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.
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20 comments:

  1. JofIndiaAugust 23, 2011 at 11:03 AM

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

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  2. lynnmosherAugust 23, 2011 at 11:04 AM

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

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  3. MaureenAugust 23, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    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.

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  4. TashtooAugust 23, 2011 at 11:23 AM

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

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  5. Valerie KamikuboAugust 23, 2011 at 12:03 PM

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

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  6. Brian MillerAugust 23, 2011 at 12:28 PM

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

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  7. Laurie KolpAugust 23, 2011 at 2:32 PM

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

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

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  8. hedgewitchAugust 23, 2011 at 2:58 PM

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

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  9. Pat HattAugust 23, 2011 at 3:26 PM

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

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  10. ayalaAugust 23, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    love the repetition, lovely write.

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  11. S. EtoleAugust 23, 2011 at 3:58 PM

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

    Beautiful.

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  12. UnknownAugust 23, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Beautiful...just beautiful...

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  13. ScarletAugust 23, 2011 at 8:21 PM

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

    Very nice poem ~

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  14. UnknownAugust 23, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    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...

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  15. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    love the form and pic

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  16. ConnieAugust 23, 2011 at 9:56 PM

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

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  17. BeachannyAugust 23, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    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.

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  18. Rosemary Nissen-WadeAugust 24, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    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.

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  19. UnknownAugust 24, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    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

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  20. Karen Kyle EricsonAugust 24, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    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.

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