the blessings of providence

[Billy]

the blessings of providence


I.

the quickness
of truth
nearly passed me by

had i not stood still
for reasons unknown
now memorialized

a milestone
laid at my grave


II.

the vision
a nail
to my brain

wake up
wake up
you've been dead

how cruel
you've been

don't forget
the pain will leave

drink eat
but don't forget

now you know
what you've done
the very teeth of it

remember the bite
when the scar
has disappeared

the vision
has ended
wake up


III.

let me be
in this tree

perched at the very top
never looking down
until night

when shadows live
but even then
just for a moment

for the moon
cannot go on
without me

in the tree
being me


IV.

all those motherless days
with no name
walking crowded streets
invisible to the ones
who had places to go
i searched alone
until i named myself


V.

the veil of self
thinner than the finest silk

difficult to see
more impervious than steel

only the fire of love
can penetrate it

turn it to the smoke
of illusion


VI

at the end of the night
you were there waiting
as birds called the sun

from the other side
of the world
where i had been

what felt like centuries
dragging my tongue
in dirt questions lost


VII.

my petals
held tight
misery
opening
into sunlight


VIII.

for a moment
i was an ocean tide

helpless
to be me

with nature's
power and blessing
rising and falling

in one sweet
endless movement

never reaching
beyond the shore

yet tireless
in my desire and efforts


IX.

when i had no one
the Master

bathed me
fed me

embraced me
kissed my cheek

prayed beside me
for the strength

to love all creation
spoke of my soul

with beautiful
compassionate words

and of the limitless
power of our Creator

[FredFourth]

Speaking or writing of the 'born again experience'?

[Billy]

The poem speaks for itself. A spiritual experience. The reader can choose to interpret it as they desire.

[FredFourth]

And yet we are obliged to comment on one another's poems.

[Billy]

Most poets do not explain their poems. They leave it to the reader to gather whatever they can from it. A good poem can get varied responses from readers.

[Michael (MV)]

 
Hi Billy,

reminds me of a soul sojourning through the darkness

the last, the resolution found, akin to a psalm of David


Billy, do you already have a poem committed to represent another board in this December IBPC?

If not, I hope you will represent the board with one of yours.

Please reply in the designated thread at Palaver Upcoming December IBPC 2015: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6162


Thanks, Billy,

Michael (MV)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

[Bernie01]

Billy:



i like the poem here:


for the moon
cannot go on
without me


----


...those motherless days
with no name
walking crowded streets
invisible to the ones
who had places to go
i searched alone
until i named myself



would consider fewer verses, more focus. less telling.



otherwise, an ambitious poem challenging the reader.



bernie

[FredFourth]

I though it telling too.