The Howl

Trembling, staring 

Out the window, I see

No Messiah waving 

From above the clouds.

I'm a bow at the ready, 

My impatient arrows

Would fain pierce the sky.

Two dozen horse hooves

Thump in my veins,

My every fiber's a string strung tight.

With skin stretched on bony frame,

I'm the silence of a drum 

Before a booming sound.

Sinews and twitching muscles

Hold me and pin me down, 

I'm a ravenous wolf in sheep skin,

A slave to sin that claws

But can't tear at the dark.

If I could, I’d tell you all about

This bestial life, but all I can do is 

Throw my head back and howl.

 

Author's Note

Revised version.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of frustration to it. I get the impression of one eager to effect some kind of change, but for some reason unable to do so. The second verse seems an admission of this inability, almost a guilt at not being able to bring a message to the world to make it better. But the world does not get better, and the speaker acknowledges himself to be a part of it.

[Laz K.]

You would make a great psychoanalyst. Your comments often remind me that writing is a process of deep, profound self-discovery. However, the material emerging from the depths - although already brought to the surface - can still remain enigmatic to the writer, until seen, understood, and reflected on by a keen-eyed observer.

[barleygirl]

This is why I love Halloween writing, even tho I doubt this was written as a Halloween poem. We all have some ferocious pocket of gore in there. Your poem starts timid & builds up into a thundering crescendo. A celebration of the darkness within (((HUGS)))

[Chris Shaw]

That's a perfect description of frustration. When change is needed, but it:s like knocking your head on a brick wall because no one is receptive, no one is listening. The last time I felt like that I imagined myself in an empty field, just standing there and screaming my heart out. A bit like the wolf's howl. I should have found a real field, that would have worked so much better. Relatable writing Laz. Many will understand.

Chris

[Laz K.]

Thanks, Chris.
"I should have found a real field, that would have worked so much better." This made me smile. :)

[Lorry]

Yes, all we can do at times is howl, at the frustrations of life, living and sometimes everything in between.
This certainly has a feel of how life can sometimes beat us down at every turn, leaving such a simple this as conversing to be an insurmountable task.
Sometimes only a howl will do. It certainly helps people to know that it might be wise to give the wolf the time and space it deserves.

[Laz K.]

Thanks, Lorry.
There was definitely frustration to be expressed.
Thank you for reading and commenting; it's always appreciated.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Laz! :)
This was an interesting read, all tension, then release. Some of your line breaks make it a bit awkward to read by line. Thanks fir sharing.

[Laz K.]

You are right about the "flow." I had posted a hasty first draft that I wasn't happy with, but I just pushed the words away, and wanted to get rid of them because the underlying issue is not easy for me to deal with. Then, the idea wouldn't leave me alone, so I rewrote it. I am a bit more pleased with this "leaner" version.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

[Coyote Poetry]

Good to know freedom and howl at the moon.
"If I could, I’d tell the world all about
This bestial life of kill or be killed, but
All I can do is throw my head back and howl"
Hello Laz. I have howl at the moon a few times and thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote