A Lonely Ruin

Etched in my soul
is the peace of a lonely ruin,
an old chapel on the skull
of a hill surrounded by pastureland
and wind-swept trees.
Below a lake stretches into the distance,
its waves lapping the mottled shores,
its waters harboring a variety of fishes,
its surface mutating according to nature's whims.
 
I lie on my bed in my urban hovel,
a small window opened ajar,
I smell the effluvial stink of the dirty alley,
I hear the hellish hustle and bustle
of the mad world outside,
the world that rejected me, leaving me jobless
on the verge of homelessness
on the brink of famine.
 
Like a somnambulist, I walk away
like a drugged addicted old man,
and limp towards my haven far away.
The way is long, and torturous, and steep.
I fall, get up, knees bleeding, but keep on
until at last I reach the top where silence reigns. 
What did I expect to find here? 
I look down as the earth stretches before me. 
And wonder what must He had felt 
with a panorama such as this 
as He hang on a tree, 
blood dripping from a thousand wounds.  
There was no silence then but only jeers. 
Here on the skull of my haven is silence and peace 
and I wonder: would there have been 
silence and peace, had He  
not died so many years ago?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Ong Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 1:51 AM
Lovely imagery, many layered. Lovely flow of words. One to keep re- reading. Thanks
Legros Kelley Avatar
March 7, 2021 at 11:58 PM
I believe you are right, we could have no peace except for Him. This world can be (and way to often is) exactly what you described 'hellish' for far too many people. For many of us, our peace comes from Him, or there would be none. Thank you for this beautiful poem.
Theraven Avatar
December 10, 2020 at 9:40 PM
Victor, Your poem left me torn from the inconsequential light and life of day. Quite wonderful, a lesson to learn. -Richard
Theraven Avatar
January 30, 2021 at 7:31 PM
Some poems returned to, like a pilgrimage, or an old path. Provide me with just a little more light. That's just enough. -Richard
De Beaulieu Avatar
December 9, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Hello Victor, a very deep poem with a question that can not be answered. I ponder the answer to the question. Enjoy your your day my friend.
Rodrigues Avatar
December 8, 2020 at 7:20 PM
Your ponderings are deep my friend!
Dietrich Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 2:37 PM
wow, amazing work here, my friend. The ending is just so incredible. FAVE
Crabtree Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 1:31 PM
Another great story, Victor. You bring to mind a lot of wonder :)
Hamilton Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 12:42 PM
I thought the first time you mentioned a hill called skull it might be about Jesus, you do storytelling so well Victor, and your use of seldom used words eg hovel, somnambulist, mottled, effluvial, all great words that have great imagery. I'd hate to think what kind of world it would be without his sacrifice! Oh and this is a fave!
Cunningham Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 7:45 AM
A very deep and creative write Victor, your last line certainly provokes thought Tom
Roper Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 7:43 AM
Great verse with well said imagery. Reminded me of the leading to the execution site, of Jesus at the place of the skull. A fav, my friend. hugs Eve
Andresen Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 6:33 AM
- A great and deep poem, Victor :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Pandit Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 5:40 AM
In your creative rendering you lifted me to the top to see the light. Your poem enshrines divinity - apt for the festive season. A story superbly told, as always, Victor.
Kendrick Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 3:58 AM
There would not be the silence and peace that resides within the Christian heart today if He had not died. He was the perfect sacrifice, the only perfect one there was or ever will be. I like your spiritual work. Don't doubt as Satan would have you to do. Thanks for the visit to my page. I like Del Monte and use those canned goods frequently even more so since the corona virus because they store so easily. You might want to read my reply to your comment on the poem "So Cute". Sara
Y. Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 12:13 AM
Hi Victor, Your descriptions seem so vivid and real. He hung on the tree so mankind could experience real peace and so much more.Thanks for sharing such a write, my friend. This is going straight into my favs:-)Alexis
Buehler Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 9:45 PM
I love this beautiful poem, Victor. It's a Fave. :)
Rose  Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 6:42 PM
I beg not, he changed the world for us, and he is still lighting our way, thank you for sharing such a deep sentimental poem dear Victor, Glad to see your still writing these beauties.
Cholt Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 3:44 PM
Great poem, with a very deep and poignant question at the end.
Mcintosh Avatar
December 6, 2020 at 2:03 PM
Ahh... but HE LIVES!!! So very thankful I am for this!!! God bless you always, dear friend :)
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