Gathering Strength

beyond the steady drumbeats

            within my skull,

pulling at my temples like the tide

coaxing the shore back into her womb,

the empty parts of me are filling

            --slowly--

 

dawn dreams on the far side

            of paned windows,

spotted with ill-care and discontent,

staring through me as disappointed deities:

            I have not the strength

            to wipe clean their ailing eyes

           

just one more day -- perhaps two --

            I shall remain here,

in this clapboard cave, muddled by shadows

cast from calcium deposits and fingerprints,

            ignoring the clamor of children

playing shadow tag on an empty street

 

I shall run a bath -- scented with lilac and lavender --

two cups of the Dead Sea to abrade my flesh

            until I am pure -- translucent --

            as the paper-thin skin of an angel

                        waiting to be reborn

Reviews

[Dana Alsamsam]

ooohhh i love that image of adding cups of the dead sea to the bath water! lovely lovely last stanza. this whole piece holds a questioning and nebulous feel that just wants to be broken through- the desire here is tangible. wonderful work!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Dana...your words mean a lot!

[icelandicblue]

There is a melancholy that permeates your words and images. I thought the last stanza was an attempt to slough them off and start anew. I loved this stanza, it is fraught with fabulous imagery and emotion:

I shall remain here,
in this clapboard cave, muddled by shadows
cast from calcium deposits and fingerprints,
ignoring the clamor of children
playing shadow tag on an empty street

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend!

[Kelly Scheppers]

"I shall run a bath -- scented with lilac and lavender --
two cups of the Dead Sea to abrade my flesh
until I am pure -- translucent --
as the paper-thin skin of an angel
waiting to be reborn"

I simply had to highlight that last verse..so lovely, so poetic. I am curious, Sarah, what inspires a write like this? To do this caliber of writing with the consistency you do, is just something I admire so much!

My best,
Kelly

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Aaww...Kelly, you humble me. You know, I don't really know. I just sort of sit down, gather my thoughts and write. I try to write at least one new piece a day if possible, then I usually let them sit and then I will go back the next day and rework what needs work--I guess it's inspiration of an ever moving mind, but also a dilligence in sitting down and making myself think poetically every day. I try to observe the little things, and bring together images that may not really fit and then make them fit...I could go on about the process all day. lol

[Aethereal]

Everyone has times such as the one expressed in this poem. Your poem inspired me to write this tiny gift poem for you which you may keep as your own. It’s in /0/0/ five syllable meter:

Smile

When life’s upside down
where you wonder why
you’ve become a clown
with a tearful eye,
you paint up your frown,
corners to the sky.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you :)

[Astro]

Moving imagery throughout, as you carry the reader to a place of preparation. Your opening and closing are exquisitely written, with a core of pain that the reader passes through in between. Excellent truly beautiful.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend...you always read so deeply.

[Astro]

If your words were the ocean, I'd never come up for a breath.

[shallimarRose]

"I shall remain here,
in this clapboard cave, muddled by shadows
cast from calcium deposits and fingerprints,
ignoring the clamor of children
playing shadow tag on an empty street"

I am running out of new things to saw about your work.. Its always rich with imagery and metaphor, thought provoking and i love your style.. Once again an outstanding post.. Rose

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are too kind, Shallimar...honestly!

[B-poet]

Loved the last stanza. A strong ending following a gracious detailed beginning of eloquence. Great work again my favorite writing partner. :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend!

[Kleio13]

A beautiful and saccharine read!
Purity at its finest

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my dear friend!

[Kleio13]

Your words that you deliver are majestic darling :)

[Nkosana B Masuku]

A beautiful poem Sarah,enjoyed it so very much :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

So glad that you enjoyed it!

[Nkosana B Masuku]

my pleasure

[Cody Williams]

A fantastic read! Keep it up!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Cody! :)