Cellar Skies

When you realize you survived, and find the strength to rise again.

Cellar Skies

 

I awake to velvet and

Sharp edges all

Twisted in the corners

Of my vision

An absence of brightness

Swallows the air

Leaves me gasping

With restraint

 

I stretch out my hand

Touching the places

Familiar and unseen

A call to something just

Beyond brings me focus

 A reason to look up

 

I awaken just below

The earth forgotten and

Alone but I am not afraid

Each breath brings memory

Each memory a sure and

Certain rung fit for my

Struggling and scrabbling feet

 

You sought to bury me

Put me in the deep places

Thinking faith and familiar friends

Would never find me

That I would waver

Or grow feeble

Feeding on soil and scraps

Of something you cannot name

 

But I see beyond the black

Veil that keeps you hidden

There are notches and furrows

Places for my soul to stretch

And I shake off the dirt

Of your distant burial

 

Out of the cold I rise

Feeling for the delicate stitches

Of time woven in

The shades of night

I gather my wits and my compass

Leaving something you

Could never understand

I am stronger for the darkness

I say to the ghosts

Retreating as I make

My journey to the stars

 

-Zoe Richardson 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

'I am stronger for the darkness' - superb line. Says so much. An inspirational write. First of yours I have read Zoe. Happy to have stopped by.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

I am so glad you did, Chris! (And may I say Chris has always been one of my favorite names?) Thank you for your encouragement.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Zoe. Pleased you like my name as well :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the poem dear Zoe.
"I am stronger for the darkness
I say to the ghosts
Retreating as I make
My journey to the star"
The above lines are solid and powerful. Darkness can make the angry soul stronger. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Zoe Richardson]

Don't you know I post these just so you will stop by and say nice things? I look forward to it!

[Coyote Poetry]

I am glad Zoe.

[LostSage]

Wow! I consider myself an excellent writer.... but this stuff is genius. Velvet and sharp edges... absence of brightness.... distant burial. Wow! Do and make sure you keep writing. I will keep reading. Have a superb wonderful day. Jeff

[Zoe Richardson]

You are an excellent writer! And I will keep offering my small gifts to the world. I am so pleased they touched you!

[LostSage]

I will keep accepting your delightful gifts and say thank you thank you thank you. Have a sweet day. Jeff

[jacob erin-cilberto]

With a voice like this, you could never be buried...
your poetry has terrific movement and phrasing, Zoe,
j.

[Zoe Richardson]

That is high praise, indeed! It hasn't stopped people from trying, though. Fortunately, poetry helped me dig my way out. I was uncertain of this one, actually. I thought it was a bit unfocused. I am so glad you found meaning and purpose in it.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have found most of the poems I am uncertain about get the best reactions...the ones I feel genuine affection towards, get little or no reaction.
and we are our own worst Critics.
j.