Poetry by Jared Ribardi

Lost and Can’t Be Found
By Jared Ribardi

Lost and can’t be found.
Wondering aimlessly among the worms and dirt.
You buried me deep in the recess. So deep
and dark. Discarded with the garbage like
there was no me.
Vivid memories of smiles and wonder.
But, yet I am. In my darkness I’ve found
what couldn’t be found. ME. The ME you
suppressed. The ME that you thought you’d
buried. What woe for you to find me among the
worms. A bloom. Watered from internal springs.
Far beyond you reach of destruction and gloom.
I’ll no longer be strangled with your lies. Your deceit.
For you can not destroy what you cannot give birth
to. Like the ones cut from your womb. And while you
carried burdens yourself, and buried yourself deep,
yes you. I groaned and cried. From the darkness and
blindness you chose to live in. One made from your
own demons. You were loved, and now not missed.
Not one tear. But for the ones who’s lives you have
spat on. I am in bloom. A bloom that nothing can
hinder. Behold, the progress you hindered.

For Mary, may you be at peace, for you will
not find mercy among the lies. Truth is to blinding!

What I Miss?
By Jared Ribardi

For Halley Ribardi, Patrick Burney, Sophia Ribardi, Abigail Ribardi, and John Jay Ribardi.
May your days be bright and full of light and love!

Time has passed, so much lost. Sleeplessness, worry, concern, and fear. But time has passed. Like a dreamy friend who comes to call, only to rob you blind. Time has passed. Like a dreamy friend who comes to call, only to rob you blind. Time has passed. Endless wakings and sleepless sleep. Time has passed. Days, weeks, months, years, and age. Oh age. Time has passed. This dream, this life, this endless dharma, so sweet it’s bitter. Time has passed. My waking to find this friend long gone, and with them all that was dreamed. Robbed blind by this friend so long endeared and loathed. Time has passed.

Robbed of so much held dear, but yet so much dearly given. On the day that I’d fight this thief, I find only a dream. A dream of time. And, time has passed. In having lost all, to gain so much the more. To experience what time was yet to give, brought on by the thief. Time has passed. I search for you thief. Give me what my dreams have brought. A karmatic release and loss to experience only to be dreamed once. Time has passed.

Who are you thief? What name do I give to the keeper of my life’s blood? What do I call the one that only can be found in a dream, but yet robs our every waking moment? Time, you are past.

Waking, what did I miss?