Invocation

A candle burns for all of you today;

marshals its unflinching flame, braces

for the quick sharp blast of sudden breath

as the dark inhales a strand of smoke.

I know the darkness but I am no prince,

just another faceless futile serf

scratching out a meager sustenance

from the barren, stony soil of conscience.

The field lay fallow far too long a time

and weedy evil flourished, nourished

by the rocks which trip me, send me sprawling

on the ground where you once grew as flowers,

wild with color, ripe with scent - just peace

planted with no purpose but to please me.

Each of you would bloom in your own season,

bringing me to roll and thrash among you;

trampling blossoms, stomping on your stems

and walking off elated, smeared with your perfume,

unthinking of the crushed and damaged leaves

and unconcerned to cultivate your growth.

An undeserved damnation of indifference

damped your fragrance, dried your living colors

and left your stalks to rustle in the wind

which whistles, cold and steady through my life.

Day by day I now pull weeds, dig up stones,

sow what seeds I have, pray for grace and rain

and light a candle for you every Sunday...

and for good measure, curse the darkness still.

(c)1999 Joel M. Frye

Reviews

[FJ Davis]

Ran out of superlatives a long time ago. Pick your favorite, Joel--and raise it to the nth power.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I see someone here tending the grounds around the headstones of those who came before and honoring their lives. Bear, this is a splendid write and your words flow so smoothly.

[LA Lorena]

This is stunning Joel. You paint a picture of regret and sorrow, not for yourself, but for those who you had pained in the past. Very intense, and I hope cleansing as well. Yesterday is gone, but tomorrow is yours to treat differently.

[Lily Mae]

I can feel where this has come from.. A deep and intense write Joel.. Thank you for sharing...x