Saturday 11 September 2010

Amen: A Poem by Pete Marshall


Amen
A Poem by Pete Marshall

The amber glows on darkened walls
as embers spit within the hearth
A finger trawls an ancient list
and takes a name that’s walked its path

The creak of leather mars the sound
as Death would glide across the floor
and from a hook he takes his robe
and holds his scythe to reap once more

The horsemen ride beyond his grasp
to sow the seeds for Death to seek
the roots lie strong within the fields
as harvest gathers in the meek

His mouth is curled with withered lips
and eyes are sunk beyond his soul
his mind cares not for creed or Man
as Death collects his countless toll

************

The significance of today has not escaped me which is why I bring you this piece. Death cares not for colour, race, nor creed; he cares only for the dead. I have witnessed acts of terrorism, first hand, within the UK. It is always the innocent who suffer. So today I would like us all, as a world, to unite and say no....there must be a better way to settle our differences...amen.

image courtesy commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenoswin/

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Most metaphysical. Thanks for sharing.

All the best, Boonie

moondustwriter said...

It's a heavy hitting poem Pete. Often our society tries to skirt the issue of death but it lurks weather we allow it or not.

Great One Stop Poem my friend

Moon smiles

Unknown said...

Death the ulimate leveller cartes not who or what you are.
"his eyes are sunk beyond hs soul"
that's a terrifying, but wonderful image.

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

((gulp)). Here in Spain, in rural areas up north, it is still not uncommon to see gaunt old men dressed in black (for one year after the death of their wives) walking slowly with scythe in hand to cut the long grass in a pasture. Although I know they are not the grim reaper coming for me just yet, the sight does give me pause. Very nicely done, Peter.

Kay said...

hauntingly spectacular

Brian Miller said...

nice. like the personalizing of death...a great book is 'on a plae horse' by piers anthony...when death chooses a mortal to take over when he is done...kinda made me think that direction...nice pete.

annell4 said...

And gently she goes about her work. Nice piece!

ds said...

Amen...

Marshy said...

thankyou to all who have read this piece....violence creates bigger issues and solves nothing other than the suffering of innocents..cheers pete

dustus said...

Smooth sound and great depth; prompted me to recall Donne's lines...
"Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee."
Strong image too. Nice work Pete!

Talei said...

Wonderful imagery. Lovely poem, very poignant right now. Thanks for sharing.

Talei said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joshua Gray said...

well done, my friend, well done.

Joshua Gray said...

well done, my friend, well done.

Anonymous said...

And the way is love.... Amen.
Thank you for sharing; death will certainly reach out for us all. Hopefully, we will be ready to take his hand. Heartspell

Sheila Siler said...

Thank you for sharing.

Beachanny said...

Wishing you blessings this day. Death comes for us all but we pray we accomplish something with the talents we've been given. You have! You were blessed with a great talent my friend. You have given it back in your writing. Well written and well received. Peace and Namaste. Gay

Anonymous said...

Htis is amazing..

His mouth is curled with withered lips
and eyes are sunk beyond his soul
his mind cares not for creed or Man
as Death collects his countless toll

THX 4 ur soul

Nessa said...

Amen.

signed...bkm said...

Good one...I am going to look out the window tonight before I get in bed to make sure this guy is not around....Great write Pete..bkm

L.L. Barkat said...

yes.

TALON said...

Amen...

Christine Ramsay said...

What an amazing description of death. You set the atmosphere so dramatically. Great work.

Christine

RiikaInfinityy said...

Truly beautiful, the dark feel flowed within this poem truly intrigue me, thank for sharing!=D

Anonymous said...

"and eyes are sunk beyond his soul..." This line stopped me dead in my tracks (excuse the pun). I have never read a line that so perfectly shows the image of death, whether physical or spiritual. This poem was masterful, beautiful in so many ways, and this line was unforgettable. Great work, Pete and thank you for your thoughts on 9/11.

Marshy said...

normally i try to reply to each comment but the sentiment regarding this piece meant that perhaps it should just be as it is....thank you all for visiting.....and AMEN

Sheila said...

riveting. Amen.

Emmanuel Ibok said...

wow!...splendid write with a vivid image...death cant be left hungry...we must feed it one way or the other but the greatest joy is the fact that it cant consume the soul and that is where the "real man's" substance should lie.

Cheers!