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Of Things Unseen

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I cannot speak the simple lie

or whitewash the canyon’s depth.

I cannot flow through like

a wave, tender, lucid, despite

the storm.

Suddenly, the butterflies are huge

like intuition, like a birthday cake glowing.

A mutual silence between the stone

& the sand’s finest grain.

The wind is coming from the meadow.

People are talking of things to come

that will enthrall, and maybe

injure. I have loved you with

my eyes closed & ears pressed

to the aging dream. I have loved you

lying alone with a stallion’s

fury and a mare’s soft flight.

I have borne my suffering

as a heart bears what it can,

living only

to praise.

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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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Published in “Chicago Record Magazine” June 2017

http://magazine-record.blogspot.ca/2017/06/how-sky-came-when-i-was-grainof-sand-i.html

http://magazine-record.blogspot.ca/2017/06/

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

 

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“Somewhere Falling has a richness of imagery and an intensity of emotion rare in contemporary poetry. Drawn in sharp outlines of light and darkness, and rich shades of colour, with a deep sense of loss and longing and the possibility of salvation, this is an unusual book by a gifted young poet. Grayhurst’s voice is one to which we should continue to pay attention.” — Maggie Helwig, author of Apocalypse Jazz and Eating Glass.

“Responsibility and passion don’t often go together, especially in the work of a young poet. Allison Grayhurst combines them in audacious ways. Somewhere Falling is a grave, yet sensuous book.” – Mark Abley, author of Glasburyon and Blue Sand, Blue Moon.

“Biting into the clouds and bones of desire and devotion, love and grief, Allison Grayhurst basks the reader, with breathtaking eloquence, in an elixir of words. Like lace, the elegance is revealed by what isn’t said. This is stunning poetry.” – Angela Hryniuk, author of no visual scars.

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