April 13, 2010

The Acid Kiss Of The Jelly Fish



Life weary children roam the blue hills
On paths half hidden through the wild woods,
Across deep creeks, over sharp fences
Out running the demons at their heels.
The demons dance in the growing night.

Strengthened by hardship, hardened by pain
As night drops the deep valley darkens,
Mother’s voice carries down the dark holler
The porch light calls the blind moths home.
To home, home, the pain in the night.

Wading now in sleep's black pool
Today fading into yesterday,
Cadaverous King Nightmare awakens
Patient, waiting for dreams not yet dreamt.
Dreams of hope, hope in the night.

Without warning Her pain is loosed
Warm blankets yield, baring white flesh,
The wide black belt brings bloody red welts
Like the acid kiss of the jellyfish.
The merciless belt biting in the night.

We are the anvil for Her hammering rage
The legacy of all the wrong done to Her,
Beatings beyond measure on innocent flesh
Her father wielding a wire coat hanger.
Her father beating her in the night.

Don’t inflict wounds they only fester,
Rotting into scars that won’t ever heal.
Don’t leave your children
Don’t leave your children
Don’t leave your children
Trapped in the cold night.

4 comments:

Isabella said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Ian Climacus said...

Isabella: as a reader of the blog let me say I was touched and moved by your post. I'll comment more on your blog.

And thank you as always William; I agree with Isabella that "a mystical way [is] the only way the unspeakable can be spoken"; perhaps why I love St Ephraim and other Church poets so much.

The Bosom Serpent said...

Isabella,

I deleted your message after realizing you most likely intended it to be private. Could you email me and send your email address?

Thank you for your very kind words. It is always rewarding and humbling to realize how strongly something we write can affect others. Your words are also encouragement to keep going, to stay the course. And you are in my prayers.

Ian,

Likewise. You have been a constant source of encouragement from early on in my blogging career. I appreciate your honesty concerning the struggles you face. I know from experience that baring your soul that much is frightening but also very cathartic.

The Bosom Serpent said...

Isabella,
I found you email address. I will reply tomorrow. Too late tonight.