Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Blissful Seat












THE BLISSFUL SEAT

daylight

holds its breath


darkness

keep its secrets

still as death


creation blinks


the chuff of angel’s wing

plucks strings of song

from streaming ink


on chords of wind

glory dances in


the dying turn their faces

from the wall


they hear the call

of harp and timbrel

flute and pen

47 comments:

  1. I love the music that flows through in this! My favorite stanza, the chuff of angel's wing..., just so lyrical and beautiful. It reminded me of when my grandmother was dying, she said she heard choirs. I would turn my face from the wall too, if I heard music coming from heaven. Just lovely Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Chords of wind
    glory dances in

    This conjurs other worlds for me Karen
    Beautiful. Love this one
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  3. it feels like a moment, a glimpse captured of something that never starts and never ends.
    i wonder if we are to see the seat, and the seated, perhaps, later on, in another great poem of yours ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I hear that scratching of the ink filled quill and ever turn my head to it and the wonder of the music written here.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree with catvibe: it's the music that gets to you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "the chuff of angel’s wing

    plucks strings of song

    from streaming ink"


    That's a lovely piece of musical and figurative language. I can hear the chimes of life in those lines. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully lyrical. It was begging to be read aloud, and I obliged.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope the dying hear the music as beautiful and tender as you've described it here in your poem Karen. It's a soothing thought.

    ReplyDelete
  9. one writing, one song, to take my breath away

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm in love with "glory dances in" and it made me feel rich to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nearing The End

    There is a scratching
    at my door and light beneath
    slices my back wall
    as I lie with eyes
    tight shut against all the glare
    of your call to me
    with colors beyond
    my understanding of light.

    I am so ready.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cat - It was the chuff of angel's wings that started the whole thing. That was where I began and the one thing that had to remain in the poem. Your comment about your grandmother makes me think of my mother-in-law and the things she told me she saw that I couldn't see. She was in a different world already. I'm grateful that she shared it with me. You, too, Cat, with your grandmother. What a blessing.

    Linda - Isn't glory a glorious thing? I can't think of a more powerful word or image. Thank you, Linda! :-)

    SzelsoFa - Your comment makes me think "World without end. Amen." I think we only get glimpses of glory, so I don't know if there will be more. Maybe if I'm lucky? ;-)

    TWM - Your creative spirit heeds the call. How wonderful to live in both worlds! Thanks, my friend.

    Dave - Thank you.

    Aniket - Thanks to you, too!

    Gerry - I appreciate your comment on the specific lines.

    willow - I wonder if people think we're talking to ourselves? I love to recite poetry in the car. At least there, they think I'm on a cell phone! Thanks, Willow!

    Margaret - Thank you. I hope so, too.

    Kay - What a lovely comment! Thank you!

    Chris - Smiling, smiling! Thank you!

    Christopher - Well, I haven't inspired you for ages! I'm honored.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hear the voice and feel the touch of something greater than our small lives.

    (BTW, that picture reminds me of the Winged Nike from my Ancient Art class.)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hear the voice and feel the touch of something greater than our small lives.

    (BTW, that picture reminds me of the Winged Nike from my Ancient Art class.)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Evocative and lovely! I like the way you use such spare images in concert to produce something that feels lush, rich. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautifully said Karen...every line looks perfect.Nice read.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the chuff of angels' wings.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is gorgeous...
    "plucks strings of song

    from streaming ink"

    I'm glad to have stopped by and will, most definitely, again.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Three cheers for the paraclete timbrel and pen!
    Another little gem Karen

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is a stunner, Karen. On par with finding
    a hymn not yet sung, simply because of it's
    beauty and knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  21. jason - Yes, that's Winged Victory of Samathrace (aka Nike). It's my favorite thing in the Louvre. Isn't she "glorious"?

    Paul - Thank you!

    swapnap - Thank you for your comment.

    poemblaze - Welcome, and thanks!

    Teressa - I'm glad you stopped by, too. It's nice to make new friends! :-)

    rallentanda - Thanks!

    Cynthia - What a very nice thing to say! Thans you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! I'll need to come back and read this again.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I like "darkness keeps its secrets..." (alluding to your own self, here?) Then again, I always go for the dark stuff.

    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  24. Stunning. The imagery is vivid, lyrical and rendered with a delicate touch. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This poem resonates with the lyrical qualities that move us from one life form to another. Beautiful, Karen!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ahh, very nice... I like the subtle rhymes going on here. And as always, your choice of imagery astounds. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Kat - The darkness, yes, in contrast to what happens once creation blinks: Glory!

    Tumblewords - Thank you so much.

    Jeanne Iris - Thank you!

    Joseph - Thanks for your very nice comment.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Every time I read here, I hear (and feel) the call of harp and timbrel, flute and pen. Beautiful work, Karen! I agree with everyone about the music. The poem is lyrical and flows like the notes of a harp. I love glory dancing in on chords of wind and "the dying turn their faces/ from the wall." The first stanza is also fantastic. Having "daylight" on the first line is excellent. Then after the wonderful slow pause, I can literally hear the last breaths.

    The poem fills me with a beautiful hope that the last moments will not be filled with pain...only music. Thank you, sis! You always make my day so bright!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Interesting the "chuff of angel's wing" was the starting point--it is a very strong moment; but I like the quiet build up of the few previous lines--they make an excellent "prelude" to the music that follows.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Gorgeous. So very simple and eloquent.

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is very beautiful, calming and spiritual. V Nice

    ReplyDelete
  32. Love the line; "the chuff of angel's wing".. it's perfect!.. beautiful and quieting poem :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Really enjoyed this - gentle and positive and delicate. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  34. the chuff of angel’s wing

    plucks strings of song

    That's terrific

    ReplyDelete
  35. Lyrical, beautiful and especially musical - form and content so well intertwined.
    And the sense of the numinous is conjured in your words, for me. Great, spare writing, utterly precise yet opening worlds. Really like it!

    ReplyDelete
  36. wings, strings, song, streaming...

    Beautifully lyrical

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lyrical, with classical lines that lift it up into the poetic rafters! Another great one from a great poet!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Julie - Thank you for reading so closely and for the many very flattering words of praise. I've always said you're the best poet-cheerleader I know! The truth is, I look forward to your comments because I know you do read deeply and you always take the time to be specific in your feedback. I appreciate it greatly, Julie.

    John - I appreciate the comment on the prelude. I don't know enough about music to continue the metaphor here, but for me, even though the angel's wing was the beginning idea, "creation blinks" is the important part. Thanks for commenting on the build.

    NanU - Thanks!

    Niamh B - Thank you!

    Watercats - Thank you, friends! :-)

    Moira - Thanks.

    Pure Fiction - Thank you.

    Emerging Writer - Thanks! (Love your blog name, by the way...aren't we all?)

    Titus - Thank you for your very kind comments, especially about the spirituality. I hope the picture is one of beauty and comfort.

    Peter - Welcome, and thank you.

    K - :-) :-) :-) Thank you, poet friend of my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love how death overlaps with creation here, Karen. How music dances with ink to write the next chapter of existence. Creation blinks is the gorgeous push that swings a most resonant bell. This poem has wings.

    On a personal note, these lines--
    the dying turn their faces
    from the wall


    struck me deeply. I have read this many times in the last week. And while I often have more doubt than faith, I didn't feel like that while reading these beautiful words of hope and renewal. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Phew made it! The bus broke down outside macDonald's and I ran the last couple of blocks, not easy for an old fat man. Worth the effort though, some delicate porcelein in the lines like the beauty of 'the chuff of an angel's wing' Ooosha Bonga!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Fabulous!
    "the chuff of angel’s wing
    plucks strings of song
    from streaming ink". These lines lingering!

    ReplyDelete
  42. this one had me holding my breath too. i love "creation blinks" - the depth of that pause - and the steady rise of music that follows. and i think the title gives the poem a brilliant twist - beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sarah - Your words touch me deeply, especially with your personal situation right now. I hope, too, Sarah, and I can't help but believe. I wish you that comfort.

    TFE - You make me laugh every time!! I'm glad you made it. It's worth the wait just to try to figure out "Oosha Bonga!" :-D

    Tamarind - Thank you much!

    joaquin - I don't think anyone else remarked on the title. Titles are, for me, really hard, and while I didn't want this to be about Milton or even reminiscent of him, I like that line and think it fits my idea here. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  44. What a nice flow this poem has, rich and evocative. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete