Your last breath is our cross
We are now shadows, unmoving
as we gaze at your body on couch
That Death's hands touched you
Painting you common mortal
under heavy curtains of dusk
Death is a thief
Robbing you of frail parting words
Our hearts are shattered ivory
Do you hear our choir of tears?
We implore darkness to hide our grief
Swallow us whole, bury us as sands
beneath your swollen feet
Myrrh on your bosom, chin & cheeks
can't stifle the stench of death in air
We remember you, as we pray
Eternal Mother, our undiminished light
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Hosted by Bjorn Rudberg ~ Join us when the pub opens at 3pm EST.
Wow - the darkness, and the death, the ivory hearts. What a splendid painting of words.
ReplyDeleteThat's an incredible painting and a marvellous poem, Grace! I love the title and there is plenty of darkness in the shadows, the 'body on the couch', 'Death's hands', the 'heavy curtains of dusk' and there's that very atmospheric 'choir of tears'. Chilling!
ReplyDeleteVery real very effective for me. The pacing of carefully chosen words really works well.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautifully written, De.
ReplyDeleteThe interplay of words here is striking...such resonant phrases...a wonderful poem Grace.
ReplyDeleteWe have a different view of death.
ReplyDeleteBut that doesn't make your words less powerful.
(it makes it more so)
Sure brings about the darkness indeed as each word takes seed.
ReplyDeleteDemise can be just as beautiful for special persons. They are deserving in darkness! Great wordcraft Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
Very effective words with that painting, especially like the opening verse.
ReplyDeleteMyrrh on your bosom, chin & cheeks
ReplyDeletecan't stifle the stench of death in air
Such poignant & powerful phrasing here, Grace ❤️ Kudos!
Such stunning imagery in almost every line...most beautiful Grace..."We implore darkness to hide our grief / Swallow us whole, bury us as sands / beneath your swollen feet" I can so relate to this...
ReplyDeleteThe most fragrant perfumes can not mask death.
ReplyDeleteGrace, you have really drawn a vivid picture of that thief Death!
ReplyDeleteShadows of
ReplyDeleteHoly
Sacred
niGht
liVing
in more than
myth riSinG liGhts
deep
in
closets
hidden human
liGht of more than clothed death..:)