The Song of Cliff

Day to night, depth to height in a song.

Unknowing were born

Into life’s flowing stream.

To silence it’s sworn,

Despite how much you dream.

From slumber you’re torn,

By that mistress who’s deep.

She whispers to warn

Of the abyss so steep.

Despair grows with thorn

And it clutches you whole,

But don't numb or mourn:

You are gifted a goal!

Channel all life’s spring

Toward despair’s command.

Hear how depth would sing,

Her words do more than strand.

They compose the ring,

The tone of your work’s voice.

When you form the thing,

To you it will rejoice.

Outfitted with wing,

You reach day’s joyous height.

But don't calm or cling:

Restart, Repeat the night!

Reviews

[Kay]

This is interesting. I might not have interpreted it the way you meant it, but I imagined the speaker describing the process of birth into this world - at first, you are dreaming in a pleasant sleep in the silence and warmth of the womb, then "you're torn" and "Despair grows with thorn/And it clutches you whole." The mistress, or your mother in this scenario, "whispers to warn" of the struggles and darkness life can bring, but the speaker encourages you not to become "numb or mourn" because your mother will guide you: "Her words do more than strand." She will "compose" your understanding and help you become "Outfitted with wing" so that you may fly to your personal higher ambitions and desires, ultimately reaching your "joyous height." I could be totally off course from the true meaning of this poem, but I enjoyed it either way!