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Walled In

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The paint recalls, layered and petulant, groans
mindless in its ground, it decomposes.
Granules of hematite, pale traceries of gypsum,
the crevasses of cave wall are soot soothed.
Layered and petulant the palm of man appears
charcoal dusted, amongst the antelope and bison.

Do you hear the drum’s call, the hollow 
wail of bone flute, the slap of bare feet, 
the drone of chant?

Red-lead or orange crystalline roars atop
the gummy white in Pharaoh’s tombs.
See the deathly desert and the blood of power
as it paves the way; ochre, gypsum, 
copper blue, groan mindless in its ground.

Do you hear the drums call, the hollow
wail of wooden flutes, the rattle of the tambourine
the clink of bell, as bare feet dance entranced?

Decomposed, composed, each grain 
calls to mind pale traceries of the ages left behind.
Soot-soothed, charred coal outlines the faces
of God and man upon the walls of time.


First Published by Mused 2013

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 2/17/2015 10:16:00 AM
A thought provoking write, calling up visions in the mind, and transporting back in time. Very well done, Debbie. Thanks for sharing.
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Date: 2/12/2015 4:11:00 PM
Wow! Top rating for a captivating write, Debbie! I wish I could close my eyes and have you reading out these delightful lines, so I can imagine its full beauty. #7 // paul
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Date: 2/10/2015 4:58:00 AM
Exquisite write Debbie,, loved the second and fourth stanza that leave us pondering,, i can hear the drum calls,, ready to dance as well,,barefeet of course !
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Date: 2/9/2015 9:28:00 PM
Enjoyed this excellent and well written poem, Debbie. You are a master of descriptive language and I can imagine the tribal ways through the history of time. A big 7!
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Date: 2/9/2015 7:44:00 PM
Love your love of art and your love of ancient history Deb and yes, I hear the drum's call...May I have this dance? (Barefoot of course) Go straight to my favs. Do not pass go...
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