Rest

Rest now O restless heart released in ebb to flow ride the other side of the king tide rising buoyant your movement in rise with the waves Rise! to beyond where breakers break long-suffering shores pitiless the grind of stones and shells to grounds - ride the quiet swell to the quayside of the distant bay where the Moon reviews you not as you pass through the m o m e n t of your body’s darkest hour -- let the searchlight’s glow shepherd your soul as its bronze-beams breach the rampart of night rejoin from where you came; yonder duality of seeds sown in wombs farther from tears and laughter that tear apart or gather beyond hems of parched deserts edging frond oases longer than waking rays’ convergence to the compass East to a solar seam sewn in sacred union - the merge of salt and sage where surging squalls pall with ease a verge where dawn’s white sword cuts the bleak pleat with a slice of bright; a beacon for your spindrift ..adrift between the sequin sea and secret sky Go! where the first gate of departure was your last gate of entry; the lowest realm of creation mid Earth and lofty cumulus ascend mountains of Angels spiral notes of seven strings’ stirred not stilled by death aspire peaks of pale petals absent of thorns immaculate the hallelujah lifting from tongues of sunrise flames emboldened and enfolded in hue of lapis blue -- shed stratum garments and trinkets constellated organic your orbit in a solar system waltz through the universe... star-spangled the ballroom! but dulling your luster the tarnished song and dance with mirth and misery; ages ago the death of a star for the birth of your mortal being enshrined in young eyes glitzy bits of starshine sweet laughter light lilted by breaths of air as iron steeled your red pulse with its stellar sacrifice supernova shrapnel the metal and mettle of your marrow’s armor.. courage against cowardice salvation against damnation for you were conceived a dyad born of cosmic formation and destruction aha! behold the contrary nature of Nature Aether inhales strands of cirrus weighing on you tying you down looped in the bow of the Great Mother’s apron strings; milkmaid’s yoke of vanity and guilt bends heavy - yes! heavy the heave the brood of your brag and bray a burden of modern sins and a bundle of rusted instincts shouldered in sacks across the wilted stem of your spine — now the burden and bundle set aside untied forgiven the ambitions of living ah.. unyoked from the gravity of flesh and blood! speed across subtle sweeps of mystical motes of matter sands where the temple of time meets its demise where the last gate of re-entry was your first gate of departure Free! from separating stiffening specks of paradox free in asymmetry the rapture of purest energy indistinct indefinite infinite as your spirit was dressed so your spirit is undressed relieved of embryonic Dust received rest now O restful soul in Oneness Susan Ashley May 31, 2021 ~ First Place ~ Premiere Contest: Non-Dual Awareness Sponsor: Unseeking Seeker ~ Second Place ~ Premiere Contest: Open Poetry 5 Sponsor: Charlotte Puddifoot