Sunday 27 September 2020

The Second Going

 


I felt my father’s hand again on my forehead

and saw my mother’s face like a badge of courage;

all around was barren, the sun pouring its fire

and every foot was bleeding, its sole torn open.

The rocks were naked, parched, the oasis was red -

shrivelled, scattered skeletons lay around its edge,

the horizons were hazy, a cloud of barbed wire,

and time a measured beat, a slow stifled poem.

 

My mother untied her apron, the winds snapped it up.

The caravan stopped dead like still statues in stone -

they’d come as far as they could, now had to turn back.

My father gave me a drink, the last from his cup

and pointed me due west. So I went on alone.

The sands behind me dribbled and filled in my tracks.








15 comments:

  1. Oh Nila.
    This poem makes me ache for and with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for being here and for your friendship and concern. Value them beyond words.

      Delete
  2. Holy crap. You have opened your soul. Thanks and wow.
    Powerful. I truly wish I could write like you. It's as if you know me...all across the ocean and world. Kindred spirits my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That kindred spirits feeling is quite mutual, Joanne it's like you took the words out of my brain :) Glad you liked the poem.
      And I hope we will get to be across a table somewhere sometime instead of across oceans.

      Delete
  3. Hari OM
    OMG... I cannot offer words in return... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the company that counts. Happy to have your words and silence both, anytime.

      Delete
  4. Wow. That's really deep. I love how vivid you made this, how painful and yet ending with hope. Great work.

    I am excited for the upcoming YA scavenger book hunt (YASH), and for the Pass or Pages query contest at Operation Awesome with the YA category this October. I hope you've been staying healthy and thriving as best as you can this year.

    - J

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, so far so okay, getting by as best as I can. Have to say 2020 is not my favourite year. :) Glad you liked the poem.

      All the very best for YASH! Stay safe and well.

      Delete
  5. Oh wow Nila. Sue directed me here. She’s worried you’ve lost your father. But no, you would have said??

    You have opened your soul as only you can.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no no, thank God! He's as well as can be expected under the circs, coping as best as he can. As we all are, I guess. Thank you for asking and for your concern, both you and Sue!

      My poetry has been autobiographical a couple of times lately, but mostly it isn't, completely imaginary, as you know. Imagination's been in dodgy places, that's what... I'm so sorry to have worried you! Wouldn't have done that for the world!

      Delete
  6. I held my breath too! So glad your dad is well. Such a powerful expression of love an loss. My heart breaks for you and all you've lost. Imagination flows when so much fear fills our daily lives. Sending hugs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hugs back! and thank you. Living on tenterhooks, as another close friend put it. Overwhelming sometimes...

      Delete
  7. Hi Nila - you put the anxiety many are facing now so powerfully - it's desperately worrying for those separated ... I constantly count my blessings - but feel for others. With thoughts - Hilary

    ReplyDelete