Swamp tears inch down my cheeks
in a black stream of spoiled moonlight
searching for the hallelujah scream.
Oh, there’s dancing to do, but it takes
time to drown dove cries in freedom.
Ten years of walking whispers needs
to hold a wake for leaving so no soul raker
can resurrect timid from the grave.
©Susie Clevenger 2017
My goodness that's a hard-hitting opening Susie--every word quotable, every emphasis perfect. Then you sew it up with the remaining stanzas, leaving us gasping like fish out of water, confronted with the fact that some will never figure out how to stand upright. GREAT 55, and I'm so glad you could join us for a kickass weekend. (PS. I love the blog header, as well.)
ReplyDeleteI'm right with Joy, the first line made me sit up a bit straighter and lean into my screen. Can't stop wondering how long the tears where being held back to cause them to be stagnant enough to turn swamp-like.
ReplyDeleteI'm with them both ^^ This is such a potent mix of words that for me make it very clear that there is no going back.
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