That Strange September Day

I was young- nearly twenty-
the day innocence became ill.
I remember the funeral well
that ninth month.

As the sunlight shattered another night,
I awoke in a dim lit room, silenced
by a strange sunrise
as it splayed across the earth,
then darkened in the most
somber and eeriest gloom.

Ashes were scattered over the sea,
beyond the hills,
into the valleys,
hurdling ocean waves,
drifting across isles,
then settling into unknown graves.

The thin-lipped mistress
shed no tears from faraway shores,
her saw-toothed, jagged edges
cutting deep the wagging tongues,
swaggering into the Eagle's beak.

Her colorless face, with black eyes
bored into souls with a craven heart,
stone cold and set- cast deeper
than the wounded stars and bleeding stripes,
flying at half mast.

We sat huddled, wrapped in gray shawls,
glum and sullen- watching
the smoke curling upward toward the angels
who were stepping out of a mystical fog
dove wings spread wide, reaching down
to lift up all who had fallen.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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

Smith Avatar
March 12, 2016 at 2:32 PM
I'm becoming a big fan, great write again, but why only such grey foreboding tales?
Smith Avatar
March 12, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Dana, tomorrow is our next best day. Look for the sun, it's there, just look. I think you are way to young to live in the shadows. Thanks for the compliment you are too kind, Love to you...Charlie
Young Avatar
March 12, 2016 at 2:47 PM
Oh Charlie...I am in a dark place in my life right now and I guess that is just how my mind is thinking. I have read several of your poems and have become to realize you are quite talented!!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace