A Thousand Prayers

by The Princess   Aug 22, 2012


''It's not the ghosts of the dead that hunt places and people, it's the ghosts of the living.''

I.

After you, fate will rise
from cups of thick coffee.

Pens will learn to write
with the practicality of lists
and the briefness of
official papers.

Stars will be still-born.

After you,
I'll lack the courage
to shift my own soils,
the strength to tear
at my own shroud
and reach you.

A grave is bound to form.

II.

let me bathe in it all, one last time;
the gentle wave in your black hair,
the yawning book between your fingers
and a red-cheeked sun hanging outside
your window.

Let me bathe in it, without time
rising up to greet me in the form
of change, as your absence arrows
across my chest.

Let your father bathe in it, too, the pretence
that years wouldn't pass without you,
that our dreams aren't earth-quaked,
shell-bombed , stabbed and blooded.

Dearest, Life yawns at us every afternoon,
and rolls its ancient eyes as we walk
the same rooms and corridors
trying to find you in all that's vapour,
light or shade.

Is this farewell?

III.

They were back in boxes.
Confusion.

They were back
in boxes.

They were back in
boxes and a thousand flags
draped upon their lifeless
bodies, a thousand prayers
wouldn't change a thing
or ease the burning
in their parents' souls.

''He's my only son... I can't find him, please...''
''... please, check the name again, there has to be a mistake...''
''He's graduation was to be today..''
''...isn't yet 16..''

They were back, still
never will warmth shoot
through their chests again
or silver-threads
bloom, someday, in their
hair.

They were back in boxes.
Pain.

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Latest Comments

  • 12 years ago

    by Faithless

    Gosh, you leave me breathless with this piece, though it's political (which isn't a surprising topic coming from you), nonetheless the descriptive words that you used really paints the painful picture unfolding each scene in stanzas. A powerful write with a message to send across.
    Excellent write my friend and congrats on the win:)

  • 12 years ago

    by Adelle

    This is Phenomenal, sad, humble, deep, awe inspiring. That is all I can say.

  • 12 years ago

    by PinkyPrincess

    Wow, I'm speechless, this poem is so touching.

    First, I love how you started this out with a quote, and how the poem was structured in three parts. The way you organized it made it more smooth and easy to read. I enjoyed that.

    I really like the simplicity in your writing, and how you are still able to show deep emotions through your words.

    The part with all the quotes by families made my eyes water. I could imagine people really asking those questions, wondering about their children/brother/sister etc who have been killed. It's so tragic :(

    I like the repetition of "they were in boxes" .. it emphasized how they are gone, and there's nothing that can be done about it...

    Really powerful poem... Great job with this, it's so sad though :(

  • 12 years ago

    by AngelDust

    This piece is nothing short of incredible. I haven't read a brilliant poem in a very long time and this tips the scale. I enjoyed the imaginary and you penned this amazingly well using fantastic descriptions and metaphores. A truly phenomenal write.

    Danika.

  • 12 years ago

    by Chelsey

    This poem is so in need of attention. More need to read this...
    Absolutely incredible.. Sad, heart touching, a poem that can truly touch heart and leave us all crying in our seats.
    Amazing use of metaphors. Loved the break down into parts. Everything about this was so worth a win to me!!!

    Congrats!!

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