Tension Waiting

The swordsman who draws his blade
Heart racing at the keening of steel on scabbard 
Tension coiled, poised for the unleashing
Held back by muscles tight with glee.

I am as the soldier, held in stance,
The lioness crouched beneath the concealing grass
As it sways back and forth, as insects sing along the day
Her every breath is halted, her veins do not pulse,
And just as the swordsman stands
They are statues in this moment,
Statues of derision,
Mocking, with their stillness, the very charged tension within.

And I am as the lioness frozen before her pounce
Coiled with motivation and purpose,
And I am as the tongue held with words clinging off its’ edge
Ready to lash out and strike with direction
But I am as the frozen purpose, held tight
Waiting, for a warrior to stand before me
For a reason to uncoil, to lash out with words and pounce.

But I am now as the pen halting before the purest of paper
White and supple, in askance for the lightest touch
A slash of the tip, drawing lines in ink
Lines like a hunter’s bowstring, taut with intent,

As the pen lies frozen above its prey, the falcon petrified aloft still winds
I am the need coiled tight like a wound jack in the box
But alas, there is no victim to frighten,
No pray to pounce upon, no sword or bared neck to slash against
And I am here, with pen frozen, ink ready to be drawn taut
And I have nothing to draw in the ink, no prey or purpose to evoke
I am coiled tight with energy, but it is release that so eludes me,
I am coiled tight with purpose, but it is direction that so denies me.

And here I am, pouncing at ground before me, 
Slicing away at the air around me
Scratching away with a dry pen, on paper still white in askance
I write about…
I write about the coil within, and the lack without
And alone I wonder,
Is it enough, is it enough to go on, a wound up box
Waiting for the slightest touch, the weakest parry, to live.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 8/2/2011 3:44:00 PM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through round one in the PoetrySoup International Poetry contest Samir I wish you the best in the final round. Love, Carol
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Date: 8/2/2011 4:37:00 AM
Superb writing Samir. Congratulations on making it through the first round and best wishes on making it to the Finals. Lainie
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Date: 7/5/2011 6:49:00 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Samir. May your poetry bring inspiration to others as they read it. Love, Carol
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Date: 2/24/2011 10:12:00 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved win Samir, in Debbie Guzzi's contest "Anything But Rhyme". Love, Carol
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Date: 2/20/2011 11:05:00 PM
Congratulations on winning in the contest with this fine entry. This is just full of vivid descriptiveness.
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Date: 2/18/2011 10:31:00 AM
This is a wonderful write from you Samir!Congrats on your win!
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Date: 2/17/2011 9:16:00 PM
Samir, this is artistry. This is marvelous. I feel this and can relate so well to it. I already gave a fave tonight in another winners' list, but I have to do it again for this one! Luv, Andrea
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Date: 2/17/2011 4:17:00 AM
Very nice writing, I could imagine every phrase in this very neat work! Congrats on the second place!
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Date: 2/16/2011 10:04:00 PM
This is another super write that got me gripped-- strong lines you have here, Samir & super congrats on your 1st place win! :)
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Date: 2/16/2011 9:16:00 PM
blowing real hot, samir.. all the best for the great win, CONGRATS!! :) huggs, nette
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Date: 2/16/2011 4:30:00 PM
Congratulations on the second place win in the contest, Samir
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Date: 2/16/2011 3:58:00 PM
Well it was enough to get you a top prize. Great wirting Samir. Lcongratulations. Love, Joyce
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Date: 2/16/2011 2:07:00 PM
You were certainly not short of words in this fine selection. No writers block for you. Instead-- riches for your effort. RAY
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Date: 2/16/2011 1:27:00 PM
What a wonderful free verse tale filled with stunning images. Congratulations so well deserved!
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Date: 2/16/2011 12:55:00 PM
Very discriptive, layered, thought provoking, and a wonderful come about to the end. Congrad's on this excellent win & write! 7 LighT & Love
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Date: 2/9/2011 6:48:00 AM
Great comparative work..Enjoyed..I am looking forward to the pen touching down with a great idea..Sara
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Date: 1/22/2011 3:32:00 AM
I love the expression I write about the coil within and the lack without,, enjoyed it. Samir
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