The Crowning Glory!

...inspired by 'An Artist' by Seamus Heaney


He keeps himself confined,
to bluster now, and remonstrate
the struggle being more than he can bear.
Pieces of him pulverized, fashioned from
the sweat of his own making to a glimpse
of the immortal, just a glimpse, but not
the crowning glory. 

So many vestiges, heros in the making,
but a careless chip, an errant slice,
consigns them to the beggars pile,
without that patina of agelessness.
Never ready, never groomed to wear
that sacred halo on their heads, 
the crowning glory.

Once in a while a piece emerges,
bursting from the cold, defiant marble,
his fingers can't work fast enough
to exorcize this deity,
fingers, limbs and face in perfect symmetry,
they become eternal,
the suggestion of a wreath their crowning glory!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Wesley Avatar
May 28, 2012 at 1:23 PM
I'm thinking this is a sculptor pouring himself into his creation. I think some carved statues have a soul when I look at them. The old mastters certainly have never been replaced. Aren't we lucky to have these treasures?
Green Avatar
May 16, 2010 at 11:17 PM
This is amazing! Truly... I have never read your work before, but you have some real talent. Definitely going into my fave poets.
Brown Avatar
September 29, 2009 at 5:58 AM
I enjoyed reading your wonderful poetry today. Please continue writing and sharing with us Keith. It has been awhile since I have read your poetry. But when I do get the chance it is always amazing. Thank you. Love, Carol
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