Stark Relief

 

 

        Blundering, in disguise –

a gift masked in disease,

tongues imploring forgiveness,

love tested at its roots, glorious

as mountains.

        Boredom and fear meeting in unison,

finding a strange fulfilment behind locked doors,

venturing to walk in the open air, take hikes,

sit by the lake-waters and dream, alone.

        A gift that doesn’t carry a typical joy,

but breaks down the superficial slaughter

of what is truly meaningful, simplifies the one thing,

the all thing, that connects and is worthy of attention.

        Love in illness, love at death, love in gratitude

for the lifeforce we have been given – its sacred mission,

not meant to be plundered on distraction and greed.

        God is the only safe ship left to climb aboard on,

the only ship afloat on this burning sea.

 

The gift has come, and yes like everyone,

I am afraid. In my mind,

I join the people singing,

raw in mutual fear and faith,

a collective voice, harmonized, joined

from balcony windows.

 

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Copyright © 2020 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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First published in “Synchronized Chaos” September 2020

http://synchchaos.com/synchronized-chaos-september-2020-mercy-and-fragility/

http://synchchaos.com/poetry-from-allison-grayhurst-11/

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below: