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Open Poetry #37
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cinnabar
Junior Member
since 2006-03-10
Posts 33
Lot et Garonne, France.

0 posted 2006-03-11 09:25 AM


The well was old, and had long been sealed,
By moss, and scrambling eglantine. But
I was thirsty and hot, and had come down
To drink from the water I knew was mine.

The lid was stone-weight and reluctant
To be parted from its starry bonds of moss;
But I planted my feet, and with a shoulder,
Broke it free, slid it heavily across.

I dropped a stone into the empty throat,
And began to count, one, two, three..
The faint returning splash replied,
That the well was as deep as me.

But older than me, older still by far;
How many thirsts had it satisfied?
How many lovers had held hands on its rim,
Their wishes into the darkness sighed?

I leaned across the damp crumbling dark,
My eyes adjusting until I could see,
Far down, my head against a silver coin,
Still rippled by the stone I'd dropped,
Looking back at me.

I let the bucket fall, growing heavier
As the frayed, uncertain rope unwound.
Besides the cicadas' blank incessancy,
The noonday heat smothered every sound.

The windlass paused as the bucket touched;
I breathed thanks, at the limit of my rope.
A few seconds to fill, and then began to haul,
The burdening promise of my scope.

In summers of heat and plenty,
Some wells dry up, their rivers falter.
But the Spring rains,life's replenishing tears,
Soon fill them once again with water.

A green tooth, my well, a verdant stump;
A stone root, with its head a living tree,
In the dry and dusty courtyard of my life,
The space within the heart of me.

These shafts are sunk into the hearts of men,
Oft forgot, abandoned in the chase for goals.
But each one a green well-spring of hope,
Fed by the bedrock sources of their souls.

It is a commonplace, that even on the brightest day
We may still look up, and see the moon;
But did you know, that from the bottom of a well,
You can also see the stars, at noon?

© Copyright 2006 Michael Gryzna - All Rights Reserved
Ratleader
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026
Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass
1 posted 2006-03-11 10:00 AM


Fulfilled, or filled full....there is such a difference. Thank you for this.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
2 posted 2006-03-11 04:39 PM


cinnabar.....An amazing poem...with much beauty, truth and wisdom.  Like Ed, I thank you for the pleasure of reading it.
Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2006-03-11 04:49 PM


Thank you Michael...a most excellent read.
Hugs~Nancy

~ Trace my body with your words,
  in doing so, you touch my heart ~

StevenS
Senior Member
since 2005-09-21
Posts 945
L. A. (Lower Alabama)
4 posted 2006-03-11 04:53 PM


Awesome! Beauty with a wonderful message!
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
5 posted 2006-03-13 02:28 PM


Oh, wow... *S* This gave me chillbumps... the pleasure of reading it was that great! *S*
cinnabar
Junior Member
since 2006-03-10
Posts 33
Lot et Garonne, France.
6 posted 2006-03-13 06:40 PM


Thanks guys. Your words really mean a lot.
michael.

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