Well, this is truly the "end" of my Tarifan sojourn - sob! It is based on something I seem to remember Nelson Mandela saying in his inaugural speech, about "it is not our darkness which frightens us; it is our light"... or words to that effect, I think. Oh well, time to get the hot water bottle out again, I suppose... K xx
SHUTTER
Early morning darkness thins, grows watery
as light’s astringency takes hold.
Already, in pre-dawn’s limpid grey,
shadows declare substance real --
though still cloaked and invisible.
Not dusk, but dawn
brings with it disquiet:
soon, sheer brilliance will
define this day’s potential,
highlight possibilities,
spotlight strengths and weaknesses
that lie within.
… Better to remain darkly dull --
evade the light which might expose,
call forth, cause growth
to be acknowledged,
then fulfilled.
Shutter the windows,
go back to bed --
keep closed to
provoking veiled secrets.
superb ambiance ... yes, sometimes we refrain from really looking into ourselves ....
Reviewed by Katy Walsvik (Reader)
Reviewed on August 13, 2005
Sometimes, like now, Kate, me sweet, I realize that I've climbed inside what appear to be words on a screen, but are really thoughts in my head and you've written them back to me. Of course, before I read you, they are in chaos, hardly recognizable as thoughts at all... your telling of dark and light, your metaphorical layers make it crystal, never shedding any part of the beauty or the wonder... but geniusly allowing me to gaze at how it is done, when it's done right. You are,indeed, a poet's poet. Bless you, my dear... katy xox
"… Better to remain darkly dull --
evade the light which might expose,
call forth, cause growth
to be acknowledged,
then fulfilled."
I love this verse, Kate, it is the epitomy of seen duality, the duality of who we are through circumstances, beliefs, happenings and uncertainty compared to who we tell ourselves we can be, the who of what we can see we could be, if perpetual fear weren't so viciously tenacious and self-destroying. I am an expert in this kind of inner repetoire, your piece held me with dark arms of comfort and companionship, gifting me, as the understanding reader, with, of all things, hope. Thank you, Poet.
Such deep underlying emotion accompanies this writing. The current has such a strong forceful pull, that I wanted to reach my hand to you in an effort to save you from all those substances that really do take form in the light, and to whisper gently to you, as I would a small frightened child, that everything is alright. Those veiled secrets may not be as provoking as one would imagine them to be while lying in darkness. In fact, those same secrets could hold a pleasant surprise! The light of this world is a powerful, mighty, wonderful, miracle working force. Yes, I believe in miracles. I have seen them occur. So whatever it is in your life, that may cause you to want to hide in the darkness; to close the shutters of your mind to keep from facing the truth, I would like to say this,...just a little "faith can move mountains". There is a greater power than man, that can move obstacles from the path that you trod, so that you can greet each new day with a smile on your face, and a beautiful new song in your heart, and with an energy and an eagerness to enjoy your life in the light; to hurriedly open those shutters! .........Between the lines that you wrote, there were many lines that you did not write, and those unwritten, unacknowledged, lines cried to be sounded, and I heard them. Love, Leah
The irony of it all is, that from which we shield ourselves is what intrigues us the most. I suppose we can call it fear of the unknown or a desire to hold ourselves back from inevitable growth and responsibility. I, for one, honor and adore both the sunrise and the sunset for within their shadowy veils they hold the surprise and promise of life renewed. This is a wonderful piece, Kate and one I will be saving in my library to savor again and again.
Take care,
Sherry
A many layered poem Kate superb depiction of
shadows we wish to surround ourselves with so
we don't have to face the reality of what we
truly are! Most times, we prefer the dream of
what we would like to be, but are afraid to speak
it into being for fear of the changes necessary
to make it happen.
Love,
Eileen
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on August 11, 2005
Sounds like someone depressed to me.. Not that it could be you. You jolly old thang!!! With laughter still as fast as a wee kid.
Yet by such depth I suspect you know of the likes...
Always be like a sun flower that you are. Always keep on following the sun and Son...
That last line says so much sweet Kate, "keep closed to provoking veiled secrets" hints at so much of the rest of the poem's story line but makes the reader or at least me reread and take a second mind picture as to your message. I will miss your Terifan sojorn but I am sure you will continue to excite and tease us with your own special forms of word paintings.
Hugs,
Pops
We tend to be more of our own shadows more thatn anything. We are afraid of the truth, we are afraid of being judged hence we are afraid of being ourselves. So we'd rather draw the curtain and hide in the closets thn face looking in the mirror or seeing our shadows.
Everyone wishes to have truth on his/her side, but few want to be on the side of the truth. Sometimes we ask, who am I, why am I here. But we don't get the answer. Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Brilliant write, Kate.
Here I am hiding in the shadows today and wondering why it's so hard to break out and BE me. Your verse about the revelation that comes (also when light touches who we are and what we do) was particularly instructive, i.e. the resulting growth would demand some action on our part. tiptoeing toward the light, Dawn
I love to walk in the shadows of doubt, never looking for the truth that will solve the mystery that I have wrapped myself in and in the day when the sun breaks through I run to close the shutters of my mind and remain in the shadows of self doubt.. Your poem speaks of the fears that some people have of facing life with what ever it brings because of their insecurity and lack of self worth, which they feel will be exposed if they venture forth. Splendid write.
which they do not want to expose and be judged upon.
Early Works is an exhaustive compilation of the first decade of the poems and stories of Z.B.McClure. Included are family photos, rare personal photos, photos of 1st draft manuscripts of many of his early poems. Also some biography and memoir materia
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evade the light which might expose,
call forth, cause growth
to be acknowledged,
then fulfilled."
I love this verse, Kate, it is the epitomy of seen duality, the duality of who we are through circumstances, beliefs, happenings and uncertainty compared to who we tell ourselves we can be, the who of what we can see we could be, if perpetual fear weren't so viciously tenacious and self-destroying. I am an expert in this kind of inner repetoire, your piece held me with dark arms of comfort and companionship, gifting me, as the understanding reader, with, of all things, hope. Thank you, Poet.
Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in america, karen lynn in texas. :D
Trainee Poet
Take care,
Sherry
Carmen :-)
shadows we wish to surround ourselves with so
we don't have to face the reality of what we
truly are! Most times, we prefer the dream of
what we would like to be, but are afraid to speak
it into being for fear of the changes necessary
to make it happen.
Love,
Eileen
Yet by such depth I suspect you know of the likes...
Always be like a sun flower that you are. Always keep on following the sun and Son...
Hugs,
Pops
Everyone wishes to have truth on his/her side, but few want to be on the side of the truth. Sometimes we ask, who am I, why am I here. But we don't get the answer. Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Brilliant write, Kate.
God bless,
Sandie.
which they do not want to expose and be judged upon.