, i don't mean that we have a soul, we just leave shadows for the ones that are still here. but it's too difficult to think out of the box and be remembered, when the world is full of new inventions each day.
i'm not a believer, my friend is, but I still appreciate that you want to prey for him. my way of hinking this situation is that we have to suck it up and wait for the results. doesn´t matter what i do, i can't change anything. like a book that i can't write my own end. i'm powerless in that sense.
i'm really sorry for your friend... but i can tell, he had a great friend. a friend who could make a poem this beatiful, and show it to the world. someone who tried to keep his light bright and holding to him even if she knows the ending.
My fear of my friend getting an operation grows stronger, i'll tell you what i know, every day I get a notice. just sucking it up and reminding how i need to valorate evrything at hand right now.
thanks for replying, talking about it makes me sad, but better.
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Cancer sucks.
(sorry for the double post)
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Perhaps we are simply waiting for a day in which He takes charge and eradicates anything evil or wrong---and let the light and the good flood the earth like the great deluge.
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I read this out to my brother & we both are amazed & moved by this so darn much.
I am sorry about your Genius......
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I am too. Thank you for your condolences and taking the time to write them. It makes things easier. Thank you.
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