The children of older vines sway across the gully.
The unbraiding strands conceal a subtle threat,
risking our ancestors, our future, on the rocks below.
These same stones shoulder the weight of our histories,
and we are inconsolable. We cannot love the past
the way we intend in this simple ritual.
The past is inconvenient, a taunt suspension
over a gorge we leap with heavier loads.
But the bridge further down
Need have no fear. It is far, far easier to cross.
The opening stanza is amazing - almost a poem by itself, Shannin. Strong. Good phrasings and imagery there. I do like - a lot - the line "These same stones shoulder the weight of our histories".
There's something incredibly unnerving about this piece, Shannin. I think I have to come back to it again later.
I agree with Sam about that opening stanza. :)
Did you mean to write a taunt suspension instead of a taut suspension - Say you did - I love it, that play on words makes the mind buzz.
Even if not, Good poem.
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