Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Vespers


Time of lengthening shadows,
shadows encasing memory
of the day, day is done,
done is the day’s work, work
arrives at its appointed end,
end of the day brings
the beginning of rest,
rest in the solitude of prayer,
prayer before approaching
the table to eat, eat the words
offered upward, upward moves
the heart and spirit, spirit
arrives at the destined time,
time of lengthening shadows.

This poem is submitted for Open Mike Night at dVerse Poets. To see more poems, please visit dVerse Poets. The links will be live at 2 p.m. Central time today.

Photograph: Church Silhouette by Vera Kratochvil via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

20 comments:

JofIndia said...

The rhythmic linking of your poem's lines seem to reflect the gentle bonds which join the liturgies of the hours..

lynnmosher said...

Ooo...loved this, Glynn! The mind of a poet always amazes me! Blessings for a continued amazing mind!

Maureen said...

And so we come to evensong.

Your "spirit / arrives at the destined time" stands out for me, signifying both its counted-on presence and our confidence in knowing we'll find its consolation at the appointed hour.

Tashtoo said...

Fantastic write! love the word play and repetition throughout, lending strength and drama to the piece. And the photo is stunning!

Valerie Kamikubo said...

I so love Evenprayer and Compline. This poem works for either... very beautiful, Glynn.

Brian Miller said...

nice...the wrap of your words one line to the next is very effective in this glynn...soothing and meditative..very nicely done...

Laurie Kolp said...

I agree with all that's been said so far... a beautiful celebration, indeed!

http://lkkolp.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/pow/

hedgewitch said...

The chained words and domino-effect repetition work well here to replicate the power(and seductive beauty) of ritual.

Pat Hatt said...

Love how you played the same word off of one another. Wonderful write, as always!

ayala said...

love the repetition, lovely write.

S. Etole said...

As I read, I wanted to say what J. said, but I didn't know how.

Beautiful.

Unknown said...

Beautiful...just beautiful...

Scarlet said...

It was like each word was connected in a chain of the day and night.

Very nice poem ~

Unknown said...

Beautifully hushed Glynn! Not sure what this kind of poem is called, but I love the way the words seep into the next line as if winding a blanket around the reader before rest. Lovely...

Anonymous said...

love the form and pic

Connie said...

Phrase ending/beginnings made me ponder and pause...love the feel of this and the exquisite image match.

Beachanny said...

Glynn, loved the form you create here, the repetition of a word at the end of a thought and starting the next gives this flow, rhythm and a sort of looping rhyme bring everything round right! Excellent.

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

Sweet! I have played in the past with something similar to this. I think you've done it beautifully. A lovely feeling of peace pervades this poem.

Unknown said...

Really well done with the loop effect of your refrain, I also felt this spoke to the dogma routine that can actually take us out of our own existence. Well written piece ~ Rose

Karen Kyle Ericson said...

So beautiful and reverent. I've never been around or experienced quiet prayer like this. It must be so amazing. Maybe I can try this.