Echoes

Art by James Christopher Hill entitled "River Moon"

 

 

Echoes

 

The owl's echoes guide me

To the midnight river's edge

Where the mysteries of reason

Swirl with the water's current

 

I fall to my knees to drink

Of life's unending, sour poison

Tasting the absurdity of man

And all their faulty ventures

 

When a cardinal caste in silver

Alights upon a stone thrust

From the river's shore into the

Trickle of waters changing

 

My sip from nature's chalice

Has caused my mind to twist

Visions shift the Cardinal from

Red to withered bones

 

The brittle skeleton crumbles

Swept away in the tide of Death

And I see two eyes peering

Through wooded grove beyond

 

Wisdom's intentions are revealed

When a snarling Beast leaps forth

Clawing the sand near Fate's swell

As the misting air grows chill

 

His breath lingers in the space between

Like a final kiss of morning dew

Daring challenge a creature of destruction

Whose exhaled breaths are black as soot

 

Behind me coos the owl's trumpet and

My soul cracks with a cry to battle

Forcing Destiny to step aside as

Man - standing tall upon weak feet -

 

With no weapons of substantial nature

Than the will to defeat Evil's glare

Is First to brave the silent currents

Of the frigid river Life

 

 

 

 

 

©2014 Rachel Karp

 

 

Reviews

[Tai Ryens]

Truly a cryptic piece detailing the tale of a person following the temptations of the owl hooting and indulging in the vices of the human spirit and seeing the face of true terror as adversity reveals itself to the speaker, seeking to destroy. Even more frightening is the fact that the speaker is not equipped to handle that kind of adversity, and is only armed with sheer will and passion.
Will that be enough? Who knows. Well done.

[Heromen Selena]

This is such a cool poem!! The creepiness of it definitely interested me from the start. I love how you related the river to life and all the other metaphors in this poem. Its a really awesome way to show the reader another point of view and tell a story. Great job! I couldn't find any spelling or grammar mistakes either :) Very well done. I sincerely enjoyed your poem.

[Meraki]

Eerie and vivid, the imagery was great. I especially like how the 2nd stanza and the last stanza tie in together. How absurd we must be to take on such a foe, absurd or courageous I'm still unsure of which. I love these last two..

Behind me coos the owl's trumpet and
My soul cracks with a cry to battle
Forcing Destiny to step aside as
Man - standing tall upon weak feet -

With no weapons of substantial nature
Than the will to defeat Evil's glare
Is First to brave the silent currents
Of the frigid river Life

[R. L. Hill]

Thank you! I am so glad that you found it vivid. I love that word! Haha.

[Meraki]

I like that word too. I always think of colors when I hear it though.

[R. L. Hill]

Same here! But it can be applied to so many emotions as well.

[Chris Micha]

This reminded me of Shakespeare. So beautifully written and it flowed so brilliantly! :)

[R. L. Hill]

Wow thank you! That's a big name to compare to. I'm honored

[Ruth]

Absolutely superb! Lovely flow and what a courageous tale...envisioned as read and really enjoyed x

[R. L. Hill]

Thank you!

[Latifa]

I love it, so rich in imagery and so vivid, the reader just falls under the spell of words and shifts to the scenes drawn in this wonderful piece of art , very nice.

[R. L. Hill]

Aww thank you! "Piece of art" That means so much ^_^

[Trace]

This is so different than most of what I read here.
Very deep and thought provoking.
Excellent use of imagination and words used.

Very unique and interesting poem

Much enjoyed.
Trace

[R. L. Hill]

I am so glad that I was able to write something that stood out to you and was able to bring you a refreshing view on poetry. That means a lot to me. Thank you!

[MsJewel]

Behind me coos the owl's trumpet and
My soul cracks with a cry to battle
Forcing Destiny to step aside as
Man - standing tall upon weak feet -
My favorite verse in this dark little treat. The images you create are haunting.
Exceptional writing my friend
:) Julie

[R. L. Hill]

Thank you, dear! "Haunting" - what a brilliant word ^_^

[Sami Khalil]

You do brave the silent currents and battle the forcing destinies. We need to stand tall even upon weak feet. A splendid read and write...:).............................

[R. L. Hill]

Thank you :D

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome...:)........