.
Only
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Across the clouds
like razor blades,
the thin path I planned
to wander, expanded, and
I moved into territories
of self-loathing. I could not
keep hold of the grail or of purity
of thought and deed.
I can only remain with the ghost
on my shoulder
and the demon polluting my love.
I can pace my inner room
and never find a solution.
I will always be chained
to the soil, imagining
the bright orb of heaven.
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Copyright © 2008 by Allison Grayhurst
amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst
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Translated into Chinese and published in “Poetry Hall, Issue 7” and “Rendition of International Poetry Quarterly, Vol 98”, May 2020
http://poetryh.com/Journals/Poetry%20Journal-007.htm
Click to access poetry-hall-issue-7.pdf
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Rendition of International Poetry Vol98
Click to access rendition-of-international-poetry-vol98.pdf
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First published in “Stanzaic Stylings “, March 2017
http://stanzaicstylings.blogspot.ca/2017/03/only-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 ‘The Many Lights of Eden’:
“’The Many Lights of Eden’ is a journey: a journey of the heart through youth, anguish, struggle, spiritual awakening, grief, death, love, loss, guilt, struggle, despair, hope, surrender, God, sensuality, imperfection, motherhood, aging, the vanquishing of the devil, indeed, many devils, the inevitable fall from perfection and the casting off of old wineskins for a new one. Perhaps speaking of this book as a chronicle of spiritual maturing would be more accurate, the realization that there is spirituality within imperfection and that handmade temples cannot hope to compete with the spiritual temples within each of us. ‘The Many Lights of Eden’ is a diamond. It is a beautiful collection of insights. Allison Grayhurst’s thoughts and writings are a deep well. Drink from it, for the water is clear and crisp. This collection is a MUST-READ,” Eric M. Vogt, author of Letters to Lara and Paths and Pools to Ponder.
“I have been slow at responding to reviews for Allison Grayhurst due to summer’s busy days, however she brings life to each poem, heart to the images and everyone should have a collection of Grayhurst Poetry,” Ann Johnson-Murphree, poet.
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.