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When That Day

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The joy will come when these chains

are loosened, are finally 

crushed by a blow from an axe

on a concrete floor, flattened,

nothing but metal, to step over, sweep up

and carefully remove.

The joy of that day, when relieved from the weight,

from the sharp-edged gravel in our gloves

and from the ever-tightening twist in our loins.

The joy when we sign out, shake this water

from our lungs, stand without tipping,

when we can look at each other,

know we are on the other side now –

death, illness and poverty

have not separated us, have not set fire to our love,

but instead, have merged us, all things

natural and unnatural, merged

our broken hearts, so, though broken,

they could keep rhythm. So on this day when joy arrives

to relieve, we will walk uplifted

down this path of sweet salvation

holding hands, holding and never afraid

(that one or the other) will let go.

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Copyright © 2010 by Allison Grayhurst

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First published in “Indie Poet Indeed” October 2015

http://indiepoetsindeed.blogspot.ca/2015/10/when-that-day-poem-by-allison-grayhurst.html

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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.

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