The Marking of the Bells

I knew when the bells were silenced
that it was finally done, as was I.
The snow fell furiously trying to cover
the ugliness only man can beset upon himself.

The memory of warm lips
brushed against my bluing ones
and I felt myself rise above the frost
but there was no lightness in my spirit.

Carillon splendor had marked the births and deaths
of everyone I had ever known, but no more...
it would die along with me and fall
into the dusty desolation of this place.

The sons of Adam had honed their weapons well ,
smashed the fruits of labors of all who had come before.
They had stolen the sweetest of sounds in a greedy grab for glory
and tossed it into the vacant winds of history.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow this is as deep as that snow the speaker is lying in at the end...as the final bells toll...and the bluing lips say their last goodbyes to those living and those dead....all who knew her.
and all she knew of them take their final breath with her.
and there is that "greedy grab for glory" perhaps we all do that at one time or another but then that gets "tossed into the vacant winds of history" as might the words we leave behind.
it could happen that way.

terrific poem, Anne.
one of my favorites here...

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much jacob I truly appreciate your thoughts on the piece. Your interpretations are poetry in themselves.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

You know all wars are about pride and greed… one man's stubbornness leads to hundreds of deaths. Some pretty powerful writing.

[icelandicblue]

That is very true. Thank you so much for your words.

[Diana]

I see a lot in here: the greed, the destruction of mankind, and much more... The subtle artistry and tone make it a little eerie, but beautifully so.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Diana.

[Einstein Noodle]

your poem went into my favorites reading at once .. i am not sure what to say about it! powerful .. yep! significant .. absolutely .. pierces bullet proof vests .. yes! ... very very well said! ..
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Einstein.

[MsJewel]

I find myself drawn in by the depth and the power of your words...So many great lines...and the last verse..amazing. One of the best poems I've read on this site in a very long time. Brilliant writing.
:) Julie

[icelandicblue]

Wow thank you Julie I am so pleased that you liked this!

[s y e]

Anne, you grabbed me into your poem and didn't let me out until I had read it a bunch of times. This is one very powerful poem and your last stanza done it for me:

The sons of Adam had honed their weapons well ,
smashed the fruits of labors of all who had come before.
They had stolen the sweetest of sounds in a greedy grab for glory
and tossed it into the vacant winds of history.

I mean, how amazing is this? You are so amazeballs... well done!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks sweetie. I miss you a lot. I think...don't laugh...that I died in the snow during a war. I get really vivid pictures and so I write about them. I noticed after this one I use snow A LOT. You continue to grow and grow as a writer. Someday I'm going to tell people I knew you.

[s y e]

I miss you too, Anne. I have catching up to do with you, poetry wise and some gossiping!

read moreI miss you too, Anne. I have catching up to do with you, poetry wise and some gossiping!

See, to me, that is very interesting and rather intriguing. I have the same... Only for me, I died on an island. I was married, with two kids and a husband but I died. And see if you googled it and really looked for it, there was a woman who died on that island... Scary stuff but so interesting.

I have noticed you use snow a lot too but I like it and only after you telling me that do I realise how true it could be! Oh my, Anne, I feel the same about you. You're such an amazing, talented, beautiful poetess and I brag about you all the time... No lie.

[Pryde Foltz]

The sons of Adam had honed their weapons well ,
smashed the fruits of labors of all who had come before.
They had stolen the sweetest of sounds in a greedy grab for glory
and tossed it into the vacant winds of history

Let every writer spill their ink in the name of peace so no more boys need spill their blood in the name of oil. Tremendous write, Anne.

(On another note … autocorrect would have us spilling ink in the name of peach.)

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Pryde.

[Matching Socks]

Very powerful and moving write, the last line especially just grasps the reader and holds to pause for thought. Wonderful.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Ana. I apologize for missing your review.

[Matching Socks]

You're welcome. No worries. :)

[BL]

I became immersed in your words, there are some great lines in here, particularly the last one, I like the way it is set out too. You have retained enough mystery to keep me in the grey area. Great write.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you. I seem to write in images rather than on a continuum. There is no back story given, no real character development (although at times I will do that) I do leave that to the reader. I would like to string these images into a album of sorts like a short story but I haven't been able to do it yet. I shall for now remain the photographer poet. ; )

[BL]

You have a very powerful abstract style

[Ruth]

Goodness! This is exquisite! :) Damn powerful piece for sure...into my favourites and re-read, I think, brilliant! xo

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Poppy for that. It is so good to see you.

[Ruth]

My pleasure hon! And good to see you too xo

[A. Amos]

I was lost in your words, Anne really you're truly a magical writer. This was beyond par excellence!

[icelandicblue]

I am humbled. Thank you.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome my friend!