One lung full while the other
constricts,
shrivels,
crushed beneath this weight
I can’t think, can’t
resist,
weakened
by the purchase of screws
I held myself down for
and bled my tears
listening to the
sweet sound
of mourning doves.
I have forgotten You
and I confess
sometimes I think You are gone,
abandoned me
for greener fields
of those more faithful.
But You say I am Your temple—
chained as I am to memory,
so please keep holding out keys
to this puzzle of wings
I am putting together
to fly away from ghostly apparitions
that visit me in my dreams.
They kiss me on the forehead
and keep me from the tiny living temples
that matter at all to me.
Serpent of haunting,
you’ve bitten, but you are crushed,
and I, while breathing in a whisper from the moon
through windows
streaming enlightened threads
in reflection of daylight,
in the back of my mind
I hear it
in each pump of blood
from my heart
I know
I know
I was meant to be free.
Copyright 2012 Jennifer Wagner
I'll be linking this to Poets United Poetry Pantry
Powerful poetry and so well created ~ Wow! ~ (A Creative Harbor) ~ aka 'artmusedog'
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Carol.
Deletewow...felt piece....the crushing weight....the promises there in the middle, ugh...and the knowing you were born for freedom in the end...i hope they find it...
ReplyDeleteI do too...
Deletethat is wonderful.. artfully crafted, beautifully woven... loved it... awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you very much deepak.
DeletePowerful. Intense. " Serpent of haunting,
ReplyDeleteyou’ve bitten, but you are crushed" Love that line!
Thanks Kiana--appreciate it!
DeleteNew visitor. Hoping you will answer my knock when I knock again.
ReplyDeleteThis was subtle in the personal emotional reaches yet quite poignant to my soul. thank you for sharing
Nene (newbie)
Thanks for visiting my blog nene, and for your very kind words.
Deleteso many wonderful lines in this piece - love the "serpent of haunting..." lines and the final "I was meant to be..." especially. Great write.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Streaming enlightened threads - love this line!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robyn!
DeleteThe last line rings as clarion call :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Pearl :)
DeleteThis is powerful and intense and has such a depth of knowledge. I love the seeming despair of this and yet, the leaving with the little ray of hope at the end for the freedom which they know is rightfully theirs.
ReplyDeletePhew.... wonderful write.
You are one of the best commenters ever Bren. Thank you.
DeleteGreat emotional lines until the closing line ~
ReplyDeleteI specially like these lines:
Serpent of haunting,
you’ve bitten, but you are crushed,
and I, while breathing in a whisper from the moon
Thank you Grace, always appreciate your words.
DeleteWow, this is a weighty well written poem. Saddened me greatly with its intensity.
ReplyDeleteI think 'weighty' is the perfect word for it Mary. And with an intense sadness. You always nail it.
Deleteso please keep holding out keys
ReplyDeleteto this puzzle of wings
I am putting together
to fly away from ghostly apparitions
that visit me in my dreams.
They kiss me on the forehead...
I love this image among the many visuals in your piece.
Thanks Kerry! I'm a big fan of the imagery you use in your writing, so this is a great compliment to me.
Deletepowerful stuff.wonderfully crafted.one could almost feel him gasping and panting.
ReplyDelete...or she...smiles...thanks so much Abin.
DeleteVery well written poetry. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brudberg, love your haiku.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this emotionally riveting poem. You have some wonderful images and I especially love the "puzzle of wings' the speaker is putting together! Terrific! and your last lines ... so hopeful! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you WabiSabi! I am so glad to have been introduced to your blog--thanks for sharing YOUR work. I'm a big fan!
DeleteI feel the air hunger - and the hope. Great poem.
ReplyDeleteThank you Libby.
DeleteExcellent work here,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much T.
DeleteReally wonderful, wonderful write. Such a quietly powerful piece--I really loved this!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Audrey! I'm a big fan of your work, so your compliment really means a lot.
DeleteWhat an intense, beautiful poem. I love "and I, while breathing in a whisper from the moon".
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line of the piece--thank you Lisa, always love your thoughts on my writes.
DeleteSome powerful words and I love how it's laid out, freely but every word so carefully placed, really great. I also wrote of temples this week so doubly enjoyed your take.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds...:) Thanks rch.
DeleteJennifer. Quite simply, one of your best. And wow!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry. That is encouraging because I hesitated on posting it.
Deleteso much passion and beauty in your words
ReplyDeleteA lovely compliment wolfrosebud, thank you.
DeleteCrystal clear purity of thought. Well portrayed, Poet Laundry! Amazing...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...your thoughts always encourage me Panchali.
DeleteExcellent write.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
Thank you!
DeleteYou have stitched together so many fine images, deep with meaning and emotion. I am touched by the manner in which you weave despair and frustration with hope and possibility. This seems to emerge from the loom of a master weaver.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kim, thank you. Your words here really mean a lot to me. You always leave such great comments. And I'm a fan of your writing too.
DeleteThe opening, all the way to "screws", is enviably well-done. The piece overall is a great read, truly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack, I really appreciate your comment on it.
DeleteThis is such a powerful piece - we were all meant to be free. Thank you for writing, I love it!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, meant to be free...really glad you like it, thanks for commenting gorgeous man.
Delete