Wordsmith’s Prayer (11th March 2009)
I thought that language was common, something we shared
But the words that leave your lips, they sound like prayer;
In ivory cascades, you flutter down the page;
Undisturbed silence all that greets the things you say;
Unwind the cords, those stretched voices that bind;
Undo the ties, those promises that blind;
Unleash into the dark those dulcet sounds;
Release your ark, and save all those that drowned;
There is no death, only absence of life;
There is no truth, only absence of lies.
You say that Jesus is the only one that saves;
A sacrifice: watch me step out into the waves;
Walking on surfaces was never my forte;
I sink into the storm; an angel kneels to pray.
Where does one story end, the next begin?
Blacken your door with my pathway of sin;
You shape your words to fit around my life,
Hold out your hands, palm up to bear the knife;
Ashes from fire, and blood to wash the shore,
Your lips in constant motion, as before;
My humble lines lie lost and crumpled at your feet;
What is the cost? Your laments go on as I still bleed.
Where does one story end, where does the next begin?
Pour water, ashes, blood and words over my sin;
I’ll bathe in language as if it’s something we share;
I’ll offer up my humble words to join yours, bare.
Rewind the cords, those voices will be bound;
Redo the ties, those promises abound;
Call back from the dark those violent sounds;
Capture your ark, care not for those that drowned;
There is no life, just an absence of death;
There are no lies, just truth still unconfessed.
Comments
Dendrite | March 11, 2009 - 16:05
If this came to you during breakfast, what were you eating? Just kidding, I liked this a lot, it’s very risky/challenging.
threeleafshamrock | March 11, 2009 - 19:44
There is no death, only absence of life;
There is no truth, only absence of lies.
and then:
There is no life, just an absence of death;
There are no lies, just truth still unconfessed.
Breakfast time on your boat could be even more interesting than supper - and that is saying something ;) A tester in places but as a whole hugely enjoyable! A 'Wordsmith' you surely are! I love playing with words and therefore enjoy other's games.
Chris X
MistakenMagic | March 12, 2009 - 19:19
'Unleash into the dark those dulcet sounds;
Release your ark, and save all those that drowned;'
- Love these lines Jen. Brilliant, soothing poem with some exquisite imagery :)
Magic xxx
jennifer | March 12, 2009 - 21:01
Thank you everyone!
Breakfast at my 'house'-boat is always interesting. I eat in my galley (kitchen) looking out at the wildlife on the river and the river itself flowing past. Since it is spring, there is usually a rutting pair of ducks, or a swan tapping on the window for some of my brekkie...
yesterday morning, there was a wallaby, hopping across the field...
J x
Dynamaso | March 12, 2009 - 23:14
Once again, I really enjoy the lyric-like quality of this. By now you must think my promises to put music to some of your words as empty but believe me, it is happening.
Incidentally, what is a wallaby doing in your neck of the woods?
jennifer | March 13, 2009 - 13:37
I live next to a country park - they have sheep, goats, llamas, wallabies, chickens... a few years ago, a few wallabies escaped and now live wild locally. They forage in the fields surrounding!
Hilarious to see them hopping across the maize stubble!
J x
Dynamaso | March 13, 2009 - 22:13
I'm surprised they didn't jump the first ship back home. I didn't think they'd like the cold. They are beautiful animals, though.
Curse of 222 | March 17, 2009 - 01:06
everything i read of yours (admittedly all poetry, so far) is so well crafted and evocative. if all it took was talent you'd have your nobel prize for literature and your works would hurt my wallet, so i am happy (if only for selfish reasons) that you are here.
222?