On the Land Between the Big Sink and Dewdrop Cave (2018)
ON THE LAND BETWEEN THE BIG SINK AND DEWDROP CAVE (2018)
1.) The Walk
To question where we stand upon this land
when standing on a jagged black plateau
where even rugged thistle will not grow
and every step upon this path is planned.
On black asphalt we wind through black basalt
the heat of day surrounds us like a shroud,
a blanket made of rock, no roots allowed.
Surrounded by the heat of day’s assault
where water quickly moves from earth to air
there’s limits to how one can be parched.
To stand upon this land of death and drought
our water sipped without a drop to spare.
to find some shade below where magma’s arched
an entrance underground upon this route.
2.) The Cave
To find ourselves within a monument
of frost whose contact with the heat of room
is displayed on the rock as if a rune
and water pools as if a sacrament.
A person stands as speck in this vastness,
this cave as answer to our urgent pleas
for respite from the blackened magma seas,
from dried cracked earth to blankets of dampness.
This amazing foundation we work from.
We build our comfort from this theaters stage.
We hide in mist avoiding drops of dew.
How did we end up here? Why did we come?
To escape from the modern worlds hard rage.
To stand in black with only a brave few.
3.) The Light
As we huddle in the cool and the dark
the cold has begun to hurt like the heat,
this caves moisture seeping through to our feet.
We stare ahead as blank as question mark.
If we cannot stand on the scarred above
or sit in the quiet cold of below
we wait for our instinct to rise and show
and push us from this cave with angered shove.
We see the sunlight filter through the mist.
A horizon of light from the exit,
spiritual and natural tether.
We see this heavenly cathedral kissed
with hope we stand up from this cold respite,
with faith we will leave this land together.
- On One Terrible Night: The Family Well - November 8, 2024
- A Peaceful Place to Slumber - November 8, 2024
- Soft Shock of Apples Falling - April 22, 2024
Wow ! Two very harsh and opposite extremes. Your great phrasing provides vivid imagery. Very well done, Jamie.
Wonderful descriptive poetry. Great work, Jamie. I like this.