Slow, slow
the Wandering Jew
nomadic chains tether
to The bloody beam
thrust deep into the heart
of Golgotha.
Snared in sepulchral silence
for lack of compassion
at the Passion,
cursed to walk the world
until He comes again
all the while taunted
by angels singing on high...
Author notes
"I shall wrap my tender tendrils
around your sturdy roots,
climbing into the skies
of your song..."
--excerpt from: “Promise” by Wanda Lea Brayton (Night Hope)
Bleh. I played with this too long...
In a list
A contest entry
- Contest: Quotation Inspired by Danny Beatty.
1200 points, ended July 21, 13 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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How did I miss this? Incredible write, my friend. Deeper than my mind is willing to delve tonight, I'm afraid. Perhaps the Biblical references make my mind shut down. LOL.
Okay, I just read the other comments to understand better... had never heard of the plant or the story, but quite fascinating.
You're such an intellectual
How do you know all this stuff? LOL
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I have to admit that this piece makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't really know what you are saying, but that is probably my lack of knowledge on the subject. I am, however, familiar with the spiderplant known as a wandering jew and can appreciate the sybolism. I didn't quite see the connection to the quote, either, until I read your reply to mr. Beatty's comment. I have never heard of Melmoth (the wanderer) until I looked it up on Google. I guess none of us are all-knowing
Having been familiar with your poetry for some years now, I am sad to say that I would not have recognised your style in this poem. That does not prevent it from coming across as a powerful piece as the contest host so rightly points out, just not what I am used to. Saying that, I am delighted that you drew an HM and that you are writing again.
~ c♥
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An erudite subtlety informs this poem. It is employed to infer the presence of an aging, yet endless story. A differing take on Night Hope's prompt... One that I enjoyed nosing through quite a bit, as such matters are of interest to me.
Thank you for your contribution here, zt...a wonderful observational tease.
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This is a powerful write. It is very very compelling poetry. Your lines 4,5,6, capture the reader immediately ... the story of the Christ is a rich one that is not easily and expertly written of in this manner as you have done by any but a first rate and truly wonderful poet.
The symbolism and references are placed, stacked expertly well. The message is undeniable. I don't believe I have ever had it presented in such a compressed and powerful way in so few lines and words.
It completely impresses me. It also made me think. Such power.
Melmoth is a brilliant title. Cicero in his 'Oration XI - Against L.C. Piso, at page 69
is an interesting read. you can find it in the first caches if you just google 'Melmoth define'
Your write goes far beyond Christianity but not Golgotha. excellent.
thank you for gracing this contest with your beautiful poem. good luck
Danny
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Thank you for your well expressed comments and for such an inspirational contest. The first part of the quotation took me immediately to the plurality of both the wandering jew plant with its roots and the legend bound, as it were, to the tree/cross. The last part of the quote gave me my ending. I tend towards single-word titles for my poems, so using the protagonist's name was the obvious choice. The story is told in a variety of parables using a range of names. After looking into each one, I opted for this one simply because Oscar Wilde--a man whose work I always enjoy--used "Sebastian Melmoth" as a pseudonym.
I did read William Melmoth's translation of Cicero's oration. Cicero was quite the outspoken political statesman. His vitriolic diatribes eventually cost him his life (Rome not quite being ready for freedom of speech). Thanks for this pointer and finding this worth an honorable mention!
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Well, I like it. 
Besides that, we have a Wandering Jew plant in the living room. I was surprised when I first walked in the apartment, since he had 2 plants, side by side, that my mother had when I was a child. I figured it would bode well & it has. Your poem is a thought piece, filled with imagery & profundity. It also leaves much to the reader's imagination. Good luck in Danny's contest, Poet. 
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