“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23, ESV of the Christian Bible)
Death always rides on the back of the living,
unnoticed and unobtrusive,
but ever-present.
Sometimes we become aware of it
through a shiver down the spine
and sudden tightness in the chest
that catches our breath
and holds it.
But then we breathe in –
a deep breath of relief –
and forget;
those who don’t
become insane
or insufferable.
We forget until the moment
it’s time to turn our back to the world,
take our final bow
and let our death face it.
Huastec statue from the Tampico region (México), artist unknown;
displayed in Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Tag: poetry
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The Shadow of Death
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Work of Art
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
Leonardo da Vinci
You are a work of art, you are my voice
combined with yours, a self-creating song.
I will abandon you, but not by choice.
You’ll sing the song yourself before too long. -
SWALK
I don’t believe in fate
and yet my fate is sealed.
Before I knew myself
you sealed it with a kiss.
I fought my self and yours,
but open wounds re-healed
until the flames of pain
extinguished with a hiss.
Alas, secure fate
went quickly off the rail:
you sealed it with a kiss
and dropped it in the mail. -
Border
Colours are brighter on the edge and smells are sharper.
Borders are important.
There is no summer at the equator or winter at the North Pole –
a Winter Wonderland is impossible there, for there would be no wonder in it.
Love is equally impossible in hell and in paradise, for without choice there is only acquiescence.
I know of nothing more poignant than fall leaves in the snow,
they make you wonder and draw your breath in sudden joy.
Life is what happens on the border with death. -
Travel etiquette
Standing squashed on the train,
through persistent migraine
going down the drain
with the dregs,
look around and up,
squeeze your gaze in the gap
‘twixt the arms and the crap
in the bags.
Think of people inside
this elaborate hide
made to coddle and hide
their fears:
some are dressed to impress,
some are dressed to possess,
some are dressed to undress,
it appears.
As they hang off handrails,
in the hamster-wheel race,
do your best to embrace
their sorrow.
Don’t be sad, don’t be mad.
Smile and nod, look ahead.
They or you could be dead
by tomorrow. -
London Night
Drown in the London night.
In the dark you see the light,
river beckons, cold and bright.
Drown in the London night.