Sunday, June 12, 2011

With What Remains


Josh Summers

With what remains

I kneel in dirt, so dusty, so dry, so creek-bed-dead
I cry
I breathe in ash, so cinder, so charred, so colorless gray
I pray
I bleed

With what remains

Drops of blood splash
On barren earth in time with my wristwatch
Tick
Parched pale land swallows each red
Drip
A thirst never quenched, a glut with no
Quit


I plead
With what remains

______

I fled
Yesterday
Rotting in a pine box

So much
In the past

I knelt on gold, so bright, so bold, so filthy rich cold
I lied
I drank fine wine, so dry, so smooth, so sate with pride
I died

Like a loosed leaf
Dried

I saw what remained of me

In a creek bed
Dead

______

I plead from what is left

Mercy … God … please
Forgive
Grant another step
Consume time survived
Like a seed
In your garden of life

And if I bloom in spring
Let my reflection
Be
Your face

With what remains

Of me
In You


For Sunday Scribblings #271 "The next step" and Poetry Pantry #53

10 comments:

Judith C Evans said...

"And if I bloom in spring Let my reflection be Your face" -- wow, what a glorious verse in this soulful poem. Love it!

Christine said...

This is so so good, this time your words have left tears in my eyes. I am so shaken by this, wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Wow!

Reflections said...

Stunning depth here... heartfelt. The image is amazing!

Marian said...

yes! i love this phrase "a glut with no quit" whoosh!

i also came by to say this: As Poets United celebrates its first anniversary this week, we want to thank you for your support. Over the past year, we have grown to 250 members plus and are steadily growing. Poets United is proud to have you as one of our members and look forward to another successful year. Your imagination, creativity and willingness to share with us is what makes our community such a wonderful place. Thank you for beautiful poetry and thank you for being a part of Poets United.

Altonian said...

This is just a remarkable poem, about which I will not presume to comment. Great!

Jae Rose said...

What an effort these steps require..the loss..the despair..the request for something..anything..big, big write..Jae

Pat Cegan said...

To say anything would be too much. To say nothing is to say too litle. I simply bow my head in acknowledgement of this poem and photo. They take my breath! pat

Jess PJ said...

the rhythm is engaging and definite. a wonderfully passionate piece

bluebell books said...

powerful imagery,

brilliant piece of expressions.
keep it up.

I'm Just a Man (Recording Experiment ... I can't sing)

I am in the mood to change my tree to a cubic version.