I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

28 July 2015

Now Falling

Now
falling
through soft rain
comes the slight sound
you almost dismiss,
the one you tell yourself
is imagined, but you know
it is the tolling of that bell,
it is your death announcing itself
although only faintly yet and far off.


An etheree for the latest Play It Again at 'imaginary garden with real toads.
Also linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #263
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32 comments:

  1. Ella28 July 2015 at 11:39

    Oh, so sad~ I love the layering effect and how you tug at my heart's strings.

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  2. Anonymous28 July 2015 at 11:51

    yes, sad but an arresting idea "death announcing itself". Nice work.

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  3. Maude Lynn28 July 2015 at 12:07

    Haunting. I really like this.

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  4. Sumana Roy28 July 2015 at 13:21

    " but you know / it is the tolling of that bell,"...sigh...

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  5. Sherry Blue Sky28 July 2015 at 14:26

    It had better be far off, for we cant spare you, my friend.

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  6. Susie Clevenger30 July 2015 at 14:32

    Oh may that bell toll way out in the distance...great mastery of the form

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  7. Rob Schackne31 July 2015 at 03:54

    It is very beautiful, dear Rosemary. It has a Japanese feel to it. Nothing can last forever...and we know this even as we take pleasure in the world. It isn't sad -- but rather, it is WHOLE. Which comprises everything we are and everything we're going to be. In the Buddhist temples that I've visited here in China, there is a big bell tower somewhere near the centre. You wait your turn, you walk up the stairs to the top, take firm hold of the small log used as the clapper...and swing it HARD. Maximum sound, maximum prayers sent out to others. Keep up your fine work.

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  8. Margaret31 July 2015 at 12:52

    soft rain... I guess if death arrives like that it might be a blessing. There are so many ways for death to announce itself. Interesting take on the subject. Well done.

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  9. Mary2 August 2015 at 07:01

    Ah, I think year after year we can hear that bell. Each year it gets a bit more insistent. Perhaps we ignore it as long as we can.

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  10. Old Egg2 August 2015 at 16:53

    What a great build up in that form as the extra syllables grow.

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  11. Vandana Sharma2 August 2015 at 18:49

    Lovely song flow

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  12. Jae Rose2 August 2015 at 19:38

    Far off far off the bell tolls for all of us I suppose...but a long way yet I hope..your poem peals through the soul..a reminder..but still beautiful...

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  13. kaykuala2 August 2015 at 20:28

    the one you tell yourself
    is imagined, but you know
    it is the tolling of that bell

    Are there occasions when one can have premonitions of impending demise. Apparently it may happen in certain cases!

    Hank

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade3 August 2015 at 00:42

      I believe it can happen - but this was more in the nature of hearing, like Marvell, 'Time's winged chariot hurrying near'.

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    2. Truedessa3 August 2015 at 12:09

      premonitions are very real...we must use wisdom when we see things..

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  14. Sanaa Rizvi2 August 2015 at 21:48

    There is a meditative feel to this poem.. hope that the sound of bells is very far off in the distance.. for you are so dear to us all. Beautifully executed :)

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  15. Gillena Cox2 August 2015 at 23:01

    make me think immediately of the title of "For Whom The Bells Toll - For Whom The Bells Toll'

    have a blessed Sunday

    much love...

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  16. dsnake12 August 2015 at 23:06

    really, it's ethereal. lovely use of the form.
    reminds me of the beauty of Adelaide Crapsey's cinquains.

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  17. Sherri B.3 August 2015 at 01:28

    This resonates...so honest and beautiful.

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  18. Sherry Blue Sky3 August 2015 at 01:41

    Back for another read, and it has great impact, my friend.........when it comes to you and I, I suspect there will be skid marks across the floor.........so much still to do here!

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  19. ZQ3 August 2015 at 06:43

    This is awesome!
    ZQ

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  20. Myrna R.3 August 2015 at 09:23

    Maybe that sound is always around, it just gets more distinguishable as we age. Your words made it louder.

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  21. Wendy Bourke3 August 2015 at 09:25

    Whew! This one gave me goosebumps - very skillfully drawn. I haven't heard the sound yet - though some days my old back does a lot of "screaming" - ha!

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  22. Purba chakraborty3 August 2015 at 10:20

    Wow! This poem is so intense. May be, we can all hear that death bell, faint and faraway.

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  23. C.C.3 August 2015 at 11:52

    Like soft rain, almost dismissed, and imagines...it all sounds so nonchalant and non-threatening until you let the reader in on the fact that it is 'death announcing itself'--yikes! That hits home really quickly. Nice contrasts here.

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  24. Truedessa3 August 2015 at 12:08

    Sometimes those bells do toll and I think we hope they are not too close to our shores..

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  25. Panchali3 August 2015 at 17:01

    Oh no...!! For Indians, bells, chimes, jingles, cymbals and gongs are commonly said to bring good luck and are often used to ward off evil spirits. Could the ringing of bells really exercise spiritual power, enabling some supernatural influence in the natural realm...I wonder!! While some believe and others doubt, there is a reality beyond superstition....let those bells toll, but...I'd want to remain far from spells of such bells, Rosemary.
    What a beautiful piece...

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  26. Gen Giggles 3 August 2015 at 22:44

    To hear the bell early would not be mt choice.

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  27. Torie4 August 2015 at 00:43

    I really like this piece, Rosemary :) Let us hope that the bell stays far off for now. But it's good for us to know that we're not meant to stay in one place forever. This was quite a good telling of that :)

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  28. Locomente9 August 2015 at 01:58

    I think I am not scared of death... Though your poem made me wonder if I really am!
    Nice one :)

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