Of Clocks and Clouds

For any who have ever felt shackled in their circumstances...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The door to the old Inn screeches open, shedding veiled light on the figure approaching.

“Your eyes glimpse only yesterday, my friend. Where is today in your vision?” he says.

      “Yesterday is all I have of value... How I want to exit here. Life is like the seas’ sand; beaten and lifeless.” He turns from me and lifts his hand toward the tide, framed in dusty glass.

“To your simple existence, do not boast;

merely to breathe or move or think is not to live.

The shore of the sea is but a ghost,

compared to the depth its wholeness gives.

You exist in the miry foam;

make the ocean depths your home.”

Smoked and shady gray light reflects from the counter. Raven guests drift past slowly in silence as the sea cries.

“You don’t understand,” I say. “You don’t understand these chains:

I long to drift through turquoise skies;

race the wind in rampant flight.

Ruddy chains have framed my eyes,

they seize my heart and stain the light.”

He turns to walk toward the door then speaks. “How many waves will beat this shore until you breathe your last? These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”

At this, he passes through the Inn’s door into shimmering amber. Pillars of celestial light support the roof of clouds and mist, scattering shadowed shapes across the horizon.

The golden ball of fire brings warmth again.

How I wish the sallow heat could

take this lonely man.

The breeze, a song, plays through the

rustling sand grass and hollow.

A tune played over memories’ dust sweetens the air.

The days have been wind; the weeks as moving air. Oh, that the clocks ever changing face might rest for only a moment, or cease for all time.

Oh, is not eternity an everlasting moment?

If only I could touch silent stillness, but the waves are endless. Each wave brings the clock a new face. How it ages so across the tortured tide. Fire cascades from heaven as the sun begins its morning reign, swallowing streaked shadows like a ravenous snake.

      I walk to the waves, watching them wash clean the face of the shore, and I feel an echo flood over me. “Make the ocean depths your home…”

Reviews

[emmajoy]

That ending is almost too much, I'm gasping, wondering what the next step means. Your words have an amazing mix of prose and poetry, a marriage of mystery and myth .. and yet again, you prove your gentling power in drawing readers into a place: 'These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”

You have a way of turning seemingly straightforward tho fine phrases into an immense secret ..

[bob, small b. aka invs]

amazing writing. layers and layers of meaning. something for everyone. i won't pretend i understood the whole of it. but pieces of it reached out and grabbed me and the style and feeling of the piece took me in and held me.

[*** Hey Jude***]

I like the way you approach the subject of "ghosts" that can haunt us from days gone by . There is much wisdom powerful wisdom in this write. I won't list all the lines that jumped out and touched me or I would be basically reposting the whole poem. This is one of many
“To your simple existence, do not boast;
merely to breathe or move or think is not to live.
For to many years I did fret about mistakes from the past. Always a nagging regret. It was not until I reminded myself that regrets can be lessons from the past that is long gone.
Forgiving myself was the first start, and realizing that when I lived in the past I was taking away the possibilities of each new day. A pleasure as always my friend!

[justjenn_2u]

You have always amazed me with your talent. You have such creative energy and it's apparent throughout this piece. I love the ending "Make the ocean depths your home...". You have honest talent. Write on. (I know it's been awhile but I hope to stick around).

Such poetic words you share. I like the part of "make the ocean depths your home" Just wow, a wonderful summary of the vesions in this write.

[Arthur Henn]

Yesterday is all I have of value...

These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”

Your words really hit this heart of my home, brother - WOW!

I will be back to re-read again... Them words I read and copied have been setting like a sunrise setting on the shore of my heart of wanting to let go of my past, so I can just move on...

[Eric Cox]

Cool. Excellent creative imagery and thoughts penned. I like the thought of letting the past go, an excellent read. Very nice poetic pen upon this piece!

[Kristallo]

“How many waves will beat this shore until you breathe your last? These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” --I felt my very breath catch in my throat when I read this. It's heart bending truth. The past can feel like shackles, dragging you through all your jealous yesterdays, repeating mistakes, sinking in loathsome memories and choked by lost love. At least, that's what it meant to me. The story here is so melancholy, yet so beautiful. I love your metaphors and comparisons to the sea- one of my favorite elements to write about, too.

'Is not eternity an everlasting moment?' Profound. It would be lovely if that were true, if eternity was an extension of the truest moment of our lives. I hope that its so... love the vividness with the imagery you've used in this piece, my mind was alight with shape-shifting visions as I read it through. Reminds me so much of a Dali painting; what I love about your poetry is you that you truly paint an introspective and picturesque portrait with your words. You're artistic and genius. Loved the read!