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I see a man walking on fire
Fire in the shape of words
Rolling down his tongue
Through the lava tube of the
frail body
There is a volcanic flow
24 x 7
In the stormy Phlegethon*
He is drowning
And burning out
Drifting away
From the magic of life
Where water is love
If I had that power
I would make a littoral cave
In his blazing heart
So that he might croon
In spring flower phrase
And change the storm into a zephyr
I want him to sing
“Grant me my day
so I might yet search myself
and weep for love of myself”
A phoenix**
never fails
To rise from its ash
*In Greek mythology it is a stream of fire flowing in
the infernal region of the underworld.
**I like to believe that a man always learns from his
mistakes because he is a man.
Posted for Grace’s
hosting Sunday’s Mini-Challenge: Salvatore Quasimodo @ Real Toads
&
Shared with Poetry Pantry @ Poets United
The hate campaigner doesn't realise that in this whole process he is the one who is getting harmed the most.
ReplyDeleteHow important - that volcanic burn destroying the soul through hate.. Just hope the Phoenix will rebirth in love instead...
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope that such a phoenix would change their ways as there is so much hate in this world.
ReplyDeletewords like fire that burn so much if spoken... that stormy Phlegethon is a wonderful image to visualize the destructive power... wish he could learn to love himself and others
ReplyDeleteSadly, men (and women) seem to repeat the same patterns of behaviour. I wish that true change was possible for humanity, but personal change is, of course, achievable with self-sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant voice,good one, Sumana!
ReplyDeleteit's never too late to realize something. hoping that one day the hate campaigner will talking about love to mankind.
ReplyDeleteI admire the imagery of this:
ReplyDeleteIn spring flower phrase
And change the storm into a zephyr
And that last stanza, for the hope of the phoenix to rise from the ashes ~ Thanks for participating with Real Toads Challenge ~
Have a good week ~
This hate campaigner must be a very bitter person. I wonder what caused him to be such a hateful presence & wanting to spread his hate to others as well. And what an unhealthy malicious joy he must get from doing this. Many of us have been visited by this 'hate campaigner.' I have been visited twice & Poets United and Poetry Jam twice as well. Hopefully this too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteSome people thrive in this head space - powerful poem!
ReplyDeleteI too like to think that human beings can change and evolve yet we sometimes see too little of this. "change the storm into a zephyr" - I love the image.
ReplyDeleteThis Hate Campaigner feels like lonely person, who need negative attention, so let's show him opposite, love and compassion. :)x
ReplyDeletethis is a timely message, Sumana. there is so much hate nowadays, and it is spreading so much faster because of the internet.
ReplyDeleteOh my Sumana, this was a masterpiece and a joy to read. I loved the message you have in it and the references to mythology in it. You are a genius!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a hopeful poem, and I too hope he can rise from the ashes of his own flaming thoughts and words. Nicely penned.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope there are those who can take the lead in imposing good values in a hate-crazy world. Wonderful lines Sumana!
ReplyDeleteHank
Oh, nice one, Sumana!! A real joy to read today :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites of yours, Sumana....especially where you would wish him a cave "so he might croon in spring flower phrase".......love your closing lines too. I love that you know inside every hater lies a beating heart that might lay down his defenses and learn to love.
ReplyDeleteSo that he might croon
ReplyDeleteIn spring flower phrase
And change the storm into a zephyr... beautiful Sumana. From your mouth to God's ears... and yet He longs for that, too.
Why aren't there more LOVE campaigners in the world??? I hope you will participate in the Gratitude Quilt this year. It is simple to join in and will make your heart happy when you see the love unfurl on Nov 27th. (no sewing involved) Just close your eyes. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Ask yourself "what am I grateful for in THIS moment?" listen to your heart and type out the words that flow from your heart and send them to me. There is a link to my email address and a link explaining this project if you don't know about it yet can be found at the top of my blog. If I've already asked you I apologize for being annoying :-)
ReplyDeleteSome people seem more comfortable spitting hate instead of tolerance and understanding. You portrayed this person brilliantly, Sumana.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Well written.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Sumana I will hope that man can learn, can be reborn and turn their hate into love, help, kindness....I was buoyed by your words.
ReplyDeleteA deep and fascinating poem — and what a great phoenix image you found, too.
ReplyDeleteYou speak so beautifully about such an ugly subject! I especially love the third stanza!
ReplyDeleteYou have given such a beautiful voice for the subject of hate. I pray love can rise from the ashes of such a destructive emotion.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the phoenix is a mythological symbol of life renewal. An interesting poem with iconic classical references.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting poem...
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining the meanings...
a very entertaining read. loved the bit of mythology!
ReplyDeleteI love this portion...
ReplyDelete"So that he might croon
In spring flower phrase
And change the storm into a zephyr"
Hope for change...