The Blackberry Bush

We all stand there

Upon the wavering note

The fragile precipice of life

And death-

Each and everyone

Grasps dearly, desperately to

That final chord, whereupon struck

By hammers gall

Ignites the air in euphoric symphony

Until the diminishing diminuendo

And all song expires

 

(Fingertips lay upon the cold ivory).

 

But not you, the summon

Of the abyss played harsh on your ear

The cherubim choir,

Cacophonous,

Cantankerous

Rent the heavens in a streak of red

Sharp, pinching strokes of blue

Pressing on the lobes, intoned murmurs

In the temples, blurred vision in sunspot smoke

 

Nay, you heard the rustle

Of the blackberry bush

Cursed sweet delights

Though it cushioned the fall

Of the forsaken one

You saw such bounty it doth provide

And in reaching for sweet promises

Scorched your fingers on its blackened boughs

From fiery breath, a salvation denied.

 

Yet from blistered hands, issued forth

The fruits of your labour, fraught

With pain, with joy, with hope, despair

The seeds of your loins doth blossom in your care

 

“Know thyself.” We are born astride the grave

And are dangled over that muddied void

As stars are strung up on the cosmos

Man, he is as fleeting as a dream

Like mists that dance across the ocean gleam

 

Through the volley and rolling thunder stormed

And, while horse and hero fell,

Boldly you rode and well

 

Draw to the pale, the threshold

Of the horizon torn asunder

A break in the fabric,

The firmament on fire

Hell ascend unto heaven

And forge in flame

The alloy of Man

For with silence, proceeds voice

(Loud and clear)

An anguish annealed

By heated breath

A flash of defiance

An orange hue assuages the sky

Upon which it carries your unabated cry

 

I will not serve

I will not serve!  

Reviews

[Leigh]

There's a lot in this, including some great wording and a range of feelings. I like the ending that really adds to it.

[James McFadyen]

Thank you Leigh, you comment is truly appreciated.

[Leslie Philibert]

James is a talented poet, who obviously understands literature. This needs a longer and better review than I have time to write, but I will simply advise all here to have a look at this..

[James McFadyen]

Thank you Leslie, even the brevity of your review brings me satisfaction.

[The Black Warrior]

This is beautifully done James as expected, But there such an emotion to this piece. Exquisite!

[James McFadyen]

Thank you Suk, truly.

[The Black Warrior]

You're welcome. This piece is beautifull and your choice of words are excellent! :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This James is your most accomplished piece to date and it is the most sublime poetry. Thank you for writing it for my birthday and for being my son!

[James McFadyen]

Thank you for being the inspiration for my words.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

the sheer power in your wording leaves one exhausted and satisfied, well done, good read.

[James McFadyen]

I'm thrilled I could conjure such a cocktail of emotions, thank you.

[Lyn Anderson]

Such defiance, anger, and sadness in this piece. A lovely piece. Sorry about my confusion over your identity.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This is my son!

[Lyn Anderson]

Beg pardon, that makes sense.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

He IS a poet!

[Lyn Anderson]

Are you denying your own talent in exalting your son? No need to do so. There is room enough for the both.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

That is kind but if I had half his command of English and his artistry at his age I would have been happy. But thank you for your kindness.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

PS James wrote this for me for my birthday.