Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Awakening


















this is what it was
a grave, a quiet spot
away from the madding crush
a place to breathe

your face emerging from the soil
eyelids closed to sun and stars
nose clear and breath slowed
lips sealed and unmoving

I look at you as if for the first time
and with my small hand
wipe a bit of soil
from your cheek

your eyes still want to close
silence covers you
just as you covered yourself
in the earth

what complacency
what complicity
led you here
to lie hidden in the grass

no pinprick of starlight
to pierce a pupil
no soft caress of cloud
to inflame your cheek

season after season
stiff against the wind
even your ears buried
so as to hear nothing

but the song of the dark earth
and now my breath
as I croon a lullaby of
awakening and with my fingers —

this must be done slowly and
with the solidity of courage —

brush the soil from your temples
from the crevices of your eyelids
run my fingers across your cold lips
touching silence, touching fear


Click on the photo to see a larger version.

18 Comments:

Blogger polona said...

wow! powerful stuff, mb!

1/02/2007 2:11 PM  
Blogger Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

a dear dear love of mine died years ago, many many moons ago...this poem brought him back, a sweet kiss fell upon my forehead.

1/02/2007 2:20 PM  
Blogger Maryam in Marrakesh said...

I came to you blog via tongue in cheek. And so glad I did. Your poem - such quiet rapture. Thank you.

1/02/2007 3:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"And if you come, when all the flowers are dying
And I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be
If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me
I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me."

1/02/2007 3:47 PM  
Blogger Pat Paulk said...

What a powerful journey you take us on here.From solitude to silence with trepidation. You certainly should submit this one somewhere!!

1/02/2007 4:33 PM  
Blogger snowsparkle said...

mb, this was beautifully hypnotic... a quiet movie ran in my mind and put me in a timeless state. thank you thank you for this amazing piece.

1/02/2007 8:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

happy new year :).. here's hoping the new year will be better than the last..

1/02/2007 11:02 PM  
Blogger floots said...

this one took hold of me
led me to places i've missed
thank you

1/03/2007 9:45 AM  
Blogger Sue hardy-Dawson said...

Beautiful...

1/03/2007 10:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As I read back through to you finding your tree, I realize yet again how with every word, every line and every photo you take my breath away. Then it dawns on me how long it's been since I felt I had taken a breath...

The Happiest of New Years my friend, and thank you!

alan

1/03/2007 11:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Spectacular!

1/03/2007 2:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your word sketches are as beautiful as your photographs.

1/03/2007 4:09 PM  
Blogger Bitterroot said...

Oh, my. I read this many times.

1/03/2007 7:17 PM  
Blogger trinitystar said...

Brought tears to my eye MB. Absolutely exquisite.
hugs for you :o)

1/04/2007 9:28 AM  
Blogger MB said...

Polona, thank you.

Corey, then I'm glad to have shared it with you.

My Marrakech, welcome! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I'm glad you found something to enjoy here.

Charlie, I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow.

Pat, thank you very much!

Snowsparkle, I'm gratified that it came across as a movie for you. It was intended as a very visual representation.

Guile, thanks for stopping by. Happy new year to you, too!

Fred, I'm glad you thought so!

Floots, that's exactly what it does for me... much appreciated!

Sue, thanks!

Alan, I'm very happy to know you are breathing again! ;-) Happiest of new years to you, too!

Bendingpeak, welcome! I'm pleased you enjoyed the poem.

Pauline, I'm grateful for your kind words.

Bitterroot, I'm glad you found it compelling.

Trinitystar, thank you!

1/04/2007 4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This poem reminded me of a person I love who I can't always be with. Now that I've read this, I'm constantly thinking of him! Thank you for the beautiful poem and the wonderful memories you have brought back!
-Izumi

1/09/2007 6:35 PM  
Blogger MB said...

Izumi, welcome and thank you for commenting. I am happy to know that a poem brought you some good memories. May you have good times on which to build more.

1/09/2007 8:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

your poem compel me to fall in love with someone. when i read ur poems i felt like the clouds touches my soul with its chill. thanks.

1/26/2007 8:56 PM  

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