I
secret voices whispered
into baby ears
crooned cradle songs that
covered the sounds of arguing
took me to places inside
but not inside
thick teutonic forests
sod houses on a green grass sea
striped clowns of black and white
western facing hogans
pulsed by thundering herds
frigid silent limestone convents
leaning in to samoan laughter
the black wolf
voices led me away
saved me from the world
introduced me to my ancient self
II
my father's voice
well-worn though seldom used
harshed by a thousand marlboro reds
silent as the grave
where he now lies
never gentle
never soothing
in its sobriety
always razor sharp and
barbed to prevent closeness
its exact rhythm and timbre
i no longer remember
but i hear him still
in the rattling clink of ice cubes
in an empty highball glass
III
undisturbed layers of voiceless dust
settled thick enough to write in
if only i dared
must not disturb the status quo
i will remain silent
i must not tell
let it be
let the sleeping dog lie
but that need
pokes pokes pokes
jabbing memories
like a monkey wielding a stick
screaming
but only inside
when they tumble free
entombed memories
choked on childhood’s ashes
barbaric or soft
it sounds
ripped beyond
the veil of voicelesness
a harsh bleat from an impala
caught fast in the jaws of a lion
I still think this is amazing.....
ReplyDeleteMWC
Powerful and raw. I love this and understand what you're expressing. I am dealing with similar shadows.
ReplyDelete