Saturday, May 14, 2011

I Could Not Lie At All

At the midnight hour of my fall
My father saw me and wept
He gave me life and an age-old glass
And a promise he knew I’d forget.

The room turned wide and green
My burdens laughed and left
I crashed into a spineless sea
My fears were cold and bereft.

A single door pushed forth to unleash
A vibrant wave of song
The music burned above the din
The night grew young and long.

I kissed the hill of a shadow’s cheek
I knew no guilt or calm
The golden lights flashed a moment’s truth
I felt the floor with my palms.

I took a mirror to my rotting teeth
A hungry child on a swing
And when the walls offered no return
The swing lurched forth into spring.

The moon swayed me like a tide
I took a breath at your shore
And felt the bones of a blazing hand
One I could never ignore.

The force of love rocked me clean
Two children shook and shoved
You must accept my apology
If I failed to make you feel loved.

The eyes of lamps blinked and waned
The carpet knew no crimes
I drank communion from a bowl
Just to hold you one more time.

I took my voice and cast it off
Into the grave of sounds
The tomb screamed back just like the wind
But there was no one around.

I fell into a shallow well
My dreams were bright as ice
I woke to find you sweet as sleep
And even truer than life.

1 comment:

  1. Holy shit, the rhyme scheme in this is phenomenal! Well placed, all of them, and such stunning imagery in this poem. A few suggestions though - (And Kaleb, do tell me if my suggestions are unwanted or conceited or what have you, I am only attempting to offer constructive feedback, know that I still love your poetry anyway)

    "The night grew young and long." Maybe this should be young, but long? young and long don't seem to work together for me, I don't equate the two. The reference to the hungry child on a swing after the rotting teeth came abruptly and I didn't see the connection.

    The moon swayed me like a tide
    I took a breath at your shore
    And felt the bones of a blazing hand
    One I could never ignore. - this stanza is beautiful. I love the connection of moon and tide, the poetic form and alliteration in "bones of a blazing hand" with the o of "ignore" ahhhh love it!

    The last stanza is my next favorite, absolutely beautiful and with stunning simplicity. I dig it! This poem is great!

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