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Humpback

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I give this flower,

these historic eyes

to the Atlantic whale, who will perform

for me a symphony of genius. Hungry, we will

rob one another of mistrust,

caress each other’s hairless skin,

holding things that gravity cannot forsake.

Once safe in the ocean’s dune,

we will open our eyes, our mouths,

swallowing moonlight like pirates

from a ship.

Together through

the salted plasma we will swim and hope

for the violence born by medieval fear,

promoted by division

and encouraged by judgement

to be terminated by an acknowledgment

of identical love

(which is not accident).

Tenderly we will axe the human prejudice;

and the child and calf, rubbing wing and arm

will know the blessing of a marvelous unity,

which has been concealed to the point

of near extinction.

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Copyright © 1991 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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First published in “Social Justice Poetry, May 2017

https://www.socialjusticepoetry.com/6134/humpback-a-social-justice-poem-by-allison-grayhurst

https://www.socialjusticepoetry.com/poet-bios/allison-grayhurst

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:

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“Grayhurst’s rapturous outpouring of imagery makes her poems easily enjoyable … Like a sear the poet seeks to fathom sensual and spiritual experience through the images of a dream.” Canadian Literature

 “Allison Grayhurst’s Common Dream is a massive book by a talented and enthusiastic young writer, with a feel for descriptive, meaningful verse. Philosophical and very deep,” Paul Rance, editor of Eastern Rainbow, U.K.,  spring 1993.

“Her poems read like the journal entries of a mystic – perhaps that what they are. They are abstract and vivid, like a dreamy manifestation of soul. This is the best way, in prose, one can describe the music which is … the poetry of Allison Grayhurst,” Blaise Wigglesworth Oh! Magazine

“Rich images and complex, shifting metaphors drive Allison Grayhurst’s poems. She focuses on sexual love and interior landscapes, widening to include the heart, eternity and all.”  Next Exit

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