Friday, May 4, 2018

The Call of the Drum



The crone, wrinkled and gnarled,
with her long stringy hair,
is stirring in the forest
in her nest of leaves.

Rabbits and wolf cubs perk their ears
and the bear is arrested mid-swoop,
while fishing in the river.

She is sounding the drum,
its reverberating thrum
calling the Council of All Beings
to the river's edge.

Her drumbeat is calling me
out of the grey town.
It beckons me deep
into the forest's heart,
where all is green, and silent
and sacred.

I enter the primeval sepulchre
as the world goes still
and falls away.

The way forward is written
somewhere
within that stillness.

I need but listen closely,
to find my way.


A poem from 2013, picked at random for sharing with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United, where you will find fine reading to accompany your coffee of a Sunday morning.


23 comments:

  1. Ah, we all have to find our way forward...somehow. Interesting to reflect that this poem was written in 2013, Sherry. You have made your way forward quite well since that time, Sherry! Smiles.

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  2. Ah yes, I believe I remember this one. I love it! As Mary suggests, you have answered your call – and of course it is one we need to keep answering, in various ways.

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  3. One just has to listen, indeed... to everything

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  4. The way forward is written
    somewhere within that stillness.

    The call from the stillness of the jungle is often missed by many!

    Hank

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  5. Council of All Beings... that's delightful...it is the only way forward!

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  6. If only one nation could set the example others might follow, otherwise we may have to do it on our own. Perhaps we could start with a referendum in each country.

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  7. I enjoyed your poem about the crone with stringy hair, Sherry, a close-up of forest life. I love that the crone sleeps in a nest of leaves and I agree:
    'The way forward is written
    somewhere
    within that stillness'.

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  8. Indeed, and all we need to do is open our hearts and listen.. ❤️

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  9. The drumbeat is powerful, but it demands a price of stillness to hear it's rhythm.I consider that a bargain.

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  10. To listen, yes to listen

    Happy Sunday to you Sherry

    much love...

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  11. A beautiful read...listening is key. Every word was filled with meaning - thank you for sharing!

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  12. You have made your way forward, Sherry. Beautiful reflection.

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  13. ah, to listen to the drumbeats of our hearts..

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  14. I love this section:

    "I enter the primeval sepulchre
    as the world goes still
    and falls away.

    The way forward is written
    somewhere
    within that stillness."

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  15. A welcome call (especially for an afternoon of reading) to be still and listen. :)

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  16. You transported me to themail forest with this. Beautiful.

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  17. Those closing lines say it all, don't they! Wonderful!

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  18. You drawn the scene so WONDER fully and imbued it with magic. This is really special!

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  19. I love this. I can hear the drum beats slowly and rhythemically beating, steadily leading our feet. It is interesting you refer to the green space as "primeval sepulcher". I always refer to it as the "cathedral". Both are holy spaces.

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  20. Dear Sherry, you have found the way, the past is an enlightening forest we travel through.
    Well written.
    ZQ

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  21. This reminds me of a drumming chorus of women I was in one time. Very spiritual and awe inspiring. What a wonderful memory you conjured with this poem. Thank you!

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  22. Listen coz the sound & the music never dies.
    The path is ahead and listening may reveal the surprise :)

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