There is birth and death
in every season, each age
a possibility of love
or slaughter for words, symbols
or mistakes.
Now, an era of greed; for some
so little done for need's sake
or survival. Rich men
make poor watchdogs,
caught howling at tomorrow's moon;
the deprived seem not to notice
how the stench of desperation
permeates air, roils waters
makes rain sting the eyes.
It came to pass that spring's
soaking rains were a penumbra
of cyclonic winds, hurricanes
and severity; so much energy
in skies, so much heat.
The dove leaves its roost
white with purity, white with beauty
white borne power of acceptance
a promised peace, winged cloud to melt in sun.
For heat and wind, took a toll in sudden storms
flash and roll as Revelations spoke...
rumbled like the tides of time...
days grew bleak
and Dove found its peak lower and lower
in the skies, until it simply died
plummeted in fiery fall.
A black dove rises, from precious ashes
unafraid and prayer beneath billowed wings,
angels watch with mother's own love
this dark fledgling alight take flight
and endless faith flows in the air around,
a soft sound of distant laughter
loud dropping of chains,
once held from freedom
a past left in wonder and a future unbound.
A contest entry
- Collage by Cat.
3500 points, ended October 4, 2008, 22 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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I like this a lot, the final stanza is especially strong...
very good entry here...
al -
a richly political piece as i read it- some strong imagery laced through out
i especially like:
For heat and wind, took a toll in sudden storms
flash and roll as Revelations spoke...
rumbled like the tides of time...
days grew bleak
nicely penned friend..
m
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Wow, you've really incorporated so many wonderful things here, worthy of comment. But, I will be brief. There seems to be such an important perspective in this poem, as if the poet, or someone with immense understanding of times and events is sharing a bit of revelation on events that perhaps might have been misunderstood, or at least, not seen in their fullness.
I love the reality of the first Dove, and the triumph of the second, seemingly against odds.
Again there is much yet to comment upon, but hopefully it suffices to say that there is beauty and of course QW in these lines. Much to contemplate and to inspire.
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Here you replaced darkness with light, ashes with life, and have done it in a different way than most.
I had my doubts about this poem, but the more I read it the more I like what I see through the lines and the images that come out of each line.
Well done!
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...and so it was that humankind flocked
to hear his song, and so moved sang in harmony
with the risen dove.
Yes we can. That's where it took me.
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I think it took you to a wonderful place...PK
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It was interesting to me - I was wondering how it was going to all wrap up.. the end was my favorite
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I found your images very powerful and far deeper than the surfaces words, the black dove a modern day phoenix rising from destruction to fly again. Lots of symbolism here with a slight Biblical tone.
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I would like to have seen something a little different from this prompt, but still it is decent writing. Could probably be pared down some, fine tuned, there are extra words here that, at least I feel, are not entirely necessary.
Though, in all actuality, that is just my preference
and I love that the dove is black
Good luck.
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superb, my friend...simply superb.
Your writes are so rich in word and
thought...I can only sit back and
shake my head...Love, Lane
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Lovely.
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The beginning of this poem suggests Ecclesiastes and so appropriate in a poem that deals with the bird of peace. The fablelike quality gives a metaphorical power and rings like a sermon from a talented preacher. There are so many subtle references and allusions that magnify the message. Good luck in this contest. Peace, Liz
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