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.

[therisa]

I agree with KL, I can't say it, any better than, Jacob has done. Truly, a magnificent piece of writing, which I'm adding to my fave list.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so very much therisa that is very kind of you. I am happy you enjoyed the poem.

[therisa]

I have, very deeply.

[Rene Salinas]

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment said Thoroeau and well it seems fitting after reading this. A moment that seeks yet there is no consolation, the following invitation to die yet death shall have no dominion , full of quotes today, I think that's John Donne as death itself shall die. And all the work and the offering thrown into the winds of time to bestow time.

Sacred solemnity .

Thankyou

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Rene for sharing quotes from such notables after reading my poem. I worked hard to stay away from using the word toll, specifically because of Hemmingway, and I cursed him as I wrote because it chased me around this poem endlessly. However, in the end, it feels more like mine that way. Again thank you as always for taking the time to write your interesting and kind reviews.

[Lyn Anderson]

Well, as often happens, Jacob spoke so eloquently I cannot really say much else.
The last stanza packs a powerful punch, and the first two lines of it are just fantastic.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much KL. I always look forward to your visits. ; )

[Lyn Anderson]

And I enjoy visiting. In your case, you understand the perfect and in my opinion correct usage of the RR - and you never take advantage or abuse the privilege.

[icelandicblue]

I appreciate that. ; )