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After Sight

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The vision lifted,

then darkness set in.

 

A different darkness,

one not yet

encountered, not yet

imagined.

 

Grey silhouettes brushing the dawn’s early

sky. Joy consumed & sorrow

lived to its limit. The image of flowers,

so slow in their pursuit

of the sun. A tremendous night air

as I walked past the deserted streets

into a life that would demand what I

had never given.

 

This too was death, & dance & death

entwined like autumn in its blood-splattered

leaves. I praised & I was free & afraid

of what would follow this gift of rope

& tender sunshine.

 

Enemies remained within,

spiders & also the murderous moon.

 

But sinking

& sinking again into the quicksand

threshold, my breast gave way to tears,

my lips, to the astonished tremble.

 

I walked back into my den that coveted

no light, holding fast to

love

like a thousand children, a thousand soldiers

burned

 

by heaven’s weight.

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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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First published in “First Offense”  1996

 

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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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