To Tell A Story of Kindness About My Friend Shems
I. A STORY
Try not to tell
this story so you can
weave these words
in the hereafter.
II. MY DESERT TRIP
Either I found myself,
or maybe I was found,
when I moved out of shade
created by two wooden
supports of old Redwood
carved with patient etchings
of the sun and the moon.
There to hold in place life
away from the desert heat.
Two days to walk to well
where I stay every year.
Hear this lonely desert.
To the sun I offer
This banner in the sand.
The challenge of a new life.
III. A BANNER A DAY
On this day I planted
miles and miles of banner;
red, blue, violet, black, and white.
Each spoke of beating hearts,
drums muffled by the wind.
By blessed undying
light reflected off sole
of my feet, sink in sand
when I plant banners pole.
Streamers begin to dance.
The well water flows “God,”
to wash face from a pail,
to praise each strengthening,
sip slowly with my love.
I did not understand any rules.
I grasped air to try to find tools.
IV. THE WILD MAN
Here standing by my well,
met wild man of desert.
His layers of fine dust
forming cloud as he danced
a Tarantella type.
Within a few seconds
his firm grip took my chin,
“Please, look in my eyes, here
God dances to Water Joy!”
“Are you a man of God?”
Without loosening grip,
“To you we are hiding,
but to me everyone.”
As I share my water.
Through the struggles of my failing
your many acts of kindness sing.
Held my spirit up in clouds ring.
V. FRIENDSHIP
Takes my drink of water
lightly splashes face, hands,
“I have been in desert
to dance a dance of love,
daily waking crushed earth.
Once known this rapture,
a rapture of being,
you will never survive
without it’s flame again.”
Invited him in to drink
under my banners shade.
Quietly massaged
Our tender feet with oil.
Drank wine and enjoyed food.
Now I find I cannot pick up my phone.
to sit upon this spot alone,
I wonder how you may have grown.
to miss your song your joyous tone.
VI. WORDS
Don’t let your body entrap you.
Raise your spirit clear over your head.
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Fascinating and rather esoteric read filled with fine imagery and thought-provoking phrases, Jamie. The structure was interesting, offered ideas that are the spiritual core of the poet. Nicely penned and expressed. I really enjoyed it.
One of the most unique pieces I have read in sometime – you’ve done a masterful job weaving this tale together; just the right amount of description to anchor the imagery in the readers mind without being too wordy…impressive
Very nice, Jamie. I enjoyed reading this poem, it is spiritual and pleasant. Well done.
Well done, Jamie. Different, which is good.
Very different – and I loved it. Well done!
Very ,very nice , I love this style of writing ! I really must try it more ! And do I ever love the deserts of the southwest ………..:-]