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Open Poetry #48
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Rings
| Open Poetry #48 |
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Rings |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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Rings I wandered through the forest, lost, A product of the winter’s frost. With dream the toll this quest was due, He stood there alone, and I knew, (With wind swirling 'round leafless trees), The god I sought ignored my pleas. And so he spoke; and so I heard, Through familiarity of word, Vast venues of isolation I first met with trepidation... Then found comforting, just the same, And so I asked this kid his name. But he just looked at me and smiled— From the shadows, whittled and wiled Away at something deep and dark, Where angels would not dare to hark. He fashioned me a ring of wood, And really, I thought it quite good. Burnished black name across the band, I didn't need know to understand. A name I could call anywhere, To find he would always be there. But there I called and he was gone— The ring was worn, the spirit drawn. ******* While tempest-tossed on the dark sea, With my mind playing tricks on me, Her name was whispered by the wind— That cold wind I once thought my friend... But as I whispered the name back The lightning flashed across the black, And there she stood before me, still, To answer me, for good or ill. I loved her, that was all I knew, Though of love I had not a clue; As she proffered a ring of glass I thought purely a thing of class. How could I know the pain it held? Those shattered remnants of love felled? Till next flash left me cold, and blind But for an image caught in mind... A taste of early autumn bliss, The warm sunshine, a fragrant kiss. The gentle hands that pulled me close, Then introduced me to morose Despair, at hands I could not hold. As darkness crept in with the cold Sea rising, as I watched hope sink, And gave myself unto the drink. ******* Until, upon the shores of hell, He lifted me from where I fell— A pillar of strength, standing tall. Crystal blue eyes, beheld in thrall As the waves crashed upon his form, While he simply ignored the storm. I watched, completely mesmerized, Never noting how compromised; As he chiseled a ring from stone, For me to carry on, alone... Just never shared the call to pain Such existence must preordain. And so I built my tower high Enough to look God in the eye, Question of Him the bitter ends Life yields as our sole dividends. But somewhere in a crumbling heap, I found the price of stone comes cheap; With dust in mouth, with burning eyes And listlessness most deem a prize. But it’s not patience when you’re dead Inside, and movement’s all you dread, Ignoring all life offers you As just more rubble to wade through. ******* ‘Twas there she smiled, then looked away, And I lost eight years in a day... Gave chase through tiers of agony, Convinced that I must set her free. But when she stopped to say, “I do,” I learned that old adage was true: Be careful what you’re wishing for, You just might get it, and some more! She bound me with a ring of blood, Then drug me through the muck and mud. Offering me a puppet’s stroll, As I just offered up my soul. But never would she smile again, Till I was a “remember when...” With two shadows left far behind A father she wouldn’t let them find! And it would tear my soul in two, To think of all she put me through. With her still lashing out at me, If but passive-aggressively. Though I moved on, or thought I did, Trying to keep that anger hid... But found there’s always room for doubt Once the heart’s bled completely out. ******* Unto the desert’s dying sands I sifted, to wash clean my hands; Drinking to drown my ev’ry thought And damned dream that this mind had wrought From ashes, or from skies of blue— From sorrow, or from love sworn true— From rings given fingers of flame, That burned from each giver their name. The vanity completely run, I saw him working, in the sun. A master of both iron, and fire— I saw his temperance, and ire. Where he didn’t drink, but drank with me, Giving the toast to apathy, And pointlessness of going on, Once everything you’ve loved is gone! But then, with calculated smirk, I watched him return to his work. And there, he forged a ring of steel ‘Round his heart, so he couldn’t feel. Apprenticed, I strove to be taught, (My mind bent around one cold thought); A ring like that would serve me true, And in fact did, till I met you. ******* Where after years of naught but rain, I found a respite from the pain. With an angel’s voice, soft and dear, That claimed my soul, relinquished fear. And so I followed, weak of will, Till breeze ran me utterly still... As, mesmerized with such desire, Stood you, opposite the small fire. I stood dumbstruck, a man – no voice! You must’ve assumed ‘twas by choice... As you said you were glad I came, And did this calling me by name. Where, without looking up to see, Nor having to, to perceive me; You wrought for me a ring of gold, That I ran away with, and sold! For years of misery and pain, That I strapped on you, like a chain Of dead weight ever dragging down My one true love to hell’s renowned Fortress of inner solitude; Fit for a queen, astute, and shrewd... For even gold has a melting point My demons just had to anoint! ******* And as I watched prison bars close— As I was left unto the throes Of silence, agony, and sin; I first perceived that ring within. A ring of fire, it defined me. All I touch scorched, equivocally... Their hearts, their minds, their souls, their trust, Ashes to ashes, dust to dust! A gift from mom, at such young age, I never saw, for all the rage Driving my mind so completely Past the thresholds of Misery; But in this epiphany caught My first glimpse of the God I sought... With understanding of all things— With understanding of the rings I had been given, I had worn, That left me jaded— left me torn! I can see now with clear sight, Proffered from His one ring of light. But means to cut and polish gem— But facets to help reflect Him... These rings I wore were never mine, Just tools to make His diamond shine. Michael Anderson 5/12/13 With thanks to: Wood:Brent Albritton Glass:Jeanette Martin Stone: Charles T. Anderson Sr., (my father) Blood: Sondra Davis (Anderson) Steel:Charles T. Anderson Jr. Gold: Linda Gayle Bramblett (Anderson) Fire: Norma Anderson, (my mother) Light:God above |
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| © Copyright 2013 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Fine writing displaying lots of talent...James |
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Lady Goodman Member
since 2012-10-04
Posts 193 |
I won't (nor can I) pretend to understand the whole of this in one read. As always, as from the very first time I ever read you, it made me want to answer you between the lines. People talk about meter, talk about flow, and blah de blah, and honestly, I did falter at certain points, but that happens with me with anything I read.  An epopee, as it is, dear Michael. Your title is quite apt in that, like rings from a stone's drop into a pond, it is quite an exercise to be both attentive and yet lose one's self in the expansion of the verses. I found it very Tolkien, and by the time I'd finished, I had forgotten your title. Then I smiled.Enjoyed the trek taken with you. |
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Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
What can I say? This is classic you! It is filled with love and dispair and hope. The rings are brilliant! Lori |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
I'm worn out. Reading this was like reading the diary of the most persecuted man in the world. Your demons are real and they are long-lasting. I am beginning to understand that they (your demons) are your safeguard for future lapses into the world of love and its detours and roadblocks. Still, I am not ready to give up on you, however great the temptation might be. My demons are the exact opposite of yours, my friend, mine were the ones who caused all the pain, not any of my lovers. I never thought I was capable of love, but I was wrong. In your case you were very capable, but you were sandbagged at every turn it seems. So much so that you are erecting STOP! DO NOT ENTER! signs at the mere mention of the "L" word. This is a classic. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
You are the diamond, Michael, you do shine brightly! Ms. E |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
A brilliant write, Michael! During life we're perhaps given more rings than we are really aware of but let's hope the purpose was indeed to make "the diamond shine" at least somewhere and at some time eventually. Still, to come out writing (and hopefully smiling) burdened with all those rings must count for something. My best to you. Helen |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Exquisite, as always Michael. My fervent prayer for you, is that one day (however impossible that may seem to you or me or anyone else, but I will keep praying every time I see your name) that you can forgive yourself for everything. You are human. We are all sinners. Owl |
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Gale Senior Member
since 2013-06-10
Posts 578Russia |
A very interesting biography! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Michael ... this is spectacular. Truly. There are soooo many wonderful lines throughout ... "Away at something deep and dark, Where angels would not dare to hark." ‘Twas there she smiled, then looked away, And I lost eight years in a day..." I especially enjoyed those particulars lines above, but so many more. I loved the way you developed your theme, as each of the rings seemed to loop back onto themselves, bringing you back full circle over and over again. It amazes me how our lives can move in this way. Beautifully crafted and so very well thought out through and through. I didn't pause until the end, as the tributes brought your content further into perspective. Wonderfully written indeed. Best wishes, /Kit |
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