Oldest of Wars Between All Lonely Breasts

Oldest of Wars Between

All Lonely Breasts

Underneath, with a bolt of egotistic rage,

it comes, building shrines in my dark pockets.

And when my heart is weak,

it lures me into its dismal hovel

as if to comfort

with its corrupt tongue.

Pale as the snows, it is without fire,

sapping my juices impotent.

Jealous, it wraps

its leprous paws around

my core, hungering

for obedience.

Robe of awful night, it writhes,

clinging to my skin.

I am burnt by the terror of doubt and

indignant madness

that rents me out to the lust of despair.

I hear the moans of angels, but they are helpless

to intervene, tied to the law of reach-and-reach-back.

Panting now, I try to embrace this beast in play,

uproot its fangs, tame its sly strength. But there are

two atmospheres clashing within, raging to win

side by side – raging to smother my struggle

with one abiding victory.

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

First published in “SilverSpine Poetry Forum” October 2015

SilverSpine 2 SilverSpine 3

http://silverspinelit.blogspot.ca/2015/10/old-of-wars-between-all-lonely-breasts.html

You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

“Allison Grayhurst intertwines a potent spirituality throughout her work so that each poem is not simply a statement or observation, but a revelation that demands the reader’s personal involvement. Grayhurst’s poetic genius is profound and evident. Her voice is uniquely authentic, undeniable in its dignified vulnerability as it is in its significance,” Kyp Harness, singer/songwriter, author.

“Allison Grayhurst’s poems are like cathedrals witnessing and articulating in unflinching graphic detail the gritty angst and grief of life, while taking it to rare clarity, calm and comfort. Grayhurst’s work is haunting, majestic and cleansing, often leaving one breathless in the wake of its intelligence, hope, faith and love amidst the muck of life. Many of Allison Grayhurst’s poems are simply masterpieces. Grayhurst’s poetry is a lighthouse of intelligent honour… indeed, intelligence rips through her work like white water,” Taylor Jane Green, Registered Spiritual Psychotherapist and author.

Reviews of ‘Journey of the Awakening’:

“Journey of the Awakening is the first book of poetry that I have read of Allison Grayhurst. While reading it began to sound familiar, the comment to myself was “She is as good as Sylvia Plath”. When I finished the book I read comments from others who referred to her as “In the style of Sylvia Plath”; Ms Plath, one of my favorite poets had no match until Ms Grayhurst’s work. Congratulations to her on her achievements, I am already a ‘fan’, the love of her work will continue to grow,” Ann Johnson-Murphree, poet and author.

“Grayhurst is a great Canadian poet. All of Allison Grayhurst’s poetry is original, sometimes startling, and more often than not, powerful. Anyone who loves modern poetry that does not follow the common path will find Grayhurst complex, insightful, and as good a poet as anyone writing in the world today. This, and other Grayhurst poetry volumes are highly, highly recommended,” Tom Davis, poet, novelist and educator.