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

32 comments:

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

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

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  3. Haunting. I really like this.

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

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

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

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

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

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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. really, it's ethereal. lovely use of the form.
    reminds me of the beauty of Adelaide Crapsey's cinquains.

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  16. This resonates...so honest and beautiful.

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

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

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

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  23. 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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  24. To hear the bell early would not be mt choice.

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

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