Sunday, February 6, 2011

Limping Eagle


It was either custodial
or cathedral.
I entered in with my
spirit bound.
It was freedom that echoed
off the clapboard.
It was splinters that entered
my meniscus.
I cried as exit wounds
revealed an inner light.
For moments I laid there
in the neutral zone.
The Great Spirit came
and I wrestled with the
infused refracted light.
I knew I couldn’t win.
I really didn’t want to.
From some skin deep,
soul deep place I wrested.
It was not the Spirit.
It was myself that I overtook.
It was my stubborn
reflexive pronoun.
I rose in sweat to see
the night swirling,
splashed with colors
replenished by God.
I limped to the window
to look on the glow
of freedom and
thanked God I wasn’t alone.

Just a note:  Sean McCormick, the photoghapher took this shot in Alberta, Canada, in an area called the Nuetrals.  It's a prairie between two ranges where, centuries ago, different tribes hunted and weren't allow to go to war.  This photo is copied with permission for One Shoot Sunday.


10 comments:

  1. "It was my stubborn / reflexive pronoun" Such a telling line linguistically, philosophically, and on in the personal way of the speaker. Deep poem, Jerry. Great challenge response!

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  2. It's Jacob wrestling with the angel, wrestling with himself. When the wrestling is done, Jacob has a new name.

    Wonderful poem, Jerry.

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  3. Can God misplace things? I wonder...

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  4. A feeling of spirituality that is not reduced to any one religion, a dream quest, and the surrender of self. A fine piece of writing, Jerry. I liked "For moments I laid there
    in the neutral zone..." and the whole concept of wrestling with the light.

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  5. under Fireblossom's comment I am gonna edit that phrase...God doesn't misplace things.

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  6. eh but you know jerry...it can feel that way so i dont see the line as bad...its just our projection on him...i know the wrestling match though...

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  7. I cried as exit wounds
    revealed an inner light.

    this two lines really grabbed me Jerry ...almost a dark night of the soul that needs it know itself to reveal that inner light...thank you...bkm

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  8. It was myself that I overtook.
    It was my stubborn
    reflexive pronoun.


    Aye ain't it the truth?

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  9. wow jerry this was deep - loved it

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  10. This piece really brought out wondrous works from everyone. Sorry I didn't read it Sunday. I like the spiritual awakening throughout as though the world had been repainted with a different palette. Well done, Gay @beachanny

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