Song of shadow
the shadow of a swallow
hunts the shining pool for gnats
but never moves as quickly
as the silent-singing bats
sing a song of shadow
a silent whispered prayer
sing a song to something
that maybe isn’t there
there is a hole, a hollow,
where water rushes to,
it never catches, never holds
as it passes through
there’s darkness fast to follow
every rushing shadowed past
seizing and uprooting
phantom dreams that never last
carry wings or wallow
or wear a furrowed face
put the shovel to the shoulder
turn again to look for grace
dig a hole, a little hollow,
let darkness rush on through
slipping through the fingers
become the water, too
***
Click on the photo to see the larger version.
posted by MB at 9:30 PM
17 Comments:
How boring a world without shadows. Love it!! Definitely one that could be sung.
"...become the water too"
lovely finish to this mezmerizing piece!
thank you!
That river water is pulsing in your veins. With every heartbeat, a new song, a new poem. I'm so glad you took this journey.
Beautifully done. Except I winced at "phantom dreams that never last," that phrase sounded, forgive me, like a bad Carly Simon song :-) A come-down after
there’s darkness fast to follow
every rushing shadowed past
which I thought was absolutely lovely. Such a nice balance between promise and threat :-)
Dale, as usual, you are an astute reader. That's the spot I stumbled over in the writing of it and would want to rewrite. Thanks for the feedback. Yes, it's an edgy little thing.
water and shadows... two things i love, and you write so beautifully about them...
What a ride!
alan
mb, lovely. the shadow allows us to notice the light. beautiful images - stunningly so.
Loved the ending.
How unusual these days, and how lovely, to read a rhyming poem - and this one really works. I loved it.
* g * a * s * s * h * o *
Thank you for the pleasure of more rhyme! It feels so fluid and light and musical when you write end-rhyme.
Lost in liquid shadow am I...
Pat, the rhythm is a bit like a nursery rhyme — sing a song of sixpence!
Snowsparkle, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Robin, rivers have always gotten to me.
Kasturi, thanks for reading and for your comment!
Polona, I love them, too.
Alan, thanks for going "with" me!
Anne, yes, exactly, the shadows allow us to see the light. Thank you.
Mermaid, the ending is what I'm aiming for.
Beth, thanks for visiting. I'm pleased you enjoyed the poem.
Lori, (bowing). Rhyme is tricky, as we know! Sometimes it flows as if of its own accord.
Chuck, and pleased am I that you are! Thanks.
This has a lovely happy feel probably due to the rhyme scheem it works really well
Sue, thanks. I think without the rhythm and rhyme, the darkness would loom larger. That's intentional because this is, in my mind, about dealing with darkness.
I love the rhythm of your "dealing with darkness".
Wenda, wonderful to see you here. Thanks, I'm pleased you enjoyed this poem.
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