I can not forget cries of innocence
as you carried me
to the edge of the moon,
the way I closed my fists
as tears met with soft susurration
of leaves in summer.
There are centuries that are lonely
where you inscribed pain
upon delicate skin.
Can you hear the rush of blood
as roses turn away
when you deeper plunge
soul into darkness, where even
the dead don’t make a sound.
Conscience it seems is a contract
between the flesh and mind,
perhaps if I whisper your name
it will haunt and chastise.
And I shall return to days unsullied
mourn with the gentle
shower of rain.
If only I could scatter my soul
upon grasslands of listening earth
whisper prayers to utopian sun,
until I forget the cries of innocence
that question me afar
from the lies you have built.
Photo credits: Henry Asencio, 1972
Posted for Kerry’s Challenge @ Real Toads
& Posted on Poetry Pantry @ Poets United
I want to start quoting lines like a mad woman here. Because there are so many delicious lines… lines that will stay with me. But, I shall contain some of my enthusiasm, and just quote the first line of the second stanza, “There are centuries that are lonely”. I love it. Especially as a response for this prompt. Because it reads like the beginning of a dystopian novel. There is a sort of longing oozing out of those words, which can’t be confused with anything other than loss (and, perhaps, recovery to be had).
Oh gosh! ❤️ Thank you so much, Magaly 😀 so glad you liked it! ❤️
“Liked it”? I loved it. And the second reading tastes just as yummy. 🙂
Yayy! 😀 thanks for stopping by, Magaly ❤️
There are centuries that are lonely…these lines speak to me deeply of loss, remind me of the depth of pain while watching my mother die. It was only 6 months but it like centuries. An excellent write Sanaa. Rich and emotive.
Thank you so much, Toni 🙂 so good to see you ❤️
The diction and metaphorical outreach in this verse is a thing of wonder – this is so personal and therefore emotional. I love how delicately you have etched these words together for such a feeling. This is plain beautiful: “There are centuries that are lonely/where you inscribed pain/upon delicate skin.”
Thank you so much, Anmol 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
The opening stanza, as one long sentence, sets the tone of this other-worldly love poem. I was especially touched by this description:
There are centuries that are lonely
where you inscribed pain
upon delicate skin.
Human experience is digested and understood in a myriad of ways and you have given a new perspective on emotional pain and longing which could span centuries.
Oh gosh! ❤️ Thank you so much, Kerry 😀 so glad you liked it! ❤️
(and thank you for the lovely prompt)
I love “There are centuries that are lonely”, and that mourning with the gentle sound of rain. Beautiful.
Thank you so much, Sherry 😀 so good to see you ❤️
To seek comfort “scatter my soul
upon grasslands of listening earth”…
= beautifully expressed.
Thank you so much, Margaret 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
Habitual liars have no conscience nor those who lie in the name of love when lust is their only objective.
And the hurt the betrayal does indeed last for centuries in our minds, broken as we are.
A beautiful haunting dark write Sanaa.
Anna :o]
Thank you so much, Anna 😀 so good to see you ❤️
Such a wonderful tale of darkness and lies. I can feel the raw claws of emotion tearing your skin.
Thank you so much, Bjorn 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
You gush gorgeously – picking a favourite
“Can you hear the rush of blood
as roses turn away”
Thank you so much, Laura 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
wonderfully put
Thank you so much, Jae 🙂 so good to see you ❤️
What an incredible emotion you aroused in your delicious yet sad words Sanaa. I loved the poem but it hurt in the way that those feelings she expressed were so real.
Thank you so much, Robin 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
I feel the painful reminiscing in this poem. Powerful and emotional writing.
Thank you so much, Mary 🙂 so good to see you ❤️
Conscience it seems is a contract
between the flesh and mind,… beautifully written Sanaa…
Thank you so much, Rajani 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
“Conscience it seems is a contract
between the flesh and mind,”
I find these words particularly ponder-able. A deeply evocative poem Sanaa
Happy you dropped by my Sunday Standard today
Much💞love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so good to see you ❤️
Much🌺love
Oh my goodness, Sanaa, this is stunning! So much passion and darkness in:
‘…you carried me
to the edge of the moon’;
‘…roses turn away
when you deeper plunge
soul into darkness, where even
the dead don’t make a sound’
and
‘until I forget the cries of innocence
that question me afar
from the lies you have built’.
Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
I love conscience being a contract between body and mind. How wise!
Thank you so much, Sherry 😀 so good to see you ❤️
I have traveled the roads of loneliness, searching for answers and calling for a love that never hears..too much time I have wasted on a dream… I guess you stirred something in me as now I am weeping.
😬😬
A second visit Sanaa and I still love!
Anna :o]
Thank you so much, Anna 😀 so good to see you ❤️
“There are centuries that are lonely where you inscribed pain upon delicate skin…” This is so poignant, Sanaa!
Thank you so much, Daniella 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
Your imagery is stunning –just a gorgeous write!
Thank you so much, Audrey 😀 so good to see you ❤️
Another amazing write, Sanaa! Beautiful.
Thank you so much, Vivian 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
Ahyaya! A Strong and tough piece.
ZQ
Thank you so much, ZQ 😀 so good to see you ❤️
Wonderful layered lines in this mesmeric piece. Awesome writing!
Thank you so much, Wendy 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
This is shivery perfect.
Thank you so much, Chrissa 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
So much ripping and gripping. Skin. We are so vulnerable.
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Colleen ❤️
This is just lovely, Sanaa. Haunting and beautiful. Well done!
Thank you so much, Sarah 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
until I forget the cries of innocence
that question me afar
from the lies you have built.
The male species are expected to act in ways coupled with traps along the way to get what they desire. You’ve said it right Sanaa!
Hank
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Hank ❤️
Need we carry a heavy load, or allow someone to live rent free in our minds? “And I shall return to days unsullied mourn with the gentle shower of rain.” Love this, shower of gentle rain. Skip away, whistle a tune, forget the lier, not worth the sorrow.
Thank you so much, Annell 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️
beautiful poem! masterful use of language. there are so many lines that are great quotes. 🙂
Thank you so much, Cheong 😀 so good to see you ❤️
From the opening stanza through to those last lines, this is outstanding. You feel the raw emotion of it, like tearing open a wound.
Thank you so much, Sara 🙂 so glad you liked it ❤️
Gorgeous as always, with its luscious words and brilliant imagery.
Thank you so much, Rosemary 😀 so glad you liked it ❤️