Ghost of Cain

Replace this heart of soiled sedition.
This junkyard filled with ugly treason.
Forgive, o Lord, embattled reason, 
at the turnpike,  chosen left ...off course.
His smoke went up with no remorse,
where my jealous hate, my brother slain,
branded brow the mark of Cain.

Now thoughts are choked by desert sand,
I beg reprieve with blistered hands.
Stolen youth in a game of chance,
Just took off, no backward glance.
Blinded by the blaring sun, aided by the caravans, 
endless miles through wispy sands
My zest for water I forgot to think, 
At night a mare that steals my drink.

Dancing girls in searing heat,
with hooded eyes and flaming feet,
a swimming haze, in a river there
towards I run -they disappear.

With Abel gone the ghost of Cain, 
tries to talk but can not say,
Who howls at night and barks all day?
Blood of my brother, source of my pain
Your soul still wanders on a deserted plain
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Cresswell Avatar
September 5, 2017 at 6:05 AM
It looks like you live in Eden, so beautiful! I decided to go back to the beginnings here and was greatly rewarded. A deep thought well expressed. Thank you for this poem.
Breedt Avatar
January 4, 2018 at 2:49 PM
Quite so , and here I am finding your comments almost too late. I graciously thank you
Robinson Jr. Avatar
January 10, 2017 at 5:05 AM
Very profound, and deeply moving poem, Jannie. You have an exceptional ability to make your penned imagery come alive w/earnest emotion. Rare talent indeed. Love this poem, love the message even more. Magnificent write, my new poetic friend. Just a curious question, how exactly did Cain kill Abel? Very few souls know, except the Spirit reveals the mystery of the first murder recorded in human history. Much love and more love to you and yours from Romantic Warrior.
Breedt Avatar
January 10, 2017 at 8:16 AM
I am sitting here smiling. The eye that sees and the ear that hears is a gift from God. Your humility Freddie makes you a beautiful person. This one and Punctated in Time are my favorites . Ty so much. My esteemed friend
Godwin Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 10:20 AM
You are receiving my fav response - WOW. The intelligent content one must commit to for it isn't quick reader fluff stuff, but deep and meaningful, then the rhyme and flow sparked my poetry pulse as only such poignant, well-written, deep, brief lines can do with their 1, 2 punch. AND, I personally love punctuation - it helped the flow and added clarity for me. Sometimes our best poems are delivered straight from muse to page w/o much revision and this reads like one such gem ... CayCay
Godwin Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 2:17 PM
Oh, Jannie - feel good compliments just keep coming - you are very kind to me! I wish my Father could read your remark below because I never went to college, only finished high school, then a year of secretarial training. SO - thank you!!
Breedt Avatar
October 27, 2016 at 1:28 PM
My esteemed friend thank you. I absorb what you say . However, this poem took hours of labour. For me it doesnt just flow. You were better educated.
Warlov Avatar
September 16, 2016 at 4:32 PM
Superb, but if you'll make it political; I.e.; Include all thoes who kill their brothers, change the last line to: "We souls who wander desert plains."
Warlov Avatar
October 6, 2016 at 2:32 AM
OK. I missed that. thanks for clarification, although much sibling rivalry is political.
Breedt Avatar
October 3, 2016 at 4:23 AM
Hi Robert thamks for your input. I did change it but not the way you suggested.its all about infanticide or rather sibling rivalry not political
Lindley Avatar
May 5, 2016 at 8:53 AM
This is a great poem. Deep, smooth and with an important message. Closed out with very strong verses too.A7
Breedt Avatar
May 11, 2016 at 2:47 AM
wow thank you Robert
Dietrich Avatar
April 16, 2016 at 7:14 PM
wow, this is deep! Love the allusions to the Bible story. Great writing, Janine.
Breedt Avatar
May 5, 2016 at 4:45 AM
Thank you Andrea, I am very honoured and I see you are ranked no 1.congrats
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