Sacred Ground

 

 

The air is bathed by western wind

on the head of a silver cloud

whose raining hair is scented fresh

as spring in a burgeoning shroud;

and feathers flank the gnarled old tree

whose branches waved their last farewell

when lightning struck and burst in flame

as though a timber straight from hell.

 

The sky swirls into skirts of storm

that unravel in shades of gray.

One seed that wafted into nest

has now blossomed into display.

It sings among the tangled vines,

the notes written on sheets of air,

and breaks the silence of the morn

with its ever hopeful prayer.

 

Yesterday the birth of hindsight.

Today the wings of what's to come.

Tomorrow a chance for freedom

with the dawning millennium.

We're born to die in retrospect,

chasing the wind into the wave

on echoes of eternity

that lead us blindly to the grave.

 

There is wisdom in the journey

that is retained when we return.

When a woman swallows the moon,

the heart of darkness starts to burn;

and each man shall rise in glory

from sacred ground that gives him birth

spreading wings like God's Great Spirit

over emerald peaks of earth.

 

 

Author's Note

Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code

Reviews

[Gleb Zavlanov]

Your poetry has sucked the last, last breath of mine. Like Frieda P said, you use breathtaking imagery and the message is so deep, oceans seem shallow. :). You should consider submitting your work to magazines and even publishing an anthology, if you haven't already. I'm sure your readers won't ever be disappointed. I'm also sure your poetry shall go down to be classics soon.

[Forest Green]

Marvelous, as the contrast between the wrinkle-mapped skin of life and experience, what eyes have seen but no longer can, is saved in wisdom that so often is kept away by lack of curiosity.

Without flaw...

[Frieda P]

I'm blown away by your vivid imagery Linda. Had to read this one over again to get the full effect, it's awe inspiring from first word to last.

We're born to die in retrospect,
chasing the wind into the wave
on echoes of eternity
that lead us blindly to the grave.

That could stand alone and be affecting.
Well done!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Frieda. I'm so honored by your visit and the beauty of your words.

[Frieda P]

As I was enthralled by the depth & beauty of your poetry, my pleasure Linda.

[Dean]

There is so MUCH in this poem! Even without the picture of the old Indian, I'm lost in admiration and lust for beauty in this piece...not withstanding the demand of the actual content for attention. One actually swims in the poem as an environment preferable in the moment, to sight, and sound, and air! "When a woman swallows the moon, the heart of darkness starts to burn" Damn, what writing!! The piece should be enshrined permanently among the masterpieces. Linda, I tremble at it.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Well! This has to be one of the most wonderful comments ever received by anyone, anywhere, at any time. I thank from the bottom of the well of my heart. You are like the sun shining over its rim. :-)

[Mark]

Anyone who has ever lived in the South and has watched a thunderstorn through all its phases of development cannot possibly miss your imagery, here: the cumulonimbus horsetails sweep in at altitude, suggestive of impending but as yet unfelt violence; the lovely, fluffy cirrus inexplicably blossom into flat-headed cirrostratus; the sudden but brief assault of light, wind and slashing "raining hair", then lastly (all in a half hour), the smells of fresh air and greenness again. As often as I have experienced this phenomenon, why has it never occured to me to apply it to the process which is Life: Foreboding, Beauty concealing Violence, inevitable Betterment? AS, need I add, you just have, so...well, gosh, just can't seem to find an adequately superlative adjective, here, Sorry...

[Augustus]

I know how much you value structured verse and it is amply evident in this poem of yours. This is a beautiful commentary on life itself...laced with lovely imagery....the structure is also in perfect harmony with the thoughts and emotions...
The beginning is quite breathtaking with the phrase "head of a silver cloud
whose raining hair is scented fresh " making a lasting impression. The poem about life ironically, begins with death...And from the darkness, life is born, as the second stanza shows... was reminded of the Greek creation myth...
The third stanza then speaks of life in elegant lines, describing all those moments spent in thoughts about the past and the future...retrospection and anticipation...here, the line "we're born to die in retrospect" stands out with its profundity...and the last stanza is about that one virtue which separates man from the rest of the creatures.."wisdom", and the road to man's apotheosis is portrayed here, in the line "spreading wings like God's Great Spirit "...
Brilliantly penned!

[Dinesh Sairam]

I've hardly used the word 'Vivid' on any review. This is probably the first I'm gonna use on.. This one's vivid in every aspect of poetry, imagery and rhyme.

"Yesterday the birth of hindsight.
Today the wings of what's to come.
Tomorrow a chance for freedom
with the dawning millennium. "

Perfect meter there! :) Kudos.

"spreading wings like God's Great Spirit
over emerald peaks of earth. "

Words sure can paint a mural. You're one of the living examples of it :)

My favorite and 100 :)

Keep writing :) :)

[Dream Weaver]

Magnificent write! I adore every thing about this poem.
It took my breath away and has inspired me. Nicely done.

[Coyote Poetry]

A outstanding poem. Such beauty and wisdom in your words. I like the complete poem. Remind me of a old Native American tale. The ending was so beautiful.
Coyote

[LSS]

Linda,
What a beautiful picture you paint. I see the old tree and the ravages of time. Yet out of hopelessness comes unexpected life in the most unexpected way - wonderful!
"and feathers flank the gnarled old tree
whose branches waved their last farewell
when lightning struck and burst in flame
as though a timber straight from hell. "
contrasts:
"One seed that wafted into nest
has now blossomed into display. "
Enjoyed!
Lar