Saturday, March 7, 2015

the night



the shadows we follow


 Your hand is heavy, Night, upon my brow
I am flushed with fever, pulse incessant of waves
submitting to shadows like headless wind

The moon is draped in blue ice glace
I am woman, prying open the clam
holding the key pearling the sky bloody red

Exhale the ghost's captive gazes
Exhale anguished lies
Inhale the lover's whispers, Night,
Inhale rain, sultry smoky notes

I turn over to you, these words    
weld them into peridot 
dark olive-green

My mask cannot hide me now
And I come unbidden, birthing 
with mercuric heart-


Title, first line & words inspired by Nobel Prize Wole Soyinka's Night poem. 



Posted for Imaginary Garden for Real Toads - We are getting inspired by Wole Soyinka's poems and Poets United - Thanks for the visit ~
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41 comments:

  1. MaryMarch 7, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    Masks really are only a temporary measure....cannot hide the essence of the real person.

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  2. Brian MillerMarch 7, 2015 at 8:43 PM

    i love the inhalation and exhalation lines...and how that leads into the birthing grace...nice tension and sense of struggle leading up to it as well..

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  3. Gloria BakerMarch 7, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    absolutely amazing Grace!

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  4. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMarch 7, 2015 at 9:15 PM

    Well inspired, to create a new poem the equal of the original.

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  5. Pat HattMarch 7, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    Eventually everything will birth on through and be right there to view

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  6. Sherry Blue SkyMarch 7, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    Wow! I have to go visit Toads and read this poem and poet - some fantastic writing inspired by his work. This is wonderful, Grace.

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  7. brudbergMarch 8, 2015 at 1:12 AM

    The turn when going from exhale to inhale to gather strength and drop the mask.. What a great progression. Like a condensation of the inspired poem, a clear path towards the light. Wonderful.

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  8. SusanMarch 8, 2015 at 4:32 AM

    MyMy!
    "I turn over to you, these words
    weld them into peridot
    dark olive-green . . . "

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  9. Vandana SharmaMarch 8, 2015 at 5:02 AM

    So many shades a woman has to her personality!

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  10. ClaudiaMarch 8, 2015 at 5:10 AM

    i love the mercuric heart and heavy night upon the brow...gives a sense of the weight...also love how you weave in the olive green shade..

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  11. Old EggMarch 8, 2015 at 5:49 AM

    What a delightful read this was.

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  12. Jae RoseMarch 8, 2015 at 6:08 AM

    Reclaiming the night as only a woman can...i love the green..made me think of emeralds and the dark night and bright glow of her mercuric heart...i can hear it loud and clear...

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  13. Kerry O'ConnorMarch 8, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    Such a beautiful description - I really love the description of the second stanza - such a perfect view of womanhood.

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  14. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)March 8, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    i enjoyed the subtleties of the wonderful dynamics in the spirit of a women in this piece. as a male who was brought up by a single parent, mammasita, i embrace all of the nuanced characteristics in this lovely piece.

    gracias, Grace-fully written

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  15. humbirdMarch 8, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    Mercuric heart ~ what a strong image! Love your interpretation, Grace! ~ Ths for challenge!

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  16. totomaiMarch 8, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    this is somewhat about freedom and liberation kabayan. i liked how it flows until it releases. graceful.

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  17. Gillena CoxMarch 8, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    "welding words and removing masks; exhaling and inhaling" luv the freeing exhilarating mood of this poem

    happy Womens Day

    much love...

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  18. UnknownMarch 8, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Dear Grace
    Very powerful poem....
    Love this line: "The moon is draped in blue ice glace"

    Hugs
    JetteMajken

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  19. MarianMarch 8, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    I love the strength of your gems and elements here. Wonderful, Grace!

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  20. AnonymousMarch 8, 2015 at 11:30 AM

    these words
    weld them into peridot
    dark olive-green

    So very lovely, Grace

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  21. PanchaliMarch 8, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    One keeps reading about abuse and violence on women,... the anxiety, the trust issues...but the story when confronts us in real life...is infuriating. But, this poem gives strength..hope...
    Very beautiful n powerful piece, Grace.

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  22. UnknownMarch 8, 2015 at 1:33 PM

    Grace, this is a great write. So much wisdom & strength wrapped around every word.

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  23. 21 WitsMarch 8, 2015 at 1:39 PM

    Superbly done!

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  24. Jannie FunsterMarch 8, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    So many beautiful images, as always, Grace.

    And I have missed you!!

    xoox

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  25. AnonymousMarch 8, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    Hi Grace, no one like you sings the love song, this response in kind to Wolyinka's "Night." As the beloved his voice opened, offering this pearl. So sweet. I started with that first line as well, did you see who ended up in it? She who brought Wolyinka to us ... Thanks.

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  26. TruedessaMarch 8, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    The 3rd stanza really made me catch my breath..beautifully said..

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  27. DonnaMarch 8, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    I must say I was breathing deeply these words as they were inhaled and exhaled through my senses...lovely!

    Donna@LivingFromHappiness

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  28. C.C.March 8, 2015 at 8:44 PM

    The exhale/inhale stanza is my favorite and the way you've incorporated some of his lines but yet still made them wholly your own....so very creative and brilliant. Just so beautiful. And the photo is stunning too.

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  29. JimMarch 8, 2015 at 10:08 PM

    I like the way these verses of yours fit right into the two of Soyinka's. You imitated his style so nicely, I didn't realize that you had not written the entire poem. Good job, Grace !!
    ..

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  30. Debi SwimMarch 8, 2015 at 10:09 PM

    Peridot is one of my favorite colors... this poem is amazing Grace(oh, didn't intend the pun) still, it is amazing.

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  31. OutlawyerMarch 8, 2015 at 11:43 PM

    Hi Grace--lovely close here especially--very passionate yet finely wrought. Thanks. k. (manicddaily)

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  32. HannahMarch 9, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Love the pairing with the image, Grace...intriguing...a line that grabbed me was, "pearling the sky bloody red," and the use of peridot...love the poem and thank you for the inspiration in this poet!

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  33. AnonymousMarch 9, 2015 at 12:37 PM

    Wonderful! Love the use of color throughout.

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  34. Rajiv SankarapillaiMarch 10, 2015 at 10:35 AM

    cool...

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  35. AnonymousMarch 10, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    Absolutely fantastic images!
    I love the moon draped in blue ice glace

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  36. Wendy BourkeMarch 10, 2015 at 8:07 PM

    Beautiful and sensual. Lovely writing!

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  37. NamrataMarch 10, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  38. Susie ClevengerMarch 11, 2015 at 12:34 AM

    So beautiful Grace, I especially love the second verse.

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  39. Optimistic ExistentialistMarch 11, 2015 at 8:38 AM

    Breathtakingly beautiful writing...

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  40. Jennifer WagnerMarch 11, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    I like your inspired work from the original, Grace. Beautiful!

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  41. grapelingApril 2, 2015 at 1:10 AM

    quite dreamy ~

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