Into saffron sunset
I watched the sun bid farewell.
(and I wondered
if it knew it would return)
Those craggy grey mountains,
shifted in phases to sun-burnt orange,
and finally to black cardboard cut-outs.
(just like on cheap sit-com shows)
It didn’t seem so strange that in the dark
all our skin colours were the same,
only our accents betrayed origins.
So many fireflies active tonight,
darting around, seeking the warmth
of a live body – golden tracers singing
the death march - there were always
plenty to join the line.
Even the jetsam of broken buildings
looked like a Tate masterpiece,
all mocha stained in red,
radiating pheromones like
a baboon on heat – well, at least
the blow-flies were sexually aroused.
In any language screams don’t
need interpreters, their cold white sound
broke the bible black night,
then faded to grey.
As a poet-warrior I could see beauty
in Armageddon; sight, sound and smells,
spewing forth words that would forever
remain in my nightmares.
Again I wonder,
why the colours of war are so vibrant.
In a list
A contest entry
- ~Paint Me Words~ for members of The Inkwell ONLY by -Ink Artist-.
525 points, ended April 24, 2007, 10 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Looking For Crickets by Celticmoon.
1500 points, ended July 15, 2007, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
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"In any language screams don’t
need interpreters, their cold white sound
broke the bible black night,
then faded to grey."
Very nice this stanza, as was the entire poem, Collin. I shall have to Google Tate to fully grasp the fifth stanza --- but that's a good thing. :-)
This poem was a pleasure to read.
A60sMan
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Thank you, Google Tate Gallery, London .. should give you the infoe you need
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You have definitely painted a very visual piece here. Full of rich imagery both visual and symbolic. Nice job.
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A cricket huh?
I wasnt good enough for that status...seems my tackle didn't fill my trousers so well 
Sorry, 
naughty La! Ok...seriously...this is excellent and good to go big bro 
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To see the beauty that lies hidden within something such as Armageddon is amazing. Far to often people are wrapped up in the horror and tragedy that no one ever sees the poetic sorrow that lies within beneath the bloodied mess that lay slain before our very eyes. You have done a marvelous job penning such a piece that diplics such beauty through that horror. Thank you for entering and good luck!
Blessings
Bel
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2 Crickets ... I've died and gone to heaven.
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cricket
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CRICKET
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This is spectacular in its images and vibrant feelings. I love your use of "Poet-Warrior", I have a tattoo being designed for me that spells out Poet-Ronnin" in japanese cuniform meaning "poet-warrior-with no master" I desired it for a couple decades but only recently found an artist I trust to do it.
~*Starr*~ xxx
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Gripping work, Colin! I'm in awe at your vivid palette of words. The entire theme and tone of this piece is striking and compelling. There are several phrases that jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. Interesting parallel created between the beauty of nature and the destruction of war. Excellent work! Loved it!
~Lori
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yaya
arghhh, that was soo cool, "beauty
in Armageddon" "spewing forth words that would forever
remain in my nightmares" "Again I wonder,
why the colours of war are so vibrant" this is so incredebly awesome. chillingly clever.
well done, keep it up
emeraldsoldier
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Oh yes, the intensity of violence seems to highlight the contrast of beauty surrounding! Maybe it is mother Nature's way of inviting us to peace. Best of luck in this and all of your endeavors. Hetohke'e *
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Excellent
When a Bible is closed it won`t reveal the Light,
keeping us further yet never out of God`s sight. -
I enjoyed the twist you took with this poem summarized in the last line "why the colours of war are so vibrant. One minor suggestion: in line 21 I think it should read "a baboon in heat," but maybe you say it differently on your side of the Atlantic. In line 25 you used the same metaphor as the last poem of yours that I read and I still don't understand it. My favorite lines were 18 & 19, providing a graphic picture while challenging the reader. Good luck in the contest. Peace, Liz.
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To explain :
We do say in heat as well as on heat, one meaning coming into season the other to show someone who is sexually broadcasting come-ons.
Bible black night is really quite straight forward, most bibles are black in the colour of their covers therefore its just another way of saying very dark.
Hope that helps
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amazing
Colin
This one really got to me...
Something about the tone and the beautiful imagery struck a chord in my emotions...
Wow,...I am speechless and bookmarked this along with your other masterpieces that leave one in awe...
Lynda
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