Incontinent we come into this world;
incontinent we leave it:
defenceless, cradled in
our mother’s arms.
Trailing clouds of heaven
streaks of sunset
streaming down the cheeks
of those whose hearts we leave love-lorn.
And those who find themselves
unloved, incontinent
are cradled in a heavenly embrace
they left this world too soon
or lingered, too-long lonely
their footsteps are
not difficult to trace
by One who knows the inner life of things
who lights our inner eye with spirit-life
where we’re not blind, incontinent in spirit
inspired only by time out of mind.
Incontinent, I do believe in heaven
I’ve glimpsed it in brief moments here on earth
and if you crave hellfire, I say have at it:
it’s been kindling around you since your birth.
Incontinent we burn in private hell
incontinent we leave it:
the way out is as narrow as it’s broad.
There’s space beyond for all who seek or need it;
love is the key: life opens with one word.
© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
Sharing with dVerse
I began writing this a while ago, when my youngest son was potty-training. It got me thinking about the different connotations of the word ‘incontinent,’ which are quite interesting when you begin to examine them. Sharing with dVerse Open Link Night.
The image is from William Blake’s Book of Los, taken from The William Blake Archive (public domain).
Experiments in Fiction 
This is my first time to read about this theme, smiles. I admire the whole last part & that concluding line of love:
Incontinent we burn in private hell
incontinent we leave it:
the way out is as narrow as it’s broad.
There’s space beyond for all who seek or need it;
love is the key: life opens with one word.
LikeLike
Thank you, Grace: it has lots of negative connotations doesn’t it? But I like the idea that we could turn those around…
LikeLike
“love is the key.” Yes, and in that final moment, remember being cradled in your mother’s arms.
LikeLike
I should hope so. Thanks Ken 🙏
LikeLike
I love how much you can get from the research of a single word… Still I feel the theme of life and how we arrive, live and leave.
LikeLike
Thanks Björn. It all came from celebrating having two continent children. And now I have an incontinent cat!
LikeLike
Hi Ingrid, enjoyed this… Quite an ambitious notion here – I admire the way you’ve broadened out your theme so successfully and you have certainly left me with something to ponder… I may tackle the potential of this myself some day. Thanks then also for the inspiration….
LikeLike
Thank you Scott, I am happy if my words inspired you!
LikeLike
This was really wonderful Ingrid. We leave this world the way we came – incontinent and usually toothless too! ☺️
LikeLike
Yes, something to look forward to…😳
LikeLike
All we need is love!
LikeLike
Indeedy!
LikeLike
There is so much truth in your poem, Ingrid, and honest exploration of a word we tend not to talk about. I love the sound of the phrase ‘lingered, too-long lonely’, so sad.
LikeLike
Thanks Kim. I do like to examine taboo subjects every now and then!
LikeLike
I liked this truth – “and if you crave hellfire, I say have at it: it’s been kindling around you since your birth.” Also the last line sticks. We just have to turn the key, in the right direction and look up not down!
LikeLike
Yes – looking down guarantees a fall! Thanks Tricia 😊
LikeLike
Welcome 🌸
LikeLike
Poets have no boundaries, other than those self-imposed, or agreed upon. I love the energy and spirit in this piece. There is tough love and poetry in the wheel of life. We come in and go out alone. I love the points you made about coming full circle.
LikeLike
Thanks Glenn!
LikeLike
I love your textured poem, Ingrid, and especially the last two lines. It’s the be-all universal healer <3
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa ❤️
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
Wow! There is so much in your poem “and if you crave hellfire, I say have at it: it’s been kindling around you since your birth.” oh, I love that line, This takes us through quite some layers of a not so simple word, Ingrid, and I love it. So well done.
LikeLike
Thank you Raivenne, I’m pleased this spoke to you.
LikeLike
Many things to celebrate and appreciate regarding this poem. An exploration of meaning, of both a word and life and death. Bravo, deep-thinking and heart-connected poet. 💓
LikeLike
Thank you Michele 💕
LikeLike
A profound write. I was captivated by the depth of it. Gorgeous imagery in that second stanza! A unique homage to the word “incontinent” as well.
LikeLike
Thank you Mish: I agree, it’s not often discussed in poetry!
LikeLike
I feel like I am living this poem right now while caring for my mom. The circle of life, no way around it. Very well said Ingrid.
Pat
LikeLike
That must be tough, I hope you are both coping well 🙏
LikeLike
We are, thank you🙂
Pat
LikeLike
love this poem Ingrid and love the explorarion of the word.
And the end said it all … Love!💖
LikeLike
Thanks Cindy: it’s all we need 😍
LikeLike
It sure is!! 💖
LikeLike
it truly is!! 💖
LikeLike
I see others have felt this too: the whole work flows so well, but the end is stunning.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Fascinating, simply fascinating!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Helen 😊
LikeLike
What a most interesting post. And you are exactly right. We come and go in the same manner. Well done!
LikeLike
Thanks Dwight. I watched ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ again the other night and that really helped me crystalise some of the ideas in the poem.
LikeLike
Very nice!
LikeLike
Yes ..
I was messy at start
Now I am a meesy old fart
LikeLike
😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
LikeLike
How wonderfully original and dealing with the messy side of life. This becomes very Blakeian but down to earth when I think about you potty training! This has been happening with my granddaughter too. We take a ladybird potty everywhere with us now too! Hope all going well. It seems to me a bit like reading, there is a sudden leap,mat some point and then no turning back! I guess when they are truly ready. I dread the later years of nappies again though. Wow what a poem!
LikeLike
Thank you! We are all through potty training now but we have a cat who likes to spray 🙄
LikeLike
So so much in your words.
LikeLike
Thank you Mary.
LikeLike
Our beginning and endings without power of so much, and yes, I see that in some ways, we can live our whole lives in this state. Adrift in our own waste. Great poem, Ingrid.
LikeLike
Thank you K!
LikeLike
Ingrid,
This feels like an honest reflection of our vulnerability in living. You have come at this theme from a different angle leaving me thinking. I always appreciate poems that leave me asking myself questions.
Keep sharing you voice,
Ali
LikeLike
Thank you Ali, I really appreciate your thoughtful comment 🙏
LikeLike
Aw love truly is the key.. felt this so hard 🥺💯❤️
LikeLike
Thank you Rishika 😊
LikeLike
Dark and deep but yet I felt the vulnerability in the living.
The way you used and defined the word ‘Incontinent’ is wow!
You got me thinking. I really like when a poem or books make one think.
LikeLike
Thank you – I try to challenge my own thinking sometimes.
LikeLike
And challenging one’s thinking will lead to making others think. That is the job of us readers to provoke thoughts and influence/or inspire others.
You did an excellent job. And you welcome. :)
LikeLike
There is still so much shame attached to bodies…I wonder if we will ever overcome it. (K)
LikeLike
I hope we will one day.
LikeLike
Keep writing ❤
LikeLike
Thank you, I intend to!
LikeLike