Someone else’s problem—a poem

bare tangled winter tree with other bushes, bird feeder and confusing light effects,
Someone else’s problem. Do we even see the same problem?

Someone else’s problem

You know what it's like
to know a fact that everybody knows
and to tuck it away, ho hum
as something someone else should do

and then one day the implications
hit you (who knows why) and you see
the colour and feel and implications
you see it applies to you

your scalp whistles 
and your hair floats
with the force 
of the fact seen new

But when you try to explain
your 3D neon vision
they tuck it away, ho hum, not new
and maybe so do you

A lonely epiphany has a point for sure
it cleans you out 
But if it doesn't lead to cleaning up
it's not worth tuppence.

That burning bush
where will I put it?
on a billboard
or in the bottom drawer? 

Another poem hot off the press or rather, unfinished. This one will change or disappear.

Someone else’s problem: a lonely epiphany. I dare say you’ve had one too.

I wonder what problem you have in mind… Could be anything.

11 thoughts on “Someone else’s problem—a poem

  1. Good poem! I think problems are most problematic when I can’t get another person to understand because we come from different life experiences.

  2. The longer we live, the more likely we will recognise those moments we didn’t get for other people – retrospective empathy. I rather like a whistling scalp and floating hair – hard won. XX

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      I think that’s true. Though it still catches me by surprise

  3. auntyuta says:

    I have I have some more or less huge problems. But I try not to think about them too much. Maybe some of my problems are going to become my children’s problems once I am gone . . .

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      That’s tricky. I hope that doesn’t feel like yet another problem?

  4. An apropos expression on this Canada Day as we grapple with our colonial past and the historical genocide of our native peoples. How many unmarked graves of small bones must be unearthed before we all “…see
    the colour and feel and implications
    you see it applies to you

    your scalp whistles
    and your hair floats
    with the force
    of the fact seen new”/

    With gratitude,
    Lorna

  5. Sadje says:

    So well said Rachel. Someone else’s problem can soon morph into our worry too.

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Take care.

      1. Sadje says:

        Thanks 🙏

  6. If you’ve read the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you know that Somebody Else’s Problem (SEP) was a force field that made things invisible. 🙂

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      I did read it but forgot that bit. Thanks for telling me. Perfect. Call it a literary allusion 🙂

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