Chapel

Chapel

I hold the air.

I am without control. In this chapel I walk

with my father and the others I loved who have left

for a new journey. I walk with the parables of their souls,

imprinted on my throat, in my belly,

everywhere where there is eternity.

I tell my father of my shell that has cracked in two,

of the burning of the elements and how I miss

his brown eyes, his protective hands and lop-sided

smile. I tell him, thank you

for the poem you gave me when you left, for the dreams

and all the anguish, challenges and reconciliations

we shared. I tell him, thank you for loving me so deeply

as to change yourself,

as to let me be a catalyst for your peace,

for your soul’s reward. I tell him –

I will never get over the pain

of losing you, the joy of having you,

how much you loved me,

showed me the generosity of God.

In this chapel, I walk with him,

I hold his hand. I am still his child. I am still

only one.

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First published in “Mount Parable Poetry Forum” October 2015

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http://mountparable.blogspot.ca/2015/10/chapel-poem-by-allison-grayhurst.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 ‘Pushing Through the Jelly Fire’:

“This, (Pushing Through the Jelly Fire) is my second favorite book of poetry by Allison Grayhurst. I have it in paperback. I read a lot of poetry across a lot of blogs but Grayhurst’s work stands above the crowd and is of tremendous quality. I highly recommend this and The River is Blind. Her quality of writing is of a high standard and never ceases to lift my spirits as I turn pages in paperback or kindle,” Bruce Ruston, poet, photographer, founding editor of The Poetry Jar.

“Another Grayhurst masterpiece, Allison’s work has inspired me to continue creating and reading poetry,” Ann Johnson-Murphree, poet.