Of Clocks and Clouds

For any who have ever felt shackled in their circumstances...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The door to the old Inn screeches open, shedding veiled light on the figure approaching.

“Your eyes glimpse only yesterday, my friend. Where is today in your vision?” he says.

      “Yesterday is all I have of value... How I want to exit here. Life is like the seas’ sand; beaten and lifeless.” He turns from me and lifts his hand toward the tide, framed in dusty glass.

“To your simple existence, do not boast;

merely to breathe or move or think is not to live.

The shore of the sea is but a ghost,

compared to the depth its wholeness gives.

You exist in the miry foam;

make the ocean depths your home.”

Smoked and shady gray light reflects from the counter. Raven guests drift past slowly in silence as the sea cries.

“You don’t understand,” I say. “You don’t understand these chains:

I long to drift through turquoise skies;

race the wind in rampant flight.

Ruddy chains have framed my eyes,

they seize my heart and stain the light.”

He turns to walk toward the door then speaks. “How many waves will beat this shore until you breathe your last? These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”

At this, he passes through the Inn’s door into shimmering amber. Pillars of celestial light support the roof of clouds and mist, scattering shadowed shapes across the horizon.

The golden ball of fire brings warmth again.

How I wish the sallow heat could

take this lonely man.

The breeze, a song, plays through the

rustling sand grass and hollow.

A tune played over memories’ dust sweetens the air.

The days have been wind; the weeks as moving air. Oh, that the clocks ever changing face might rest for only a moment, or cease for all time.

Oh, is not eternity an everlasting moment?

If only I could touch silent stillness, but the waves are endless. Each wave brings the clock a new face. How it ages so across the tortured tide. Fire cascades from heaven as the sun begins its morning reign, swallowing streaked shadows like a ravenous snake.

      I walk to the waves, watching them wash clean the face of the shore, and I feel an echo flood over me. “Make the ocean depths your home…”

Reviews

[emmajoy]

That ending is almost too much, I'm gasping, wondering what the next step means. Your words have an amazing mix of prose and poetry, a marriage of mystery and myth .. and yet again, you prove your gentling power in drawing readers into a place: 'These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”

You have a way of turning seemingly straightforward tho fine phrases into an immense secret ..

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

An almost dreamy, magical trip written in prose poetry with vivid images conveyed by your splendid words. The rise and soaring from depths of soul birth from the struggle to be free from "chains" is a common human dilemma. "Clocks ever changing faces" continue and so do the waves - to mark the passing of time and age. "The chains will bind unendingly unless you kill your past" is a quote well pondering upon.

[Derek Cummings]

I was really drawn into your poem all the way, and loved how it allowed me to freely perceive it, especially the ending. I thought it flowed very well. Good job Craig!

[S.E. Miller]

Absolutely stunning work. This is more prose than poetry. And I love it. It's called Poetry Prose. VERY good Craig. This is something I wish I'd written! :) Susan

[Trixolomanea]

There is not much I can say except "wonderful", it is a beautiful, emotional piece I can really relate to. This part took my breath away: "He turns to walk toward the door then speaks. “How many waves will beat this shore until you breathe your last? These chains will bind unendingly, unless you kill your past.” Turning his eyes toward mine he says, “Let it go…you must let it go.”" Simply amazing!

Thank you so much for sharing, wonderful work!

[Brittany]

Wow...what an incredible piece of writing. I love the seamless mix of poetry and prose. Your words put me right in that moment. I like the imagery, the way you describe life. Brilliant

[Sunflower/Sara Kendrick]

Great expressive work..Yes, the depths of one's being is so much better than just the shallows..I am glad that I chose to drop by today..Sunflower/Sara

[Pax]

interesting format and very deep meaning. i really like how the words form of some kind of shape. well done.

[Morrigan Nicole]

Well, off course, letting go is sometimes the only ticket to the train of the future, or even just the present.

[Tate Morgan]

Each wave brings the clock a new face. How it ages so across the tortured tide
This is one f the best lines ive seen in a long while

[MichelleClay]

This is brilliant! Full of hidden meanings. How comforting it is to read this. If only we could all let go, then we would be truely free.