The Sigh of Misted Breath

So battle weary am I.
Scars have written their story
in Sanskrit across my back.
A blood-stained hand print
splayed on a limestone wall
will mark this time and place.

I dance the ceremony of ghosts
swirling through the path of swords
of another day, barbarians waiting
at the gates of my thoughts
refusing to be banished
begging, begging, begging

to be let in for they are starving
for more misery and loss,
but I have no more to give.
I long to be the moss-covered stone knight,
hands placed on the hilt of my sword,
to rest in dust beneath the cold carved effigy

of a deep hollow-eyed silence
that will breathe life into my soul
and release the light that has been trapped
within weakened flesh and bone.
I await the coming of the final blow
as I listen for the sweet sigh of misted breath.

Reviews

[Muse]

Captivating...

to be let in for they are starving
for more misery and loss,
but I have no more to give.
I long to be the moss-covered stone knight,
hands placed on the hilt of my sword,
to rest in dust beneath the cold carved effigy


Your poem took me to a mystic wonderland. It made me think of that movie the Sword and the Stone. A voyager looking for solitude and peace in a tired weary world.

[icelandicblue]

You have captured what I was trying to say perfectly!

[David Scott]

I am not sure why, but I have tears...
Beautiful blue...
I cannot thank you enough for sharing this.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you David. I am moved by your reaction and appreciate that you shared it.

[David Scott]

Very odd... It did strike a cord with me.
Too much pain medication maybe... Ha.
I think too much heart penned into your art... If there is such a thing.

[icelandicblue]

This was a very raw write for me. You are perceptive David, with or without medication. I hope all is well.

[David Scott]

I felt it immediately. You are brave to write this way.
I just have a three month long tooth ache... Sucks.
I'll get over this one. ;)

[willweb]

This poem was exceptional. The images it created in my mind were sad but beautiful. Darkness collected in my thoughts. I enjoyed this today.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much once again for your kind words.

[ChemicalMadness]

you definitely created a vivid time and place here...and conveyed well an utter sense of exhaustion. i see everything here in earth tones, which makes your reference to light all the more stark and drives the focal point home (for me). nicely done.

CM.

[icelandicblue]

Thanks CM, thought you might like this better than rhyme.
I appreciate your comment.

[Debbie_Philly]

This is just an amazing piece of poetry ....the descriptions and feelings felt in this piece really come through... well done !! :)

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Debbie.

[Aethereal]

After too many battles, every warrior craves a peaceful resting place. I was inspired to write this tiny experimental gift poem for you about such a warrior. You may keep this poem as your own:

Stone Statue

That bite from a fight
that a warrior feels
is slight if a knight
as a statue heals
his sprite every night
as his spirit reels
from blight to that light
that his tomb conceals.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Aethereal. I am touched that it inspired you to write your own poem.

[Aethereal]

You're welcome! All those white stone statues above warrior tombs are meant to placate their ghosts by bringing some light to the depths. In this way, they don't wander off to haunt the living. Don’t forget flowers, and flags too on that special day of the year.

[Rita L. Sev]

A warrior's call, a mother's cry... there is great strength in both, and in your words, Blue.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Rita. ;)

[Anand Sehgal]

Scars have written their story
in Sanskrit across my back.
A blood-stained hand print
splayed on a limestone wall
will mark this time and place.

you gave me the flavor of an ancient war and a lone survivor instantly :)

Loved it :)
**********************************************************************************************************************************************

[icelandicblue]

Thank you...it feels that way some time.

[Anand Sehgal]

I could relate to it well because I read a lot about the historic wars :)

[Brittany Zedalis]

I am glad to have stumbled across your work. This is magnificent!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you I appreciate your kind words.

[Frieda P]

Your pen always delves into brutally honest and painful open sores...the angst is palpable on your page Anne. That final blow is always a killer...

[icelandicblue]

And still I wait...and here I am. Love ya Frieda.