Forest Prayer For Consolation
Forest Prayer For Consolation
original devotional poetry
Forest Prayer
For Consolation
Be our salve
for threads
hanging raggèd
commensal in groves;
a haloed frenzy,
kudzu sentinel
of vigor
o'er the drowsy glades
and grassy alcoves.
An arms-reach
of agèd balm
to scan the plains,
to find the pits.
Fill them,
O elusive fount:
brimming interchange
skytwining
blessèd fruitfall.
Drop
and do not cease
to drop
until the prick of blades
slays not.
Rise
when risen flows
the silvered rose,
ascending gown
of silk consoles
the broken
droll
of trodden state.
Restore us,
luscious fount
of heav'nly thrushes
springing life
from life's dismay.
Through dismal dance
we flitting wend;
sunful medicine,
pale crucifix
of force
on forceless medium compelled.
Bring vines
to bandage love-shorn garb;
split the aching corset,
free of thorns
the starry breast.
Love-laden,
take our yoke,
in the fullness of hope's spell
make us light,
that we might rise into the aerie
through the trees.
Poetry written
By @d-pend
7/3/18
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Photography credits:
.1 — "It's About Time" by Sneekie-Fochs
2 — "Kudzu Rising" by McAllisterBryant
3 — "Kudzu Barn 1" by Lightsabr2
Hi, @d-pend. This poem made me think hard on several things. First of all
the language. The surprising juxtaposition of elements and images.
Even though the liturgical tone and style, along with syntactical and morphological elements take us back to Shakespearean English (raggèd, agèd, blessèd), there is a modern vitality and spirit, a reversal, or reaction to Elizabethan or even Victorian restrains.
The contrasting
or the
the images, though, provide a contrasting feeling when you think about liberating by embracing/covering or wrapping with this sort of luscious fount or arboreal power. The images are almost suffocating in their intense greenery, even if they lead to elevated freedom :) .
The second aspect that this poem made me consider was the social conventions regarding love, relationships, or rituals, like marriages/weddings. The oppressive garbs, detached from love and true affection or imposed over dreams or aspirations, tolerated, but not accepted. With that same stoicism girls tolerate high hills just because allegedly they look good on them, even if they are bleeding or swelling because of the "dismal dance". All under blessing of "the pale crucifix of force." A yugo (yoke) that sounds almost like a joke for some.
Thus, the text seems to invoke nature to save us from all this unnatural conventions. Quite a ride.
Plus, you made me remember a beautiful bird whose name i had not pronounced since i was a kid: los torditos (thrushes)
This consolation poem is really beautiful. That call to merge from the heart with what is exalted, regardless of its origin, only in the consciousness of a Higher Power that sees and protects us. We speak of different divine forms, according to human belief, but the consolation is the faith in love, in the natural acceptance of nature as a whole capable of regenerating and elevating us.
Excellent work with the words, @ d-pend.
These are my favorite lines. I like the crucifixion imagery–not sure if it is purposeful–the thorns (or lack thereof), pale crucifix, and ...shorn garb whisper at a possible connection. I love the sing song nature of the first three lines of this stanza and how they propel it into the meat of this section. You also made me learn a new word. Kudzu. After learning this word the stanza took on even more life. 😎
Thank you for this prayer and meditation @d-pend.
I seem to have missed your post. Sorry for the late reply.
Maybe because of the right alignment I was swept away like a leaf.
I see a story of healing and protection from the heat. I see fruits that are painful but bring life. I see a robe of silk roses covering all my sins. The via de la rosa taken too lightly. I see myself cry as the lamb looks down from above. But are you making a play on words using yolk and not yoke?
I pray for you and your family.
May you be filled with peace and life and joy and healing.
I pray for everyone using and abusing this block chain to be healed.
Even if that means we have to take some time out.
I enjoyed the lifecycle concepts in this piece and the figurative imagery you used throught this piece. It made for a transformative read. Nice write.
Aren't we life affirming of late :) anyhoo Feed me pie ...
I think that somehow the poem connects you with nature which I find incredible, is a wonderful job and the images I love thanks for sharing with us :)
Beautiful poem, thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures, full of poetry and meaning. Thank you for sharing your time with us and taking us out for a walk in these beautiful forests.
Incredible poem, the words fit so perfect, nature, the forest and our trees are definitely inspiration.