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Dark Poetry #4
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coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077


0 posted 2003-10-17 11:51 PM


This night he is an angry mob,
dispensing crucifixion.
A square bottle is all but gone,
its missing contents,
ripping through a temple
that once shunned
the fiery taste of liquid doctrine,
rebuking Pharisees, whoremongers,
moneychangers, and the golden calves,
of a far lesser conscience.

From the aged skeins of thread
which weave his cloak
of coarsest woolen origins,
whose many patches yield
to knotted and burnt edges,
reeking of violent stains
received without dire notice or request,
we gather information most curious,
and quite unexpected knowledge
to peruse.

Truly he has lived in shrewdness,
for a furrowed brow gives testament,
to worries formed abreast of stress
and judgment.
His neck is thick set on shoulders broad,
with arms and hands attached
which speak from sinew and calloused skin,
to tell of labors stretched beyond the needs
of husbandry and sustenance.

A warrior, perhaps Centurion,
long since surrendered unto peace,
having set the torch of victory
to fallen fortresses and city states,
across scores of vanquished
and forgotten kingdoms,
where spoils were never destined
to be shared among the common ranks.

He speaks with no distinctive lilt or accent,
yet seems to comprehend with ease
the most abstract of foreign parlance,
and conveys full meaning in conversations
of hypnotic silence,
spoken from the ocean depths
of pale blue eyes.

Thus you may ask:
“How could an astute
and educated man
let himself be drowned
in swigs of common ignorance?”

Alas good people,
the bright “how” should be straightforward,
for it is the darker “why”,
which far exceeds it in perplexity.

Why does any man become his own messiah?



"Who knows if to live is to be dead, and to be dead, to live? And we really, it may be, are dead; in fact I once heard sages say that we are now dead,

[This message has been edited by coyote (10-17-2003 11:54 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 coyote - All Rights Reserved
eor
Senior Member
since 2002-09-26
Posts 959
blues & greys
1 posted 2003-10-18 03:35 AM


this was a really good write...it is kinda funny because whoremongers is my word of the week, so it made me laugh...

"For those who understand you, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, none is possible."

Asian Rain
Member
since 2003-10-11
Posts 73

2 posted 2003-10-18 09:04 AM


The questions you've asked give one much to think about.  A very strong write I'll be coming back to many times.
coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

3 posted 2003-10-18 10:20 AM


Thanks for the read and the comments, eor.
I also note your "word for the week" with a smile, and say that fate is often found behind coincidence.

coyote 8)

coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

4 posted 2003-10-18 10:25 AM


Thanks for reading and your kind comments, Asian Rain. They are most appreciated.

coyote 8)

River
Senior Member
since 2003-09-16
Posts 627
my own little world
5 posted 2003-10-18 02:31 PM


not only did the title of this spark my christian minded interest, but the poem as a whole is something so deep, i'll have to read it over several times to fully understand what you are saying here. =). i totally agree with the last line. "Why does any man become his own messiah?" a very good question, it is, and i think the answer can only come from the true messiah himself.  great job on this =)

         - River

Love hurts as bad as it feels good.

coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

6 posted 2003-10-18 05:20 PM


Thank you so much for your in depth read and comments, river.
And you are quite correct, this write is in no way meant to detract from the glory of the "One".

Coyote 8)

cusick
Senior Member
since 2003-07-27
Posts 668

7 posted 2003-10-19 01:07 PM


This really is something. So well written and full of interest. I, too, will be reading it again.Maggie

coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

8 posted 2003-10-19 01:54 PM


Thanks for reading and commenting so kindly, Maggie.
I appreciate it very much.

coyote 8)

"Who knows if to live is to be dead, and to be dead, to live? And we really, it may be, are dead; in fact I once heard sages say that we are now dead,

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