Fathers' throats fill with wind.
Stars bay like lost dogs
defending the edge of the world
from the shriek of memory.
Take my hand.
It is made of Egypt and empty windows.
I build monuments
to sparrows with royal souls.
I am dead, blown to the borders
of everything I am and was.
This little hill of baubles
is yours now to sell or sew into the sleeves of poems.
Mothers, strangers, mute myths of shadow,
leave me in peace at last.
I follow the fathers with their wind-throats
a girl again, sung to, willing to be fooled for a kiss.
_____
a second poem for Sunday Muse #121.
"Stars bay like lost dogs defending the edge of the world" is a winner for sure, as are so many other lines. I think my whales were trying to find this poem but got lost so just went back into the water.
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ReplyDeleteBest cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" all time.
ReplyDeleteThis one totally soars, Shay. Every single word makes up a spell of dark magic that nonetheless through all transformations retains its innocence, and its quality of the child, which is the closest we come to a perfect state of loving in our lives. The opening is like strong music, and the last three stanzas blew me away, full of nuance,full of image and symbol, yet utterly without pretense. The penultimate one made me shiver with its uncompromising truth and beauty. One of your best, and not less so because one of your more sparing with words--not one extra word is needed here; like a starry necklace, it's perfectly inlaid with just the right amount of jewels.
ReplyDeleteEvery line is a spectacular glimpse of life, loss and what we were and will be in our deepest of places! You have given us two amazing poems this this week my friend, but then again you always do. This is definitely a favorite one for me!! No one paints imagery upon the page quite like you Shay!! 🤩
ReplyDeleteThis one...you've conjured up some kind of emptiness that was forgotten and is welcome to re-discover.
ReplyDeleteYou lead us from one magic phrase to the next, dropping word pictures that take time to absorb, each a vignette to be considered. Such talent!!
ReplyDelete~~~ and I choose to sew jewels into the sleeves of my poems. Another breathtaking poem.
ReplyDelete"Stars bay like lost dogs." Exceptional! I love the "shriek of memory" and the "sparrows with royal souls." A gorgeous poem.
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous poem! I love this line "This little hill of baubles
ReplyDeleteis yours now to sell or sew into the sleeves of poems."
“Take my hand. It is made of Egypt and empty windows.”
ReplyDeleteI love that so much. Here is my offering—sand and air. Nothing at all to grasp or hold onto. How strangely beautiful.