When the Clouds Caved In

There cannot be happiness in the absence of freedom
So before me lie limp my shackled hands
Bruised and battered
Imprints of illustrious patterns
Disguising my fading fingerprints
I hear the sprinkle of rain, see the sparkle of thunder
I wish both would collide and shatter my window
An angel with a broken halo peers inside
And speaks softly to me
in a hushed and gentle voice
Powerful and graceful as Niagara

YOU'RE IN THE SAME PLACE YOU WERE ONCE BEFORE
I knew this would happen eventually I left unfinished tattoos on my skin I go through the motions religiously I cant cease to stay awake I cant sleep and I don't know why I followed every damn instruction But the tempest wouldn't move, its wheels wouldn't turn The sweat of my brow turns to dust in my eye If i could cry i would With rotting dirt tracing my lashes Why do i want to remember The children as they laugh to themselves Playgrounds with rusting equipment That just refuse to collapse Just as my love for you dies slowly But delays it's final words and fade away forever I will destroy EVERYTHING that breathes and smiles Because my day dreams aren't what they were before What they're meant to be What I want them to be I turn a deaf ear to the whispers Darling, it was you who was wrong And before prejudiced eyes i stand trial Anxious, nervous, waiting Bang, bang, bang Like echoing firearms dispersing their seed in steel boxes Three knocks of the oak wood gavel, my fate is sealed Yours is my burden to carry Even though you've forgotten I still tread on dying flowers Alas, out of the winter she came Atop of a donkey with a horses name The dancers spun neatly beside her Knowing too well who she was What she was capable of And the constellation of stars she came to spoil The red sea parted to save a people But the Atlantic swallowed me up The frogs croaked in the distance The lions made peace with the lambs And I knew for certain that my soul still lay dormant beside hers I hit my chest now and then My heart beats too loud I still remember the cold shivers And that sinking feelings When i heard you had already passed through the dark I'd ask for your help, for directions But i know if my hand were to brush yours again That moment would never be lost It'd be replayed spitefully in my mind over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over Much like before, As much as now .
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

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George   Avatar
October 22, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Compelling and powerful. Thank you for sharing. Lainie
King Avatar
October 19, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Congratulations to you River on your poem being featured this week You've finally gained the recognition that you probably didn't seek If you're like me you wrote your poem because your heart had something to say You thanked us for reading by writing good words, accept thanks in return today
Rider Avatar
October 19, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations on having your poem featured! It's Wonderful! ~Trudy~
Fraser Avatar
October 19, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week >> James
Mason Avatar
October 19, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Powerfully written story here, River. At least I hope its a story ... smile ... and if you really are incarcerated, well God Bless and keep writing your way to freedom! Congratulations on having your writing selected to be a feature this week at PoetrySoup!!
Brown Avatar
October 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week River. Love, Carol
Kendrick Avatar
October 7, 2009 at 5:26 AM
I like the next to last stanza. Welcome to soup. Keep writing. Sara
Culverhouse Avatar
October 6, 2009 at 6:46 AM
wonderful, welcome to the soup, keep sharing. You have a way with words.
Moreno Avatar
October 5, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Compelling work River, thanks for sharing...Raul
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