 |
| @jasonlimberg Used with Permission "The raven claw is a wick of an eternal flame, forever holding the gift of life, a flower." |
A solitary lily cannot take root
upon the grave of one
who snapped her
from the growing stem
for an instant of bliss
brief as a candle flame
guttering away the gloom -
nor the raven of nightfall
canary a eulogy for one
who could not strive
beyond the barriers
of his self-composed cage.
A poem inspired by the art of Jason Limberg which includes words from my Skylover Wordlist.
Love your opening. I love cut flowers but I often feel like I am killing them to brighten my day. The mind is strange territory. Oh, I so understand the self imposed cage.
ReplyDeleteStrange territory indeed!
DeleteThanks for coming over to read here, Susie.
“upon the grave of one
ReplyDeletewho snapped her”
That is such a fantastic line break.
“canary a eulogy” — “canary” as verb ... fab
Thanks, friend.
DeleteCanary was a difficult word to use, without actually referencing a canary!
I was going to mention this too. You brought it off perfectly.
DeleteThe lily snapped from her growing stem makes me think of an image I saw n facebook of the whole living world, attached to a root system that keeps her alive, with the hand of man getting ready to sever the planet from all that sustains it. Sigh. As is happening at an accelerating pace as we speak. I so admire your work, Kerry. Each poem an example of writing at its finest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherry. It is a very poignant image, in any context.
DeleteLilies are a favorite poetic device, appropriate as they are for both weddings and funerals. Love the art as well.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. I am very fond of them myself.
DeleteNightfall as a raven is also wonderful metaphor, esp since it canaries! I ovate, standing.
ReplyDeleteHow easily we snap and are snapped. Hopefully we are perennials. I loved this.
ReplyDeleteJoining my hopes to yours!
DeleteBeautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYou manage to combine a sense of delicacy and weight - a wonderful poem
ReplyDeleteKind of you to say. Thank you, Jae.
DeleteI really liked Colleen's comment. I love thinking that we can always find a way to grow. Even if it takes time, even if we have to move away and adapt, even if we require some help...
ReplyDeleteYes, Colleen does make a great point. Certainly adaptation is key to growth.
Delete"brief as a candle flame guttering away the gloom," .. this is so beautiful, so raw and touching, Kerry! May we always find a way to punch through despair and grow!❤️
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thank you, Sanaa.
DeleteWhen I take in the first and the last lines, the combination makes me think of someone I know. Such a deep and touching piece, Kerry.
ReplyDeletep.s. So lovely to read you here as well. As you know I'm not always around Instagram. :)
Thank you, Khaya. So good to see you too.
DeleteRaven and canary, both songbirds, ravens believed to carry souls between realms, and canaries kept in cages and when they stopped singing meant death. So to canary a eulogy almost feels like singing an elegy to oneself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful commentary.
DeleteI love the artwork, and your amazing poem not only matches but illuminates it.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Rosemary.
DeleteI'm reading a deeper meaning into this....and enjoying the process. Sublime!
ReplyDeleteThat's great. I am all about the deeper meanings in poetry.
Deletecanary a eulogy - such an interesting use - have tried unsuccessfully to do this 'noun as a verb' thing, now I'll remember this example when I attempt next.
ReplyDelete"For an instant of bliss brief as a candle flame"- what a thought provoking line. Beautiful Kerry.
ReplyDeleteEach line is so rich, it is a complete poem by itself. This is beautiful. Lovely writing.
ReplyDeleteOh the self imposed cage... maybe also lilies snap themselves
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a deeper meaning too; not quite figured out (my) interpretation of the raven...
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
The raven is a personification of death, or the end of a cycle. The line suggests it does not mourn for the person who is 'deceased' or 'ceased' to evolve due to self-sabotage or an inability to progress to the next level.
DeleteAnd may I add my thanks to all who have commented on this poem. I appreciate your thoughts.
Great reading, Kerry. That self imposed cage confines so many of us, off and on or all the time like its victim in your poem. Bad, scary situation.
ReplyDelete..
There are so many layers to this. I love the way you wove the despair within this write.
ReplyDelete