Stillness

Sometimes I am so consumed by fear that I can do nothing but write.

the broken earth yields 

forth its parchment leaves

beneath the red glow 

of a well-wrung rock

that forks the sky and 

shakes the rusted bark.

there may still be hope 

in these stilled waters;

not all that glitters 

is specular stone.

there may still be hope 

but I am afraid.

afraid that heaven's

eye has passed over

the seven sleeper's

den, where long I dwelt

in unbound bondage

to smoke and shadow.

afraid that freedom

brings with it failure,

and that all my words

will crumble as ash

on the precipice

of stillborn silence.

I will live or die

by this fear; I hope

only that I can

wring lightning from stone

and save those tender

dreams I call my own.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Your words certainly will not "crumble as ash"! A write filled with determination and great hopes for the future. Wonderful work. Lydi**

[paracelsian]

Thanks very much, Lydia!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

This is a strong write. You have used all of the poetic devices well--form, style, imagery, word choice, syllabic structure, etc. I enjoy the concept, because it is something that I can relate to; I often wonder if there is anything else that I can do in this world besides write, and then I just sort of go with it. Great opening and closing stanzas, my favorites.

wring lightning from stone
and save those tender
dreams I call my own. -- favorite lines.

[paracelsian]

Thanks very much for your comment! It's terribly disheartening to see all the wonderful things other people can do that you cannot; it's a hard thing to keep in perspective the fact that you can do things that they can't.

[ShelleyA]

A good write about your fears. Heartfelt and introspective. Well crafted free verse. Good imagery and descriptives. Nice use of personification - "heaven's eye" and nice use of simile:
"all my words
will crumble as ash
on the precipice
of stillborn silence."
Good depth of feeling. You express this fear well throughout your poem, yet still you have a glimmer of hope to hold on to your dreams. Nicely penned. Write on!

[paracelsian]

Thanks Shelley, I definitely will!

[ShelleyA]

You're welcome. Have a good day!