Darren White Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

"And death shall have no dominion" 

-Dylan Thomas

In Life

In life they take and take, dignity, peace. In life they trick us into nothing. Lower than soil; deeper than roots; sunk in swamps.

In death we live,
find paths past moon
and stars.

In life they destroy thoughts; desecrate bodies inside out; remove friendship; weapon spouses; alienate our children. They plough fields of fear; sow four seeds: shame, guilt, doubt and confusion; reap submission and self-harm. Their scythes we turn against ourselves. They grow... and grow.

In death we wash
our clothes in water clear
they will be new

In life our chains are made by man; their hands obscure us from the light; their hands rob us of food to feed, of clothes to cover; their hands make us shiver naked, invade and take.... and take.

with fingers spread
we wash our skin free of sin
we give forgiveness

In life we do not understand ourselves; dive head first into seas and mud; believe we are evil sinners. Puppets for far too long.

Our deaths their win
face them alive
and be complete

In life their winter will come soon, their blood will freeze, their organs crumble, their minds will scatter, food for birds, their shattered conscience preserved; they will do penance, time and again and again

We shall sit with our backs
against the tree
eat the permitted fruit
and be free

***

Copyright © Darren White
January 8, 2017

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Al Juman July 18, 2018 at 2:52 AM dive head first into seas and mud----i like your analogy

Anisha Dutta February 6, 2018 at 8:51 PM Life to struggle and Death is unknown. Our life long query going on. So nicely composed.

Darlene De Beaulieu January 30, 2018 at 5:25 PM Hello Darren, as I was reading this poem I realized that your poem spoke the truth. Have a nice evening my friend.

Patricia Cresswell January 23, 2018 at 3:45 PM I wish there was some way of changing them in life. You have encompassed the dreams and hopes of all the poor and down trodden so well.

Sara Ella January 9, 2018 at 6:14 PM A thoughtful poem and I like the way it shifts from one stanza to the next in a different style - very cool! :) <3 Darren White January 12, 2018 at 12:47 PM Thanks my friend, hugs :)

Poet Destroyer A January 9, 2018 at 2:21 PM I like the tone, and depth of every line. Darren. Good to be reading again. Linda Darren White January 12, 2018 at 12:47 PM So good to see you again, Linda!

Juli- Michelle January 9, 2018 at 12:29 PM Such a beautiful write on death and what awaits us. I love the shape this forms, almost like a ladder of sorts up to heaven :) Love, Juli-Michelle

Joanna Daniel January 9, 2018 at 9:12 AM Brilliant poem, Darren, hope you are better, wishing you good health in this new year!! Darren White January 12, 2018 at 12:46 PM Thanks so much Jo, slowly coming back here :)

Tim Smith January 8, 2018 at 9:32 PM Amazing my friend Darren White January 9, 2018 at 5:02 AM Thanks so much my friend <3

Jean Murray January 8, 2018 at 2:19 PM "Do not go gently into that dark night " Darren. Darren White January 9, 2018 at 5:01 AM Gentle, nowai! I follow Dylan Thomas everywhere :)

Arturo Michael January 8, 2018 at 10:01 AM What a poem...Well done. I found to be very captivating... All the best Darren Darren White January 8, 2018 at 11:41 AM Arturo, Thank you for the compliment!, and all the best to you too.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart January 8, 2018 at 9:40 AM Phenomenal pen Darren! Pat your muse on the back for me for this one, word perfect excellence. Fave sweet P <3 muchos mo hugs! Darren White January 8, 2018 at 11:42 AM Ma mo, thank you, also for the fav :) And loads of higs for you too.