Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Shellbound




I.
I have no arms to take up
against misfortune's darts.
When waves crash,
and whirlwinds sling sharp shafts,
I etch a grim grin on my tough facade
and retreat, recoil,
shrink deep within my shell
alone with echoes of the troublesome sea,
more strident than the storms outside.
Shaken, aching,
I stir up squalls long past,
spin showers into cyclones,
and drown again,
ensnared in my own shield.


II.
The barnacle that's anchored
on the boulder's solid side
learns to weather scathing storms,
awaits the soothing tide.


And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.  Helaman 5:12

9 comments:

  1. I just loved this one - related to it, even - and take comfort in the verse.

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  2. You have a wonderful gift with words. Really like all the alliteration, and love the phrase '...drown again,
    ensnared in my own shield.'

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  3. I really enjoyed "sling sharp shafts". Very nice piece.

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  4. love them both- especially the second

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  5. Two really good pieces. Thank you.

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  6. Two poems ... each so different .. shells as safe havens, shells that smother.

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  7. In I, the feelings are raw and immediate. Well expressed. In II, so do oysters. Yum!

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  8. creative pieces.

    you know the emotions of the shell very well.
    keep us inspired.

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