This Love We Hold

This Love We Hold

This was the endurance sought,

moving without sorrow away from

spear and shield, loving again

chained to the most-impossible-dream

and yet surviving unveiled,

with each envy rectified, removed.

Happy are the flowers that pierce

with swift vibrancy the

down-trodden eye. Happy are the flowers

that briefly shine then suddenly collapse

without sacrifice or a moan.

Never did I hope to own a stone

so cold, spread across my flesh

like a darkened shell. Never did I know

a void so dull and so insatiable.

Never ascending like I ascend now in a gathering

of clouds that eclipse the birds and mirror

on the lake so grey.

I went walking and knelt before the trees.

Wise days of youth and fresh love that

made us bare of questions, made us sick

from such intensity. I held your presence

in my breath and breathed my spirit

free. Freed from phantoms awakened,

freed from the pendulum tide.

Free to outspeak the wind

and ride beyond the parasite of time,

beside you and sustaining

forevermore.

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

First published in “Peacock Journal” October 2016

Allison Grayhurst – Four Poems

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.