dew creeps softly
into the forest
of forgiveness

quenching the thirst you have for impossible rivers
carving hunger from hand-picked bones

runner roots spread beneath the blanket you wear
when you can’t bear to see stars touch your skin

earth’s heart beats slowly below your body
bleeding echoes of discarded remembrance

as you press an ear to the pulse of antipathy’s vein
singing softly for razor or retribution

or just one answer in a galaxy of question

dawn always feels like a reprieve of silence
the last inhale of guilt holding on to lost breath

but these tears of tree sap and mountain
climb your sleeve with the tread of expertise

rivulets run rapid in the canyon of clavicle
flooding sound from the cave of the voice you carried

washing stone and pounding words into the stream
of every moment and hour in between


17 Responses to “dew creeps softly
into the forest
of forgiveness”

  • Kathryn Dyche Dechairo Says:

    dawn as a reprieve of silence . . . you’ve articulated something I’ve often felt but never been able to put into words.

  • brian miller Says:

    first, excellent title…hooked me right away…seriously a rocking piece…so much to like but the part that really slapped me a good one was:

    as you press an ear to the pulse of antipathy’s vein
    singing softly for razor or retribution

    the allusion to suicide in it…whew….

  • Michael Says:

    Oh,your voice is always clear and strong, never hoarse from the hackneyed line or stale image. Such a fresh treasure for us all.

  • Sooz Says:

    I often find myself pressing my ear to the pulse of antipathy’s vein … very grateful each day that earth continues her heartbeat below me with her echoes of my discarded remembrances. Thank you, Kelly. ::: kb :::

  • ayala Says:

    Beautiful poem, Kelly.

  • grapeling Says:

    what a pivot:

    singing softly for razor or retribution ~

  • Mary Says:

    I like the idea that dawn feels like a reprieve from silence. I understand that…all night there was silence, and then we welcome dawn.

  • Grace Says:

    rom the title, I love it already, smiles ~ This one is really magical for me:

    dawn always feels like a reprieve of silence
    the last inhale of guilt holding on to lost breath

    Lovely writing as always Kelly ~

  • Audrey Howitt Says:

    You take my breathe away!

  • Steve King Says:

    This piece is filled with so many memorable lines, especially the “razor or retribution” stanza. What I like most about this poem, though, is the way you’ve placed the essential issue exactly in the middle: “or just one answer in a galaxy of question” Very fine writing.
    Steve K.

  • vivchook Says:

    “bleeding echoes of discarded remembrance” – wow. A beautiful poem, Kelly, your imagery is astounding. Thank you – I really enjoyed it. – Vivienne, of OneVoicePoetry, with Bjorn et al.

  • Freya Says:

    Yes, this is beautiful. My thoughts went to suicide too, as Brian said. You write so sensitively.

  • Scott Hastie Says:

    Lovely finish here and I also really liked: “the last inhale of guilt holding on to lost breath…” Regards Scott

  • Truedessa Says:

    The title is wonderful grabbed me right away

    “dawn always feels like a reprieve of silence”

    that line just jumped out at me and made me pause
    to ponder in silence

  • claudia Says:

    tight images in this.. and forgiveness is huge… love the title and sometimes i’m content with one answer in a galaxy of questions, sometimes it drives me mad

  • Barry D. Says:

    This is just amazing. Simply amazing. I can’t even quote a favorite part. Your title grabbed me, and the rest of your content kept me arrested for the duration.

  • Bjorn Says:

    The night can bring out the worst fears in us.. Everything becoming a threat… and only with the daylight that comes we can shred some of those fears away…

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