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Desire

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does not come

like tolerance, learned,

worked for. Withstanding

cruelty, dry lips,

wild pain, it grows larger

than love and God and grows

until all gestures reveal it.

 

Secretly in the shade of devotion,

it rages. Crouching behind churches and

stairwells, it tongues its drug sweeter

than touch. Burns the stomach, starves

the heart of faithful riches.

 

When it comes it has no error

nor the unanchored presence

of doubt.

 

When it comes, it comes riding,

circling like nightfall

the soul’s great yolk.

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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst

 

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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Published in “Keep Poems Alive” January 2016

Keep Poems Alive International

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First published in “Drift, Issue #82”

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

https://allisongrayhurst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/desire.m4a?_=1

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“Somewhere Falling has a richness of imagery and an intensity of emotion rare in contemporary poetry. Drawn in sharp outlines of light and darkness, and rich shades of colour, with a deep sense of loss and longing and the possibility of salvation, this is an unusual book by a gifted young poet. Grayhurst’s voice is one to which we should continue to pay attention.” — Maggie Helwig, author of Apocalypse Jazz and Eating Glass.

“Responsibility and passion don’t often go together, especially in the work of a young poet. Allison Grayhurst combines them in audacious ways. Somewhere Falling is a grave, yet sensuous book.” – Mark Abley, author of Glasburyon and Blue Sand, Blue Moon.

“Biting into the clouds and bones of desire and devotion, love and grief, Allison Grayhurst basks the reader, with breathtaking eloquence, in an elixir of words. Like lace, the elegance is revealed by what isn’t said. This is stunning poetry.” – Angela Hryniuk, author of no visual scars.

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