sarcophagus
by Jeff Mason — Read all 207 poems by Jeff Mason
...is breathing highly overrated?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
sarcophagus
n. pl. sarcophagi (-j ) or sarcophaguses
A stone coffin, often inscribed or decorated with sculpture.
feel the walls now so heightened;
impenetrable...
a noose that rubs so raw is ever-tightened
no sound shall ever permeate here -
this grave in which we lie;
LIE!
would that we could fit again
like cogs of sleek and seamless machination
in perfect synergy
and these burdening slate gray walls would lift,
and our spirit fires be lit within;
borne on raw imagination
instead we cannot breathe
nor shout above the deafening din
of this fatal somber silence
now cutting to the bone;
trapped in skin so pale and thin,
here drenched in dying echoes
of such cold unyielding stone
years of hope beset
with salt of burning tears;
a veil of silvered smoke that blinds the eyes
from when they once could see
beyond their shallow senseless fears
two souls now moan
so weary worn and wilted
left bereft of any chance
to ever be redeemed
upon unsteady axis all alone
they falter; tilted stilted;
in what is now a darkened dance
that overshadows all
that they had ever hoped and dreamed.
mid groaning wails of false confession
as fire, to rise and drift
and only subtle smoke to sift
some platitude of feigned concession
the air so stale begins to choke;
constricting life from
chest and throat
now frail the love that once so thrived;
yet now entombed in utter desecration
the window's clarity now opaque;
no longer is the truth derived
from this now-broken dedication
and beating last,
from arid thirst
two hearts now stop;
their fate been cast...
in hindsight --
from the very first.
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and beating last,
from arid thirst
two hearts now stop;
their fate been cast...
in hindsight --
from the very first.
yup...indeed
stupendous write..
Vesna
Mary
Chanti
I have to agree with Richard's wisdon below. So many are locked in empty relationships and futile situations gasping for breath...but hang tightly to the hope that thre are more tomorrows out there waiting for the escape.
Although very dark, this has an exceptional air of beauty and elegance with a silght twist of an ending taking the reader to the beginning of the beginning rather than a new one.
Beautifully done Jeff...priveleged to have an advance peek!
Love,
Taylor
Peace & Love, Dove
This construct bites the reader deep with the utter frustration of someone finally giving up and relegating what was hoped for to the cold tomb of failure.
I would say, from this in his early fifties writer, and one who has been on the rollercoaster of disillusionment and failure too many times, that all is not for naught.
The garden will blossom again after the pruning, and the blossoms will again be fragrant and plentious.
Stand Strong ...
Richard Lloyd Cederberg
For some reason the theme of "Love Story" came to mind reading the last few lines!!
This is Well Written Jeff!!
Warm Love Tinka