We Sleep
Dreaming of brightness–
in parallel lines we walk silent,
our unshadowed bodies
like paper cutouts against the night sky.
In parallel lines we walk silent–
there are truths, but we prefer to bend them.
Like paper cutouts against the night sky,
we can no longer define our direction.
There are truths, but we prefer to bend them
and let them grow unattended.
We can no longer define our direction
or what we mean when we say the word “why?”
Our unshadowed bodies
stand still as the world spins onward–
we do not know where or how, but we are
dreaming of brightness.
For Sue Vincent’s photo prompt, above, and linked to dVerse Open Link Night.
Another pantoum, with some fan shaped paper I found online. Another aspect of the circle.
42 responses to “We Sleep”
Trackbacks / Pingbacks
- September 25, 2018 -
- September 27, 2018 -
- March 4, 2019 -
“There are truths, but we prefer to bend them.” This line struck me. Part of our psyche of denial and protection. Your poetry reflects on the human condition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Olga. This poem does come from many places for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knowing that you are painting in circles at the moment, just seeing the title and this small fragment of the circle come up was symbolically perfect… even without the poem. And that too is stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. As always, I will be interested to find out about the mysterious place in your photo. It is very much like a dreamscape.
LikeLike
Oddly enough, that is why I chose it. We were talking about a particular dreamscae that keeps cropping up…not just for us. I painted it long ago, and these pillars remind me of it.
LikeLike
The undercurrents that sweep us all along…
LikeLike
Indeed…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The painting makes me think of a world forest, mysterious, like the unshadowed bodies. I like this poem a lot. The walking and searching for brightness, contrasted with those shadows thrown by the stationary trees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jane. I always see echoes of trees in pillars. The photo definitely reminded me of being lost in a dreamscape.
LikeLike
I haven’t looked at Sue’s challenge for a while now. I’m writing and haven’t been taking time off to write unrelated stories. I might make an exception for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, we can’t do everything. But I would be interested to see what you make of it.
LikeLike
Looking carefully at the photo, I realise the Oracle must have chosen it. Just posted an extract from the second volume of the series I’m rewriting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her hand is everywhere…
LikeLike
Seems like it. Rather her than…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a lovely poem, I really enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Roberta.
LikeLike
I really like this pantoum. It is like a dream filled with profound truths that I can’t quite grasp. Yes, the circle, the shadows, the light coming through. . .images and words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Merril. The photo looked like a dream landscape to me, and I think the circle and repetition of the pantoum are also much like a dream. It’s telling us something, over and over in different ways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This really speaks to me – “in parallel lines we walk…”, “unshadowed bodies” – all so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. In parallel lines indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice line: “there are truths, but we prefer to bend them” I like the “preference” part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Frank.
LikeLike
So lovely. The idea of “unshadowed bodies” makes me think of the need for enlightenment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mish. I like that association–this world does need enlightenment.
LikeLike
Photo, words, and art bring to mind the light at the end of the tunnel (the final tunnel).
LikeLike
That thought occurred to me too. Thanks Ken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I know well those parallel lines… maybe there is something like be lonely in a crowd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very like.
LikeLike
Beautiful ink painting and poetry…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Evelyn.
LikeLike
Words of hope and such beautiful art making.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sharon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sleeping and dreaming bring us to another realm. Turn off the dial from reality at times to reconnect to what our mind can see beyond the physical. I love the mystical messages and art you’ve created.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rose. Dreams are mysterious, and this photo really looked like a landscape in a dream…it could go anywhere and everywhere (and of course the play of light and dark).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that was so beautifully written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Your poem is wonderful.
LikeLike