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Open Poetry #6
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The Tolling of the Bells... (revised)
| Open Poetry #6 |
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The Tolling of the Bells... (revised) |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
I walk alone in solitude, along deserted shore, Amongst the dunes of shifting sand, that rise from ocean's floor, Silence grips the frosted air, in quiet desolation, As I seek out a travelled path, to reach my destination. No way exists in trackless sand, in aimless drift I wander, Lost within sand's endless grains, as on my fate I ponder, Then for a fleeting instant, the rays of sun shine forth, As on the far horizon, lays pathway to the north. I leave behind cold ocean spray, my journey now on track, Foregoing seaside solitude, never gazing back, I hike along on country lane, cold breeze upon my face, Even in my frigid state, I feel a quiet grace. Far off in the distance, I hear a tolling bell, I walk along in cadence, encaptured by its spell, I am just a traveller, passing by this way, When I top that final hill, on cold December day. A biting wind comes out the north, soon will its teeth spit snow, An icy chill runs down my spine, as gaze on scene below, Three people stand beside a grave, wood coffin lays inside, Behind white church with tolling bell, a cold day to have died. I think perhaps inside the church, some warmth that I might find, So I walk towards the three, to ask if they would mind, They stand in total silence, no sorrow can I see, As I approach, three turn away, no word they say to me. The bell is tolling louder now, as I stand alone, Gazing down on open grave, beside a blank tombstone, I look around for mourners, no longer see the three, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Holy Trinity. Leafless trees above hang low, o'er deep and silent grave, Winter is descending, soon will the land enslave, Dark skies above foreboding, not yet a snowflake shed, In grip of icy tenacle, feel touch of recent dead. Soul's despair of haunting sorrow, hangs from the lifeless trees, Clouds of terror reaching out, bell's tolling death decrees, With mournful soul and somber limbs, am touched by lifeless breath, At frozen grave stand face to face, with unrelenting death. Unburied hopes of mindless dread, silent tomb below, Amid the echoes of perdition, first flakes of fallen snow, Shrouded by the sins of man, what specter lies within? Faceless mask of distant past, bell's unrelenting din. From the church's steeple, the bell tolls louder yet, Within my mind a madness, the tolling has beset, Do you hear the tolling, the tolling of the bell? O' God please stop the tolling, I hear my own death knell. |
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| © Copyright 2000 Mike - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
No matter how far you go, you can't out run your destiny....This poem is powerful and moving, Tim, and gave me shivers...the last two lines...Wow..just awesome. |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Mike, Another good one. I have really been enjoying your poetry Lizz |
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Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
My word! This is a splendidly dark and tangled piece of work, Mike. Excellent continuity, and use of the somewhat archaic form makes it that much more effective. Wonderful sense of accent and meter. I would love to hear this one read aloud. (Can you make a wav. file??)  ~ Claire |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Very good Mike |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I think we have a title for your book of poetry! "The Perfect Prosecution of Poetry"... Excellent sir...(this is deju vue)! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
For Whom the Bell Tolls.... If they toll in celebration of a work well done, then they toll for thee.....  |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Lovely work, heavy admittedly and well written. 'Writing sharpens life; life enriches writing' Sylvia Plath |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Marti- it is poor Kansans who are supposed to be shivering on March 1, not Californians, glad you enjoyed... Elizabeth- as I yours... Meadowmuse- I truly appreciate the comments, every once in a while my dark and tangled side emerges... I'll seek out my wave file... *smile* Ruth- thank you my dueling poetess... Ms. deVine- and when pray tell do I get my autographed copy of your book of poetry, or will I have to get on the waiting list? Thanks. Nan- Trying to test me with a literary quiz here? I think I skipped the day we read that book. Thanks for the comment, and when pray tell are you going to pleasure us with a post again? Severn- Thank you for the comment, appreciated. I have been trying to ride my bike more now that the weather is warming to slim down. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
This is excellent, Mike! I enjoyed this version as much as the first! It gave me chills too! Denise |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
...LOL...! (Slimming indeed...) K |
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