when doves cry

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1st in Prince Roger Nelson Songs Contest (Sponsor: Karen Jones)

Judged: June 18th, 2025

it's usually early 
as day starts turning 
over 
when the air around is as heavy as 
seas
in your chest 
feelings are intermixed
between despair 
and hope

like the sea 
when your odds are in a bottle,
scribbled futilities tossed to the waves,
exit on the backside 
of tides

until they resurface
with old whale stench
one out of water
tanning
under a hard sun 

doves cry 
in the shade 
of mahogany trees 
between noon and three

when my mother's mother's
roundabout 
nonsense 
lyrics
"Moses speak_God's word 
Isaac too"
come fresh 
to me

the doleful 
doves  
portend cardinality
begging adulterers 
to repentance

"Feathery Prophets!"

grandmothers had spoken
   that death will walk 
   into this village,
   some house, any hour,
   more sure than May rain,
   taking stock 
   and mourners...
   and choirs...
   and pastors preach
   and pray you well
   while you sleep
   later we'll all fall asleep

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Triny Xiang

Date: 6/27/2025 7:05:00 PM

Haunting. I cannot help but hear Prince crooning your words. When we all fall asleep, I'm confident doves will still cry. Repentance is not hardwired into our bird brains. Perhaps that's why so many prophets are singing the tired message. A peaceful sleep is a Godsend. May you have many of those.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/31/2025 5:17:00 AM

Trina, this is an interesting write! I enjoyed it! Loved the simplicity of: doves cry in the shade of mahogany trees between noon and three… pretty and informative! …feathery prophets that speak of repentence and remembering the words of grandmothers that remind us. Fave!

Karen Jones
Date: 6/19/2025 7:12:00 AM

You’re welcome.

Trina Layne
Date: 5/31/2025 11:56:00 AM

Appreciate it. Thank you!