Sameen
This has a dreamy, drifting quality that suits the question it keeps asking. The movement from wind to tomb to womb to sea gives it a nice floating feeling, like the speaker is searching for a shape and can't settle. The repeated question works as a kind of refrain, but the poem starts to circle itself without moving much. The line about the clouds crying is pretty and hints at something deeper, but it disappears too quickly. A little more pressure on that image, or one concrete memory, would make the wondering feel more urgent and less like a mood. Still, the mystery is well sustained.
2026-08-25

Jamsbo Rockda
Great stuff. Topped off with a great line "Is that why sometimes the clouds they cry?". Do we ever really know?.
2026-08-12

Melinda K Zarate
Alan,

This is a beautiful, thoughtful piece of self-reflection. I don't know you except for on here and I know a bit about who I believe you are. You are a loving husband, a thankful grandfather, a wonderful poet, a friend to many, a person who has persevered and continue to persevere through hardships of many kinds.

But this poem is deeper than that. One thing I believe strongly is that no matter from whence we came, we will continue to exist past this body's expiration date, our spirit eternal.

Sincerely,
Melinda
2026-08-11