Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Almost Heaven


















Almost Heaven

Leave me on the hill,
for I have seen the
great waves heave and fall,
pulling all beneath their salty grasp.
Let the briney deep
keep her crusted treasure
whose sightless eyes she hides.

The earth abides.

The rising hills
thrill me with their call.
All that I am belongs
in the song of wind
on tree and leaf.
Grief does not bear
with me there.

When I am dead,
I pray you, softly
lay my head upon
the piney floor in sight
of heaven's door.

Or what's a mountain for?

Location:West Virginia
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15 comments:

  1. The UnknowngnomeAugust 8, 2012 at 5:34 AM

    Lyrical and lovely!

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  2. the walking manAugust 8, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Having been upon the back of both heaving seas and rising mountains, I too found steadier footing in those hill of Appalachia. The folk are nicer too. may your final desire be yours to own Karen.

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    Replies
    1. KarenAugust 10, 2012 at 5:40 AM

      No matter how far away I wander, the hills call to me. It's funny, but as a youth, I just wanted to get away from here. Full circle.

      Delete
  3. Far Beyond The RidgeAugust 8, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    There's never a word out of place with you. Never a stumble.
    And the earth abides for a pause, was perfect.
    I have no argument, simply admiration.
    Rick

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KarenAugust 10, 2012 at 5:41 AM

      Too generous as always, Rick! Thank you, dear wanderer.

      Delete
  4. WASAugust 8, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Wow! How mellifluously you've made flesh dissolve in sea, and spirit lift in mountain wind.

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    Replies
    1. KarenAugust 10, 2012 at 5:44 AM

      "Mellifluous" -- a favorite word of mine! Thank you, and welcome to the mountains!

      Delete
  5. The BugAugust 8, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    I love love love this! And not just because I totally agree with it. :)

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  6. ScarletAugust 14, 2012 at 10:02 AM

    Lovely share particularly:

    All that I am belongs
    in the song of wind
    on tree and leaf.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SusanAugust 14, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    Amen. Very moving! A mountain is for all of this and more!
    There's a similar feeling to a tiny haiku on my blog: http://susanspoetry.blogspot.com/2012/08/soul.html

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  8. kaykualaAugust 15, 2012 at 5:57 AM

    I would certainly feel safer in the hills than in the water. Agreed Karen! Nice write!

    Hank

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  9. gabrielleAugust 16, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    Having lived on both coasts, I now have learned what shelter is. (I followed an early vision and settled in the heartland.) The earth abides. Gorgeous writing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SzélsőFaAugust 19, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    it rings within me - wonderful.

    ReplyDelete

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