Fair minds of children stretch and strain,
old bones ~ just signs of age.
Lines drawn, defeat -
fail to explain
how thoughts arcane engage.
This mystery for life a gift
so often left to go adrift,
ambition thwarted, soon will shift
to tomb of disused grave.
Fair minds of youth may quickly pass,
experience sets the stage!
Time’s yawn repeats -
center of mass
peeks at that buried sage.
Enigma’s chance to try once more
to place a foot through half-closed door,
regard the past, reach out, explore
and groom a disused grave.
Fair minds of old find comfort in
what dreams divulge, assuage -
When prime of mind avoids chagrin,
and reconciles past wage.
Slips into space where wizened muse
exalts the eye with heightened views;
then leaves behind all worldly ruse
with groom, to choose a grave ...
© 2009 Joy A Burki-Watson
Author notes
Festival of the Dead:
From their earliest beginnings, humans have had to face the great mystery of death. Over time, the wise learned to understand and honor this most profound of the rites of passage, guiding their peoples to understand these mysteries. They knew that even in the brightest of life’s moments, Death’s face would be peering from just beyond the shadows, waiting to leave his calling card. Death is humankind’s great lover, who courts and pursues us with a conviction no mortal lover is capable of.
Throughout history, humans have been led in a dance with death that is both fearful and romantic. Digging through the tomes of religion, myth, anthropology, folklore, and literature, we find the grim examples of death’s shadows cast over all cultures like the shrouds within dusty sepultures.
Death can be heard in the call of the crow. He can be seen in the murky darkness just beyond the firelight. His everlasting love can be felt by the cold touch on your shoulder when you think no one is there. Death is always there, watching and waiting. His enduring presence reminds us that we all have set a date with him that he eagerly desires to keep.
A contest entry
- Samhain/Hallow's Eve Contest by WaterChild Reborn.
1500 points, ended November 1, 6 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please take time to share your comments ...
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
-
Seems to be a well thought out and put together poem of what most of us don't like to think about. Fair minds of the chldren, youth and old show thought at each stage.
Enigma’s chance to try once more
to place a foot through half-closed door
good line
-
The rhyme and alliteration in this piece was truly impressive, as was the abstract imagery and philosophical quality and... I could keep going but suffice to say I enjoyed reading this several times over.
Thank you also for the info in the AN.
-
Ah, such in-depth consideration
of a serious topic---and how
varied minds address it.
I side with Yem in wishing to confront
simpler topics as cows and penguins,
or sun and moon.
An impressive treatise expressed
in interesting form and scheme.
Kudos!
M-C
-
Yes, death has a mystery because life is a mystery and death a central theme and part. One we set aside in conventional wisdom but in many cultures death was a centerpiece of life, many efforts dedicated to preparation; here it is the emotional side that is the focus and these ideas have some touch with our circumstances, so much we do not know... well done...PK
-
a psychological stroll through Life that engages the stages and perceptions of understanding of "the eventual end of us all." easy to read and flows well through each stage. I enjoyed this effort very much! repetition is present, but thoughtfully used.
-
I like it! Keep up the good work!
-
Its OK
This poem is OK. It didn't really touch me though. I prefer a more clear straightforward voice - just my two cents. -
the notes tie in well with this enlightening poem. wonderful job
-
Samhain is a time to turn our thoughts to the wisdom held by those who have gone before us and the mysteries held on the other side of the veil. It is all a part of the cycle of life which I think you've captured extremely well in this write.
Your reference to stages makes me think of the ones we travel through when faced with death on either side, both ultimately concluding with a form of peace and acceptance.
Extraordinary write Joy.
-
Powerful and Brilliant
Death is inevitably something we must all face at one point or another, I myself have faced it head on most recently with my husbands death, this poem to be honest spoke to me and enraptured my soul.
You write it with such complexity, your wording, your structure is awe inspiring to say the least. Very powerful in its prose and exceptionally brilliant!
I love your explanation as well, you are a true poet and have incredible talent! I hope to be one day as extraordinary as yourself in writing prose.
All my best, Joy
wow - another joy, that's cool!
-
It's just a process. Living organisms die.
Were it that easy to explain away, to remove our own love of life. I'm told some are reconciled, ready to go...that is both sad and fearful.
Death is the one topic I don't want to deal with. Oh I have but I don't think in any serious way, not as you just have. It's watching and waiting and I prefer to ignore that it's outside the door, and being neither wise nor learned, I have not learned to honor or to understand its coming. I refuse to succumb to the inevitable.
Beautifully worded and expressed, an oddly apt poem for the season, maybe reminding us of what all these seasonal images actually pertain to -- death.
And you wonder why I like to write silly, nonsensical poems about cows and penguins.
-
A very powerful piece of writing here my learned friend...to give it fair comment would require at least a second read; much to peruse, the wording and structure exquisite, from cradle to grave and back again...!
the AN is very helpful Joy, I may have been quite lost without it lol, with poems of such complexity notes of explanation are always important to gaining a better insight into the work at hand
Your writing always impresses me to the point of humility, I regard you as a poetess of high calibre, sometimes I wonder what on earth I'm doing here...!
I feel I must come back to this and see which way it takes me!
You've put a lot of time and effort into this, I hope I shall be able to return the favour in like manner
Jhn
Adding your comment:
1 - 12 of 12
