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Dostoevsky

 

Demon of everglade beauty

of the dark space around the

                    moon.

Sensitive to the point of sickness.

Deep-set eyes like the eyes

of some brooding god,

                   hammering

the earth to pieces.

Breath of an invalid, gambler

& saint, weighed down by

                   sentiment.

Breath of grey and yellow 

skies above you, blood red

buried beneath bone and

                   skin.

Hand of a writer, 

naked without a pen,

like a new-born bird

                   flung

from its nest: flesh on fire.

Apocalypse mind, opener

of the seventh seal. Mentor of all

                   believers.

Christ-like visions swarm your mind.

Ravaged by depression,

by high ideals that

                  rip

out your ribs, one by one

into the thick day.

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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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First published in “The Affiliate”, 1997

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

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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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