© Steve King
All rights reserved
I welcomed you in other times
when words ever sufficed
to cover all small things.
Nowadays, words gather
in such crazy ways—
like birds that marry to a flock,
clinging to the latest wind,
lifting quick away.
Like stars that paint an emptiness
for a time—
bright, distractive,
then so sure in their decline,
heavens emptied sudden then.
An old stillness rising,
again and again.
We all have those times of vacuum, we can't all however write such inspiring words when the world turns the other cheek x
ReplyDeleteI like the images of words gathering crazy like birds and stars painting an emptiness ~ I can relate to those other times when we welcome the simple and uncomplicated ~
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a lot of feelings, a lot of poets (very Stevens-like at times, which is a high compliment from me, as well as some Yeats in the meter) but it has its own distinct feeling and voice as well. This is a fine poem, Steve, and I won't autopsy it except to say 'like birds that marry to a flock' is just exceptional, as well as the sonorous but somehow muted close.
ReplyDeleteHeavens empty, old stillness rising paints such a divide and so much space between words.
ReplyDeleteha, i like...in particular words gathering like the birds...but i think i relate all the more to the words being stars to fill the blank spaces....
ReplyDeleteWe need that kind stillness in order to crteeate meaningful words..not the stillness that falls with quick, careless, empty words...Our words, methinks, are sometimes a reflection of the times...as if we must crowd them in before the next tsunami, supernova, atomic event, or some other frightful quickening occasion. Like this write alot:))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. You deal so well with great and subtle mysteries. The metaphors are terrific. k.
ReplyDeletegreat write steve.
ReplyDelete"like birds that marry to a flock,
clinging to the latest wind,
lifting quick away."
reading those lines, i couldn't help but think of how people are like a collection of words, the language of their flock and all the flocks they've ever flown with, with identities and signatures rich with anthropological and personal dialect. just my take, really loved those line. a pleasure reading you again
Peaceful. I like this. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, especially love .. Nowadays, words gather
ReplyDeletein such crazy ways—
like birds that marry to a flock....gorgeous!
This has such a timeless, classic feel... Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteStars painting emptiness... that image will stick with me. Cool write.
ReplyDeleteThe stars and the birds are images I won't forget quickly.
ReplyDeleteWords gather around like birds
ReplyDeleteThat even explains people who act like turds haha great write.
For me, words do gather like birds, chittering and jostling for the better place in line. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI still love it :) beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWords are like that... love the third stanza, Steve.
ReplyDeletehey i rather like your next verse steve...congrats on the haggis...ha...i enjoyed my try of it, though i know you are talking of something else...its very musical and of a more romantic voice...it def sings...i would have commented on that one but it would not let me....
ReplyDelete