Survivors

Survivors

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Before the Lotos Dream


by Steve King

All rights reserved



I thought that I would never be with you.
For you had always been a part of clamor—
joining tumult with a most profound
sense of peace; and you there at the center,
fending supplications with your ease,
adroit, alight, abominable tease.

I had never voice, nor had a choice,
except to watch it all, your pale hand leading
other souls in charmed communion,
one, then another, each in sacred turn,
up to a point of astonished silence,
their lips tasting the lotos of your wrist.

I wonder how it was our gazes met.
You always seemed to cast your eyes above
my station.  Where were you seeing then?
It was a darkened age, no gilding light
to mark the forming puzzle of my page.
I would not play the fool, nor strut the sage.

I worried that my presence had no gauge.
But you were well adept at listening.
Still, the furor rose around your aura:
you among what then were merely others.
Other than you and I.

I saw you step quickly out of their circle
and then were gone;  but you had shown them well.
They would embrace the spirit of your perfume,
the palpable mirage you trailed behind,
and love your idea as soon.

And then you stood
within the shadow that surrounded me.
Unbidden, you had come the unlikeliest way,
you unknown and I as yet unknowing.
Who knew why, or wanted then the question?
Now near my heart there was a sounding board,
your breast a solemn tabor for my cries:
my words now songs that will or will not soar,
but won't die borning, the old silent way.

I must hold quickly:  Somewhere in dying light,
amid the clamor that enchains them still,
I watch your clan of once-deserving souls
that sings no other dream, nor ever will.

11 comments:

  1. When silence is no choice
    One givne a stiffled voice
    Can be such a pain
    Thankfully not for you with your verse thought train

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  2. The mysteries of affinity can never be plumbed though we write a million poems about it--this one really strikes to the heart of the transforming potential of that bridge of air that leaps out to connect two people for who knows what reason...I could go on quite a while about what I like about this piece, it's sonorous and measured cadence, the symbology of the lotos, its balance of images--the familiar and alien, its weave of the complexity of relation, but the strongest appeal for me is the language, which is almost hypnotic in expressing its points. An instant favorite of yours for me.

    PS Thanks so much for your concern at my place Steve. Much appreciated.

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  3. And then you stood
    within the shadow that surrounded me.
    Unbidden, you had come the unlikeliest way,
    you unknown and I as yet unknowing.

    smiles...love your story telling man...and i agree in that we will never understand how it all comes together...only that it is no accident....really well told

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  4. Lovely and romantic... I really like the 3rd stanza.

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  5. a great flow to this...and just love the dreamy mood throughout..an almost surreal feeling and we will always wonder that it happens and how it happens..magical woven ways..and you captured them well..

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  6. I love the tender write Steve. You capture the mystic and ambiguity of this feeling...I specially like the last verse :

    I must hold quickly: Somewhere in dying light,
    amid the clamor that enchains them still,
    I watch your clan of once-deserving souls
    that sings no other dream, nor ever will.

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  7. i felt a cool sense of the romantic in this one steve -
    it kinda swept me thru like a heavt hit of H (this is a good thing:) - your blog config is presenting it perfectly - all the air and space of it all - really shaped me to drift a ways - cheers steve

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  8. Who knows why and how love happens..."unbidden, you had come the unlikliest way" ...how that resonates with me. Beautifully done, Steve :))

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  9. Skillfully written with internal and end-line rhyme that reads so smoothly it doesn't seem forced. The 2nd stanza is my favorite.

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  10. Beautiful and tender write, Steve.

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