Reanimated Lavender Granola Switchblade Nun rides again.

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Constancy Of The Moon

Christmas bells rang my head--
to,
fro,
or maybe it was just the Colt 45.

The moon used to cradle me in her curve while I slept--
she always whispered,
"Little girl,
take this silver dollar
and buy a ticket home to me."

Texas Jim rang my head--
to,
fro,
or maybe it was just the December wind.

I would leave here, head south,
if only I could stand up.

The moon used to cradle me in her curve while I slept--
she always whispered,
"Little girl,
take this silver dollar
and buy a ticket home to me."

Christmas bells ring my head--
to,
fro,
echoing in the alley between the churches--
I would come to Jesus
sure enough,
if only I could stand up.
_____

for Real Toads OLM

20 comments:

  1. I love the repetition in this poem. The "trick" you played (at least on me) as I expected "valley" and got "alley" instead.

    It's nice that you're back to cracking the whip with those spirits of yours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I, too, like the repitition. I hope you are having a great holiday, Shay!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This has a tiny twist of coal black floating in the mixer--just enough to keep it real--I've always thought that line about the moon being inconstant was hooey--she changes expressions but never her self--she fades and dwindles but she always comes back. Much more subtle and authentic than always being shiny and hot. A fine sad note ringing out here, to and fro.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The end of a year requires one to see beyond the festivities to the fact that a new year is about to make its demands - no wonder the speaker longs for the promises of the past and suffers the ennui of present.

    ReplyDelete
  5. memories or nightmares from the past...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Effective use of repetition...I like the poignancy "if only I could stand up"

    ReplyDelete
  7. nice...love the refrain shay...cradled in the moon sounds like a lovely place to be...and love her beckon as well...feels a bit sombre....

    ReplyDelete
  8. chilling stuff.esp the colt.45.loved the to and fro swing.brilliant again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A standing ovation for the repeated line "if only I could stand up"!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Damn, this is cool! Lonely, earthy . . . I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So much of life would change if only we would ignore

    "If only."

    Well written, thought - provoking poem.

    ReplyDelete
  12. great write here! I love the repeated stanza - "
    The moon used to cradle me in her curve while I slept--
    she always whispered,
    "Little girl,
    take this silver dollar
    and buy a ticket home to me."

    it's poignant - but powerful and emancipatory and free in a way too - nice!

    ReplyDelete
  13. you are a true poet, Shay



    Aloha from Waikiki
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

    ><}}(°>

    ReplyDelete
  14. The last stanza is...well, it's perfect, Shay.

    Hope your Christmas was extra merry for both you and Bosco.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the Moonlady and reading this was like a soothing lullaby to her. Thank you for sharing your words, Shay. It is no small thing. xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. gosh, that photo took me straight to Georges Melies (and the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret) and rooted me in a particular space to receive these words. whoosh.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Church, Jesus, the moon, drink-everyone's looking for something to come home to. Poignant write, Shay.

    ReplyDelete
  18. "I would come to Jesus
    sure enough,
    if only I could stand up."

    you'd think Jesus would go to those who can't stand up.

    great song, too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fascinating how the image, music and your poem worked in tandem ... yes, another gem.

    ReplyDelete

Spirit, what do you wish to tell us?