when we touch stones
a story comes from another place and time
when we let the words touch us,
allow them to settle upon our shoulders
like a shawl in cool nightfall
memories like stars begin to gleam, and darkness
becomes so much more than it seems;
a place of revelation...
when we touch stones;
green hills and valleys
lose spring rains, holding all it can
and the lower land between
becomes a chalice; until
sun raises it back to air, and air to vapors and winds
to clouds. And it mattered not
if the rain fell quickly or slowly
a hard pour or soft sprinkle;
it made a time, a time that made us.
When we touch stones...
in the hills and valleys of the old cemetery
we bring fresh stars to gleam
a new day to the past;
in a more patient night, we feel
air and note sounds, and wonder
of the days to come, in a paused breath
speak a near forgotten name
and smile, a nearly lost smile;
when we touch stones.
In a list
A contest entry
- NO GREENS Round 3 by Invitation Only by Pamela A Lamppa.
7000 points, ended June 13, 10 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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It shines!
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I can't believe I didn't read and comment on this beauty before now. The simple repetitve phrase packs such a powerful punch (alliteration overload lol). Touching stones both literally and figuratively lets us connect to nature, our forebearers and our inner selves. As your second stanza shows, we are all products of what has come before, and we must understand our history to truly understand ourselves. This is such a wonderful way to interpret the contest prompt, but you never fail to amaze me with the depth of your grace and insights. Congratulations on your gold trophy. It was well deserved. Peace, Liz
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As my son would say, "...dude!..." (that's good)
Paul
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ahh Paul-
Thanks to you and you son for keeping you in with the way we talk today!
You see, i was telling someone that just the other day, how one word has replaced so many expressions, and can be used so many ways, and they said "Huh..." ...thanks...PK -
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...cool!...
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This is very two fold for me - as you meant it to be - as in placing my hand on a simple stone while hiking - a connection to all of creation so to speak. then there is visiting a cemetery and a stone I have missed and feeling the memories that have faded return; not in regret but in calibration of what was.
This is a fantastic verse perfectly worded with timely imagery.
ken
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Thank you...for your kind words and understanding of the ideas here, it is always great when a comment reveals what people think...I try to do this but don't always succeed; so it is very much appreciated...PK
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Oh oh oh oh oh my goodness, this is pure beauty and completely unexpected.
see the smile
BIG GRINNING SMILE. So very well done. I am having a difficult time picking out a favorite line but I will say your second stanza locked me into the feel of the mood and the cool touch of earth.
Thank you. Simply Superb! ~Pamela
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Pamela-
Thank you for your comments, this came from an exchange with another poet, a very talented writer...and your inspiration, the poignant moments and musical piece; came immediately to mind. Your [you and Ken] work made it easier for all of the writers and I think it showed in the quality of what was done. Thank you, to you both, for your wonderful assistance and generous gift of your time....PK
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Wonderful!!!!!!
This was a fascinating unfolding of beauty and revelation. I was captivated by the idea of "touching stones" from the start because of a personal connection with the idea but the significance you brought was far deeper. The connection you speak of to memories and revelation comes to fruition in that final reveal of a specific type of stone... I loved that you saved the cemetery detail til the last stanza... it was like a mystery revealed.
The idea of the chalice in the valley and the cyclical nature of things was also captivating... and the idea of experiences, however wrought, shaping us, making us the person we are when we come to such a place of reflection...just loved the truth of that.
That cyclical pattern comes out again in the final stanza, but with an emphasis on the newness, memories to yet be made, and yet still affected by what has come before. Some might say a strange place to find hope, but it comes alive in that last wonderful stanza, and the final lines just bring everything full circle. WONDERFUL!!!
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Ten-
Thanks so much.
Yes there are cycles, life has them, nature and we are part of that grander design, and i believe we need to understand our pasts to make best use of our time, where we come from matters when choosing where to go...thanks for taking time and the effort to make such a thorough commentary, it is much appreciated... PK
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This is beautiful Howard
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Thank you Mari-
this one had a special feeling, it came while commenting on Mercedes...happily, I remembered to thank her...and thank you...h
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This is what I call a delayed reply, took you 2 months to find the right word
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true...but, it was the right word... Thanks to you and to Mercedes...
my, time flies
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"speak a near forgotten name
and smile, a nearly lost smile;"
this poem flows really well. a very enjoyable read. i love the similie of the shawl in the first stanza and i think the past does have a powerful effect on the future, physically and in the wonderful form of memories. beautiful poetry.
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Thank you Tara-
for your kind words, our pasts have a great meaning for us, and as a parent i think it became more evident, when a child asks us to tell the stories of where we came from...thanks for all ... PK
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We are moved to touch those stones, reaching for what we feel is lost. I feel the passing of time as I read your words, perhaps like the evaporation of lives or souls, lifting as dew. The air within a cemetery lightly charged with spirituality such as ancient cathedral. Your verses captured me with their softness. Once my mother said to me, "you spend more time with the dead than the living" as I traced family history with the help of old cemetery stones.
"and in a paused breath
speak a near forgotten name
and smile, a nearly lost smile;
when we touch stones."
In that aspect then, I have loved spending time with your poem.
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Malmadre-
I have done some, but not nearly enough, touching of those stones; but I too have had some amazing moments of discovery, precious little pieces of where we come from...thank you...PK
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I'm with Nic again, soft, gentle, and yes, i hear stones singing. Sighs.
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Thank you Rowan-
I remember some of your words about stones...some things have that quality to speak to us...Thanks for all...PK
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Very beautiful, soft and gentle, yet earthy and grounded. Loved this one, PK.... you make stones sing...
~ Nicolette
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Thank you Nicollette-
for your warm words about the stones, i agree they can sing; from ages and yesterday...and I voted for your amazing flat mountain...it spoke to me... ...thanks ...PK
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Oh my, this is so beautiful, a recognition of time and our place on earth, and how all the stories and memories are there for us, just waiting to be read in the stones. You know I love this!
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ahh...and thank you for the wonderful inspiration... PK
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