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

15 comments:

  1. 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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    1. 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.

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  2. 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

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

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

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

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

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  5. Lovely share particularly:

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

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

    Hank

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  8. 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.

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