Coming Home
Crouched amid smouldering remnants, her fractured life
mocks as crows cawconcurrence in overhead circuit—
severed scorched-board bones and battered remains of
plexiglass panes echo condemnation as she lifts a broken
mirror shard to her own accusing eyes.
The hairy mantle, the weight she has borne, shifts from its
comfortable position, leaving skin naked to the elemental
lies her crumbling foundation has revealed; no longer can
she blind herself. Safe shelter within her mind’s dark
recesses has been savagely rent from her breast.
Purifying tears finally fall, sobs stream through her veins;
weep from her pores; until emptied of bitterness, hope
trembles on fragile wings. She breathes in the seed, trusting
new, enduring roots to burgeon within her mind’s tapestry
as rebuilding begins from her soul outwards.
Her journey is arduous, each small victory assuring another,
greater triumph—with steadfast faith she marks each passage,
brick upon brick, mortared with strength and radiant glow;
sowing, nurturing, harvesting life’s fragrant blooms daily
until at last, in her person and her essence, she is home.
In truth, the crows can jeer no more, nor peer through stained
glass panes; inside this home where light abides, foundation
firm with roots entwined—tears may fall, but now the thrum
inside her heart speaks authentic, a new reality that’s built
on love within her core, mirrored in her eyes.
© Julie Catherine Vigna, 2012
(Revised January 25, 2012 – thank you, RH Peat)
This poem came from a question posed by Selena from a post on her blog; one that was so profound that I was thrust into a reflection of my own life; where I had been, and where I am headed now, questioning my own ‘life building’. This poem is dedicated to Selena—thank you for being such a blessing in my life, dear friend.
What kind of building is your life? ~ Strongheart
http://stronghearted1.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/what-kind-of-building-is-your-life/
(Revised, January 25, 2012)
Wow..
Thank you, Maiya – this was a very difficult poem to write and especially to put ‘out there’, because it’s so personal; it speaks of my own journey, and that leaves me feeling rather vulnerable. Thank you so much for coming by to read it. ~ Julie
I am glad I finally discovered where your new poetry is hiding! I’ve been looking, but have not been smart enough to figure it out until now.
First a technical note: The alliteration at the beginning of the poem is powerful:
mocks as crows caw concurrence in overhead circuit—
severed scorched-board bones and battered remains of
plexiglass panes echo condemnation as she lifts a broken..
This gives your opening stanza a powerful importance that stresses how difficult life has been.
The journey described is a painful one,
…leaving skin naked to the elemental
lies her crumbling foundation has revealed; no longer can
she blind herself.
But the description of how small victories lead to other victories that leads to the place where,
inside this home where light abides, foundation
firm with roots entwined
a new reality has been built is triumphant even though the triumph is not written in a triumphant voice.
Writing such personal poetry can sometimes scour the skin, but it also helps, I think, put life into a poetic perspective where beauty is found even in the song of crows cawing concurrence in overhead circuit. Really fine work.
Oh Thomas, I don’t know how I missed your response here – I’m so sorry. And I love your summation of my poem; of course, you are completely correct in your analysis, which is a virtual treasure to me. Thank you so much for your wonderful words, and for understanding so much in my poem. Your words mean much to me. ~ Julie
Thank you. Thank you for sharing your gift, your heart and the might of your soul.
Linda, thank you – for reading my words, and for understanding my heart. I appreciate that so much. ~ Love, Julie xox
well said, wonderful poetry