November Memories

 

"November Memories" by John Duffy is a poignant exploration of nostalgia, using fiery imagery to depict the painful yet comforting process of reliving memories to feel close to a lost loved one. 

The poem, which features a rhythmic, song-like structure, highlights a paradoxical longing for the past, where the speaker embraces the suffering of memory to feel the presence of the departed once more

(A lone voice whispers) 

Blessed be

Velumbound

Like a fire

Burning deep inside

Running wild

Like a child

On Bonfire Night

I no longer fight

But go real close

To embrace

My old ghosts

Burning

On Memory Lane

Causing me pain

But I love it

Love it

Love it

For you live again

Again

I love how it feels

Even though

It's unreal

I can feel it

Calling me home

Into the flames

I've always known

Like a fire

Burning deep inside

Running wild

Like a child

On Bonfire Night

I no longer fight

I hold the flame

I speak your name

You live again

Again

But go real close

To embrace

My old ghosts

Burning

On Memory Lane

Causing me pain

But I love it

Love it

Love it

For you live again

Again

I love how it feels

Even though

It's unreal

And causes me

So much pain

Though it's unreal

I still believe

Every burning memory

Brings you back

To me

Like a fire

Burning deep inside

Running wild

Like a child

On Bonfire Night

I no longer fight

I hold the flame

I speak your name

You live again

Again

Like a fire

Burning deep inside

Love it

Love it

Though it hurts

You live

Again

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

Jah knows me

Jah knows me" is an introspective song about self-discovery, identity, and inner spirituality. 

The lyrics emphasize that one's true essence transcends physical appearance, body, or social labels.

Press play is you agree. 

The Sword of Christ

"The Sword of Christ" is a song that delivers a message regarding judgment and accountability.

The lyrics focus on themes of divine retribution, suggesting a time is coming when those who have acted against their conscience or participated in corruption will face consequences.

Need a lift?

"Oh He Comes" is a musical track featuring a blend of rhythmic, percussive elements and vocal themes centered on themes of healing, movement, and spiritual arrival.

Press play. 

Want something to listen to?

 The Wedding Vows is a poetic and lyrical composition centered on the themes of eternal love, spiritual connection, and the nature of commitment. 

Throughout the song, the lyrics challenge traditional symbols of marriage—like a simple gold ring—in favor of a deeper, soul-level unification. 

Press play. 

1

 

A hauntingly beautiful text that reads like a profound psychological and spiritual transition.

Moving away from the clinical weight of analysis and toward emotional liberation.

Stopping the endless loop of trying to figure out "why" something happened. 

Absolution means forgiveness and a clean slate.

The Fading Mind:

 "Memories float away" suggests that the sharp, painful details of the past are losing their grip. 

They are no longer heavy anchors.

The Lantern Metaphor:

New Year's Eve lanterns carry away old wishes and regrets. 

They burn brightly, look beautiful, and then vanish into the dark.

Where memories are being transformed into something beautiful but distant.

The Act of Letting Go.

 The Shift in Power:

"A lone voice whispers" suggests an internal, solitary breakthrough. 

It does not require validation from anyone else.

Unconditional Release:

"I say a silent prayer as you are released."

Is this the ultimate form of closure? 

Wishing well to the person or past version of yourself that caused pain, sending them away with peace instead of malice?

The Unknown Future:

"Somewhere" acknowledges that you no longer need to know where they are, what they are doing, or how they feel.

You have completely unhooked your identity from their story.

Title. 

Have you undergone absolution? 

(A lone voice whispers) 

"As my memories float away like New Year's Eve lanterns. 

I say a silent prayer as you are released, somewhere."

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

The Journal

 

Have you got a journal? 

A poem about catharsis and healing through self-spiritual destruction. 

A sanctuary that exists to take on the heavy, messy, and painful parts of the human experience so that people can start fresh.

Title. 

The Journal

Some look to me for things they no longer see

Some look to me for things they no longer feel

Some tear me inside and out until they are worn out

But you know

It's why I was sent

To help them rebuild

By getting all their hidden pain out

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

The Preacher

 

(A lone voice whispers) 

If my light

I with you share

Don't try to tear me down with preaching

For that my child

Would be unfair

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

This stanza speaks directly to the human experience of setting boundaries. 

It serves as a reminder that offering kindness or sharing your life with someone is not an invitation for them to judge, try to control, or correct you.

Life

 

(A lone voice whispers) 

Like a viral wind

We flow around everything

Until the wind stops

(575) 

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy

Senryū focuses on human nature, everyday life, and relationships.

Structurally, a senryū consists of three unrhymed lines following a 5-7-5 syllable structure (17 total syllables).

The Taylor

 

Are you a Taylor too? 

A poem accepting that controversy and misinterpretation are permanent conditions of living as an artist.

The symbolism of the Apple serves as a powerful biblical allusion. 

The green apple symbolises purity, temptation, and the origin of human consciousness.

To "bruise" the apple implies that the art possesses a raw, disruptive truth capable of altering innocence itself, striking a blow against rigid moral perfection. 

Title.

The Taylor. 

(A lone voice whispers) 

I'll forever stand accused of so many wild things. 

And all its indelible noises.

But I'll keep stringing words together like one of the world's greatest tailors.

To create poetry, writing, music and art so seductive - it would leave Eve's green apple bruised.

That sometimes I think about what some say. 

On a Midsummer Night Day. 

Encouraging someone is never overused. 

So, I'll bravely stand accused and abused. 

With whatever I create. 

Right out of the blue. 

(C) 

Copyright John Duffy.