*
the bones again -
it’s always the bones, or the stones
suspended, knocking their hollow clunk
blowing darts, sparks into the wind
that shoot holes right through you,
and still
*
the other day, a praying mantis
crawled over the edge of the kitchen table,
one of its prayer arms missing -
a prophet, its wedged head swiveling,
surveying its situation,
and again I understood
predicament,
not knowing
*
Still, I am waiting for my throat to open
flood, connect to its own resonance -
sometimes I feel it pressing against me,
an ear, waiting,
and while holding
my missing arm,
I sway tears
Author notes
Listen, whatever it is you try
to do with your life, nothing will ever dazzle you
like the dreams of your body,
its spirit
longing to fly while the dead-weight bones
toss their dark mane and hurry
back into the fields of glittering fire
where everything,
even the great whale,
throbs with song.
Mary Oliver
A contest entry
- Crack A Rib by Cannonsfire.
1000 points, ended August 6, 2008, 14 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - "School's Out for Summer" Rounds Contest by CitrineSunrise.
850 points, ended July 1, 17 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
-
I enjoy reading a poem where the metaphor is complex and complete as in this one. You have expressed a feeling that probably happens to each of us at one time or another, but we don't have the words to explain it as you have. I look forward to your entry in the next round. Peace, Liz
-
This is wonderful, and resplendent with multi-layered evocations of meaning - I most like 'and again I understood predicament, not knowing' which is the open field I am in, most of the time.
I savour this poem. Good luck in the contest.
-
This is so very strong in its detail on how you view yourself and life, the metaphor is rich and powerful. It kept me reading and each line I went oh, I wish I'd thought of that! Thank you for a wonderful entry. Love, C
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