A Good Wall

I count them
Before they scarcely have touched me
Their vertical pulse
Each one an equation 
Reckoned by hand 
A man; perhaps
A soul who understood that several of his children would 
Never see year three
This wall 
A different era

I count them 
Religiously, for they
Are stones and beads made rosary
Answers in the eye of that man who laid each
Diligently into mortar and perfection
Went home to comfort his wife
Lovingly 
Where she laid 
Pale in pain
As crimson grew patterns on her womb

I count them 
Each becoming a holy number
A prayer and sacrament to feel

He died a believer 
His family continues still
I can hear them where they’ve come to touch this wall 
They were counted themselves and have
Waged wars of their own 
Building queries against the sky
The stone of his spirit 
Collected in their unyielding

Reviews

[Nadia B.]

Very touching poem, a strong hand yet written with a gentle touch, even though the wall is firm you break it down for a person to understand what makes a wall a wall. "As crimson grew patterns on her womb," such powerful imagery you use here, truly talented. The idea that wars collect stones, that there is prayer connected with every brick by its mason, and that a "vertical pulse" or life and heart beat races through the walls that are made. I feel now when a wall is built my insides should crumble if I should see it fall, to feel the pain of the one who had given part of his life to build it. You speak of walls not as boundaries but really just that..."a good wall." Thank you for sharing your brilliant insights, please keep writing!

[Perdition]

Sounds like you have found some good walls of your own building and waging within….great place to stop and sit, wonder a moment over the thousands of days or bricks, or stones you have layered and labored overed as well…The perfect mason within us all. Thanks Nadia

[Alisa Js]

Hello again,

I don't know why, but this one speaks to me of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.... Lots of memories there, along with such history and pain throughout the centuries...

And yet, those with the right spirit continue to press forward in faith.

Shalom,

Alisa ;-)

[Alisa Js]

p.s. I meant to say, very well written with great emotional content...thank you for taking this reader on a journey of the mind...

Excellent!

[Perdition]

Actually about add but I love hearing the reader and difference in collective reviews : 0 hid d

[Alisa Js]

very interesting.....Did you mean ADHD or add as in addition???

[Perdition]

ADHD but who knows ? I'm exhausted….lol.

[Thesecuts]

Wow, you have such a talent.

[Perdition]

Just wish it was poetry : ) Thanks and looking forward to reading your talent as well~