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 December 2017

On Going Within

I speak into a void. He, Hermit, goes
so far into his cave, no-one can see
his lone attempts to heal his current woes.
I don’t know if he’s even hearing me;
he’s possibly so deep he never knows
that messages are sent at all. Will he
restore himself by hiding as in womb –
or does he pull around himself a tomb?

Another ottava rima for the Poetic Asides form challenge

Sharing this (nearly a year later) with Poets United's Poetry Pantry #428

21 comments:

  1. Fascinating poem really. The choice of 'womb' to heal or 'tomb' to die is a choice sometimes it seems. I do hope he chooses the womb, as a tomb comes soon enough!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pulling around himself a tomb is so powerful. I love the form and the rhyming in this piece. Well done, Rosemary.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Phew! The beginning didn't prepare me for the stark polarity of the choices at poem's end! I agree with Sherry about the power of the form and rhyme. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stark choices indeed but aren't they both a point of birth or rebirth... thought provoking.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fascinating write. I have days where I aspire to be a hermits.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Or are they interchangeable, the womb and the tomb?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Questions for the mirror's deep reflection. It is death to go that far into the cave: will the initiate follow?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh this is incredibly potent! The question at the end left me breathless.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Choice is such a changer. I wonder which path he'll take. I wonder, wonder...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I so wonder if anyone can solve his problems alone...

    too often the womb turns to tomb.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting debate on solitude. Thanks for dropping by my sumi-e Sunday today Rosemary

    uch💛❤💛love

    ReplyDelete
  12. That balance of healing or leaving and the trust that the speaker has to allow for the choice sent a shiver down my back.

    ReplyDelete
  13. One can feel the weight of the tomb. A womb and tomb are both places of encasement. Both a place of birth or rebirth. Will he find a way to break free?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had to stop and think about your words - so provocative. I did some reflection and think I could go back again and again to reflect on your poem. It not only speaks of introspection it elicits it. Wonderful write.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am fascinated by this form and your deep words especially the ending of womb or tomb.....it does feel like that sometimes when I draw myself in and away.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ah--this feel weighty and true--there is a wonderful sense of a return to ourselves in this piece for me

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rhyming does this well, is a joy to read. In particular, the rhyming couplet at the close … brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  18. A clever use of 'womb' and 'tomb'...love the contrast. It means either a peaceful or sad ending

    ReplyDelete
  19. How well this poem is written on all counts; its imagery, rhyme and the unanswered question at the end. Brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  20. masterfully done!
    we may never fully understand his search for solitude.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are moderated and will be visible after being approved by the blog owner. If you can only comment anonymously, please include your name in the comment, just so I know who's talking to me.