Wailing in the oceans
like a mourner at the tombs;
ghosting through the mountains
like a widow in her weeds;
streaming down my windows
like a combat-bloodied nose;
hissing through gritted teeth
between grinding tyres and tarmac;
shrouding streets in whiteout snow
that says: “No more! No more!”
Beating on my deathly thoughts
its executioner’s drum roll…
My cracked earth is in full flood
and I carry my drowning with me,
rocking it my offspring
in tender cradled arms,
my fragile life an Ark cast out
upon its tragic deeps.
Only sorrow has been forecast
with no Ararat in sight.
"I carry my drowning with me,"
a wonderful line, Kate. This entire poem is a sweeping, dramatic piece in the tradition of some of the great poets.
I came by twice before read, left, and actually thought I'd reviewed it. LOL. ~~Nordette
Ahh, the waters may indeed be sad but the soul of the poet's wisdom flowing through this turbulence of gloom strikes me as the Ararat that one might anticipate. Such a fine thing the way the beauty of each line so graciously illuminates the melody of sorrow. The reader is pulled just deep enough inside to appreciate the integrity of the truth shared then released to catch one's breath again, or dive courageously back into the waves and stare the weeping waters down. Stunningly beautiful and beautifully stunning on every level.
Aberjhani
Being able to keep ourselves afloat and navigating the choppy waters of life is insistent upon us perfecting our mental buoys. A perfect metaphor for an African water drum, where you adjust the water in the drum for different soulful sounds. If only adjusting our own personal water cisterns could be this easy. Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Waters plays on my CD after this, Kate.
Sage
Reviewed by Vesna Perkovic (Reader)
Reviewed on February 12, 2006
Only sorrow has been forecast
with no Ararat in sight.
alas ..no Ararat,,maybe Noah will help us find the way..
now matter how the waters of life overcome you at times, i have no doubt you'll keep your head afloat ... i really like your voicing in this one, Kate ...
An exceptionally creative idea, Kate. Beautifully expressed. I often think of the ocean as the voice of God. And yes, I do think He is often sad. I really like your last two lines. It's a gray cold "Sunay in the Say-outh too." But since I'm here, rainy England sounds more romantic.
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on February 12, 2006
Funny just read your comment. I felt this brings home a real English gray day on a sunday afternoon. Ray Davis could not do much better. Yup even at my tender years, I do know who Ray Davis is..
This does have that dreary, leafless cold drizzling affect..
Listeng to ELP to add to the misery..
Heeeeyyyy!! Makes it sound like a Boney M moment: "By the rivers of Babylon..." Aww, Sweet People, I'm OK... just tryin out how I look in Black. Plus a wintry, rainy English Sunday afternoon and Sylvia Plath... well, you know the score... Prayers is good, though... I won't say "No" to those, bless you! LOL K xx :))
Sweet Kate, this is such a sad lament, made me want to go down by the river and cry until I was drowning in my own river of tears. I am hoping this is just a hormone moment and not an indication of your responsibilities or illness sucking the life from you. I keep you in my prayers, Kate, and hope that tomorrow brings sunshine to your day.
Take care,
Sherry
Ahhh sweet Kate as always you roll our your poem in and orderly and neat fashion building to a crescendo like a drum roll. This like most of your other poems passionately builds your statement to it's obvious conclusion but tempers it with just the perfect dash of hope to keep our spirits up. I am glad I got up out of bed and saw this sweet Kate.
Sometimes we have to grit our teeth in life, and batten down the hatches Kate !
Very often God sends us Blessings in Disguise Kate, be resilient and
enduring, there is a reason for everything...
Peter
Such a splendid poem Kate! Fortunately all the water isn't sad mine has been very beneficial of late."His Name Is Wonderful";-)
I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite poem of yours they have all been incredible lately!...Eileen^
From the author of Jupiter Remembered and Until It’s Time: Embracing Life In Our Later Years comes Petals of Love: Poetry of a Woman’s Soul – a heartfelt collection spanning more than thirty-five years. Through tender reflections, these poems offer g
(Self-published. Please contact author directly to order.)
Enter the pages of diaspora in quiet introspection. Bathe your thoughts with subtle humor; synchronize your spirit-sense with history-in-heat; fall headlong with eyes wide open into
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a wonderful line, Kate. This entire poem is a sweeping, dramatic piece in the tradition of some of the great poets.
I came by twice before read, left, and actually thought I'd reviewed it. LOL. ~~Nordette
Aberjhani
Sage
with no Ararat in sight.
alas ..no Ararat,,maybe Noah will help us find the way..
Food for thought..
well done Kate..
vesna :)
much too sad, but hopefully the water will recede. ;)
This does have that dreary, leafless cold drizzling affect..
Listeng to ELP to add to the misery..
BTW I'M YOUR 7000 Review..xx
But the imagery is brilliant!!
Love Tinka
Take care,
Sherry
Such sadness today; hope you are well. You are in my prayers; I care for you! Very well done; brava!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :(
Daddy is having his surgery tomorrow; pray all goes well; will keep you up to date~
Such melancholy in your words today...but there is a shining hope, as well. Hang onto that Ark and don't let go...you're ever in my prayers.
Excellently penned--well done!
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Felix
Very often God sends us Blessings in Disguise Kate, be resilient and
enduring, there is a reason for everything...
Peter
I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite poem of yours they have all been incredible lately!...Eileen^
I truly believe it is, as is the rest of Mother Earth's beleagured domain these days.
Hang on Tight to that Ark, Kate; I know you can ride out the storm.