Friday, June 3, 2011

Trail of Tears

[The Lute Player ~ Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio]

I.

The trail
of tears
is the trail
of existence.

Stroke that
well-worn
lute
and know
the song
of peace
lies in
the space
between
the notes.

II.

The White Lions
are guardians
of The Way,
and lion shamans
hold an
ancient
history.

The path
to learning
what
they know
lies in
the stars.

Kids, I am reading about lions and shamans right now. At three a.m., I woke from a deep sleep with the first poem, complete, in my head. Sadly, I lay there a fatal three seconds and by the time I got to my desk, I had lost the last half. I have approximated something here which incorporates the feel of what was lost. But it isnt the "given" words. Argh. Part of the gist of it is in the second poem. My waking brain does not appear to have access to this sort of depth, hee hee.

9 comments:

  1. It is frustrating how quickly we lose our sleep thoughts, isn't it? I keep paper and pencil at the ready, but then can't read my scribbles come morning in any case.

    What you'e written is beautiful! "The song of peace lies in the space between the notes" is as lyrical and lovely as the song of a lute. I feel certain you will expand on this...I'm looking forward to what might follow.

    And I love the photo you've chosen, Caravaggio being a painter I unabashedly admire. His was a troubled life and early death, but no-one was able to use chiaroscuro as effectively as he did. The contrast of light and dark is beyond stunning.

    This was a delightful way to start my day, Sherry...thank you...:)

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  2. Sherry,
    thank you for rushing to your desk to capture these beautiful words.!
    A melodic feel to your poem.....

    All good wishes for a wonderful weekend Sherry.
    Eileen :)

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  3. I like thinking of the song of peace lying in the space between the notes. That seems quite profound to me. Wonderful poem, Sherry, even though you didn't manage to preserve it in its entirety.

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  4. Lovely poem and thanks for the process notes, Sherry.

    Pamela

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  5. That space between notes which you find in the first piece, is that moment between half sleep and full wakefulness sometimes. But, I love the comparisons you make between that space between notes, and the knowledge of the shamans that come from ancient wisdom. Perhaps that space is far longer than we think.

    Elizabeth

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  6. Kids?

    :)

    Just wanted to say that sometimes, I have dreamt of complete stories (honest) and as soon as I woke up, in those languorous moments, savoring the idea of it all, the story vanished before I could even think of hitting the PC.

    Happens

    Wonder where do these stories and poems and ideas come from

    Wonder where we are going

    Keep it up, Sherry!

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  7. I do so love your "glee" here. Forgetful? Chuckle-chuckle. It will come (as you know). This line - "the song of peace lies in the space between the note," a lot of wisdom there, a lot.

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  8. If that first part came from your conscious mind, I wouldn't worry to much about the depth of your waking brain.

    Frustrating that things that come to when you aren't paying attention have the tendency to flee the moment you turn to look at them.

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  9. The trail
    of tears
    is the trail
    of existence.
    just like an advice from ancestors to the younger generation. what a unforgettable words! :)

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