So many images and emotions were provoked by your poem. I don't always enjoy repetitions, but they have a hypnotic feel here.

In the end, I was left to ponder what those black stones are/may be. So many different things in life, I suppose.

Axilea

i agree Interesting!!!
done different

interesting!!

Robert:

I just don't know how you do it. You write the best poetry ever, and yet all seem so effortlessly. You are a born poet!!!!!!

Sandie May Angel :o)

Had some black stones in my kidney once--cut those suckers out with a pen knife and had em with some fliver beans and a nice chianti.

Unusual style for you. The repetition get darker and darker--very effective.

Ron

Symbolisms come clean in this Intense write Robert. I see the parallels of these stones as if they were crystal…well done as always.

Allen

This is a mythical poem. Reminds me of the meteorite shaped into a jewel, and then worn by certain Egyptians.

Dada lives still. Black stones jar contemplation. Fine writing.
yours,
simon

Black stones bringing to the conscious, unknown information :-)

I like the way you dare to attempt all types of poetry and never stay stuck in one place. Its why I like to check you out.......always an adventure when I come into this port.

Rare is the moment when we see the Ace pen in rhyme and, when it happens, we know we've been blessed.

Love & Light always and in all ways,
Joseph*

Black stones carried poetic weight., Well expressed Jude!

Excellent & Profound write Robert
peace

William

the stones drum, drum, drum. . . second and fourth stanzas could be easily interchanged, sort of like angling an light in a different direction for a difference effect. This is one not to be analyzed for it comes on suddenly when read without pausing, like a heart attack when one is lulled into thinking that there is no enemy to strike because we turn a blind eye to the issues that face our world.

Stones crush, and pulverize. . . and then the same black stones, like fire. . .can be beautiful. and like black sand beaches, can hold hidden footsteps, and like black diamonds, and black pearls, can decorate the throat that crowns the voice that soothes the dying heart.

Thanks for letting me get deep with you on this one,
blessin's
cynth'ya

Like an abacus, I can feel these stones being counted and threaded, one by one - almost like broken bones. And how heavy they sit and how parched they make us feel. Cinematically, this is like a village raised to the ground, or rainforests similarly... a wretched burning at the stake, or even the jet beads worn by some bad-aura person. Smoke inhalation is suffocating and can quickly kill... but the stench of a good charring lingers in the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth for a very long time after the event. A bit of a tangent, but this is the vibe I'm picking up from your black stones... And you don't ever want to spend too much time in Welsh graveyards if black stones bother you: fire and brimstone petrified! :)) Good metaphor hammered home. TY K xx

The "black stones" to me are powerfully symbolic and subject to much interpretation. Very nicely done, Jude. Love and peace to you,

Regis

I liked the power that the reptition of "black stones" gave this piece too. Although while reading it I was unconsciously removing the second and fourth "black stones" from your poem, I didn't even realize it until I was into the last stanza, so then I had to go back and read it both way. I do like the symbolism you used of the "black stones"
debra

Wow. What a wonderful you have used the imagery of black stones to convey your thoughts. This was a bit on the dark side, however, I loved the repetition. You did an awesome job here Jude.

~hugs~
Karen

A dark write, Jude, that makes one think. The repetition gives it an unimaginably strong voice, and the cadence and rhyme flow easily.

Peace. Joyce

In many ways, this reminds me of a poem I wrote sometime ago, "What the walls feel" - in which the stones become blackened by circumstances of life, but do not forget they were white, once. There are "stones", however, who choose to remain smothered in blackness... and to keep dropping the weight of their own bad and hardened "digestions" into other stomachs. A damn nuisance, indeed... ;0)
Loved the content and the concept, repetition somehow evokes the image and feel of stones being cast, one by one.
Love & {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}
Alexandra*

Beautiful thoughts that touch the reader mind
What a message you bring forth with this write. . . I enjoy
The repetition of the black stone!!
Beautiful write excellent form !
Love And Peace To You Always Your Friend..Morning Star

This poem feels like the heavy (iron) stones that appear black are pulling down with a strong magnetic force, They are pulling down upon the spirit and down upon the life of our planet and those who inhabit it. So much negative energy surrounds and even if we should dare to feel happiness or elation, the grounding effects of stones such as hematite pull us back down to earth, dragging us back from our dreams of fantasy and into the here and now; forcing us to deal with our realities. The rhythm of this poem is like a drum, calling upon us to stop and take notice and to rise above that very force that darkens our thoughts.
Take care,
Sherry

Robert, this radiates in a strong voice, the repetition calls attention to each line. This is a powerful piece!

Meteorites once, black stones were white, fell from the sky, turned black from the pilgrims' sins...BLACK STONES is an atonement poem in sacred holistic metaphor of the vagina, pilgrimage to kiss the BLACK STONES...black stones to me are basalt river rocks from the Arkansas River in Colorado which I retrieve to line my Dr. Scholl's footbath, vibrating a journey from the ancient waterways...

Sage

Amazing work and idea,I agree with CJ HECK.
Best wishes always to you and yours
You are no black stone but you do rock me...poetically!
From
Kay

You have given a new look into the imagery of the black stone with this powerful poem. Fine work, Jude!



Besides what Jeanette said,each civilization seems to adopt the black stones as sacred. It is said they are sacred stones that have fallen from the stars, and are a mystery. et

Wow, I never would have thought something like this would work, but the repetition adds so much meaning, meaning that would otherwise go unnoticed -- this is a gifted poem, RJ, by a talented writer.
Love,
CJ

Well done....the "Black Stones" give this poem a very dark touch!!

Love Tinka

black stones is an alchemical transformation...well done

Very deep write Robert and though I am not quite sure yet what the black stone symbolize I think it will come to me as I digest it again at a more leisurely pace.

Fee

Your thoughts and poetry are deep and each time I read it I find something different occurs with my own thinking.That's always a good thing too as I value opinions when wise people have something to say. Thank you Robert. Bravo!
Susan

A thought provoking write...one that leaves a thought lingering on the mind...makes me think of many whom have blinders on their eyes, those whom fail to see things any different than the way that they believe, I also thought of a heart turned black from years of sin and the weight of an unforgiving heart...wow! This one I've read and re-read again...so much said within these lines...a look at reality!
Blessings,
Joyce B...

I'm stoned! LOL!


But, it seems these black stones didn't get to you!
You've outsmarted them just in knowing...and
your a stones throw ahead of the game with this write!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~

"Black Stones" Very profound and doleful work, Robert.
Excellence in thoughts!

Thank you
Sheila

H e a v i n e s s in mood and verse, (((Robert))), excellently illustrated sadness!!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(

Mick and Keith would love this
"Paint it . . . ."

No black stones for Valentines Day? :)

The Black Stone (called الحجر الأسود al-Hajar-ul-Aswad in Arabic) is a Muslim object of reverence. It is one of the cornerstones of the Kaaba, the ancient stone building towards which all Muslims pray.

Some Muslims are more willing to believe that the Stone itself has some supernatural powers. They believe that this stone fell from the sky during the time of Adam and Eve, and that it has the power to cleanse worshippers of their sins by absorbing them into itself. They say that the Black Stone was once a pure and dazzling white and it has turned black because of the sins it has absorbed over the years.
Miss ya...

So sad to see so many black stones, our nadir of morals. Victor

nothing worse than a corralled mind... an expressively dark piece, jude.
peace,
carolyn

Black stones sharpening vision
Excellent poem

Often repetition go unwarranted, but here repeating the same words just further embellishes the work.
George

Black stone, the measure of our lowest point.
You've penned it well and throughly, Robert.
I'll be on the lookout for them in whatever.
Differently turning new soil for discovery.
- Bill

Powerful indeed,Hugssssssss

Robert,

Very powerful and quite a progressive dreariness of thought.