Home » Poems » John Lawless » Lost Echoes - For Contest

Lost Echoes - For Contest

Lost Echoes


lost echoes wander silent valleys
reverberations orphaned tones
disconnected from their source

long ceased – solemn call to prayer
wasted on the ears of the callous
dried on the clapper’s lips

no need to welcome revelers
invite the workers from their fields
the center of their lives resides elsewhere

frayed, dusty ropes hang muted
no hands to give them voice
soft winds and whispers fading

on the fallow fields of hope
dry, creaking, members
bowing under toneless weight

birds, undisturbed in their nesting,
coo in the conic complacency
of the hollow past

the world is deafened now
the last of the pealing bell tones -
lost echoes – wandering silent valleys


John G. Lawless
7/25/2015

submitted to –For whom the bell tolls – Poetry contest
sponsor – Debbie Guzzi

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kelly Deschler

Date: 8/9/2015 7:28:00 PM

A sad and solemn feeling to this interesting take on the bells theme... Very nicely written, John! Congrats on your win, as well!

John Lawless
Date: 8/10/2015 9:32:00 PM

Thanks for stopping by Kelly. I have always found an eerie solace in the the tonal vibrations of bells.

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 8/8/2015 3:00:00 PM

So true it seems the church bells are leaving, no one to ring them, no one to listen for them to tell time. Thanks for entering. Congrad's Light & Love

John Lawless
Date: 8/10/2015 9:30:00 PM

Yeah Debbie, I think they have an "app" for the bells now.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 8/4/2015 1:11:00 AM

Brilliant take on bells John ! Congrats on big win!

John Lawless
Date: 8/10/2015 9:30:00 PM

Thanks Dr. Sharma

Viv Wigley

Date: 8/4/2015 12:47:00 AM

Bleak piece, I can palpably sense that feeling of abandonment. That sixth stanza is an absolute belter, John. Congrats, a #7 and a fave for me, thanks. Regards, Viv

John Lawless
Date: 8/10/2015 9:29:00 PM

Thanks for the high mark Viv. I hated Poe's poem The Bells, probably because of the way it was presented to us in High School. This is sort of my revenge..