A Rusty Nail

A lone nail upon a wall

Holding nothing but memory.

It’s strength turned to rust

Inevitably to dust.

The scatterings of time and wind

Leaving only a hole in wood

And questions...

What had it held next to the door

Was it a coat, a scarf, or something more?

A key maybe?

A key to a chamber

A chamber of my heart

Now locked

Sealed away till the end of my time?

Reasons

Projections

Peripheral ladders of oblong elasticity

And twistings of disharmony

Moving

Pulling

Praying for no spoil or spring.

A quagmire of tension builds

No rocks

No hammers

No secret guilds

Just one

Who wished

Who hoped

Who dared to try.

Oblivion rendered...

All was gone

Never there a merry song

Emptiness to the prevailings

A sail ripped

The wind gave nothing

Nothing...

All fingers

All thoughts

Every idea that might shine

Adrift...

Reviews

[Alex Crow]

Engaging...very thought provoking, what has that nail been used for? Very good write, wonderful imagery and voice. Great job

[The Winter Grey]

I love this poem. In the beginning, the details and images you conjure are more physical, literal. But as it progresses, and the mind begins to reel and wander about the nail, whispers of deep existential questions echoing throughout the remainder of the piece. It's taking something seemingly insignificant and turning it into something grand, something meaningful... or perhaps very haunting. Kind of masterful.

[Shy Girl]

Have you ever wondered how many things we use a nail for actually?? This poem has me contemplating that very idea. There are some many different ways to read this piece...but darned if I can stick with just one of them though. The very concept of it being unable to hold that canvas...all the ideas and hopes just drift away because that piece of Iron or plain metal was unable to contain the visions. (I think anyway) Like I said I can't seem to stay with one idea as to the direction of this piece. Maybe that's from the breeze today at the barn...(KC was fresh today ;)

[K-mo]

wow this is very well written, pulls me into what you have to say