Thursday, June 03, 2010

Daring Heaven

If I dared to burn I wouldn't be a candle.
A forest full of living flame,
a sun holding planets in close embrace—
distant races would feel my glow and populate their skies
with monsters and heroes.

If I dared to weep I wouldn't be a raindrop.
I'd be typhoon-thrashed oceans of salt,
I'd be the Milky Way falling endlessly over dark-matter cliffs
only to be swallowed by hungry black holes
at the heart of the universe.

Dare to be stone. No pebble to be kicked
but a frowning mountain, aerie of eagles. Dare
to be the Perseids, streaking the nights of August
with burning dust. Dare to be Mercury in the arms
of Sol; Pluto in the arms of darkness.

If I dared to be dust I would be the birthplace of stars.
If I dared to love, Beloved
what could we be?

--for Big Tent's "dare" prompt.
Collection available! Knocking from Inside

16 comments:

Ruth said...

This is wonderful.

brenda w said...

What could we be indeed? Everything that led to that question, led to that question. There is an almost natural progression to this piece. I love it!

Anonymous said...

That's the stuff. Think big!

ViV

nan said...

I like the structure and energy of this poem. Very nice!

Stan Ski said...

Aim high and anything's possible.

Mary said...

Just lovely. So many things one can aim for if one things large rathet than small.

http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/06/tauranga-jet-boat-ride.html

Anonymous said...

tiel -- this is my favorite tiel poem, i think! the magnitude of everything you mention here is so aptly written. i love it from its beginning (a sun holding planets in close embrace) to its end (that lovely last stanza)!

Anonymous said...

The parallel structure of each stanza works so well. The images are strong and vivid and the writing is beautiful,


Linda Frances

Diane T said...

Brilliant! Seriously!

Tumblewords: said...

Wonderfully visual and strong! Daring, indeed.

Unknown said...

Wow. I had to stop at "If I dared to weep I wouldn't be a raindrop./I'd be typhoon-thrashed oceans of salt," and catch my breath. But, you made me braver in the next stanza, as I became a mountain in your dare. But, oh, who could match you in your love? You've set very high standards, at least poetically, Tiel. Memorable.

http://lindagoin.com/

Deb said...

Beautiful, yes, and my favorite:
"If I dared to be dust I would be the birthplace of stars." Love how the humble can give place to ethereal.

Susuu Amina said...

I love it

Pam Olson said...

As usual, Tiel, I am in awe of your writing. You carried me far in this poem and I certainly wanted to travel on these paths.

Anonymous said...

That's a fearful love to contemplate

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Fantastic poem! I love this.