"Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn." ~Thomas Gray

"Poetry unites." ~Anon

"Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it." ~Emily Dickinson


Ash

Written by Joaquin Carvel
He lives in southern California, USA
His blog: Lyrics & Maladies

Ash

the fires have been
out for
months

but the santa anas
still blow,
over the black and
brittle hills,

over the stumps
and fenceposts,
frozen in scorched
and silent surrender
towards the sun.

the santa anas blow
dry and hungry
over the carcass
of the mountain,
plucked and devoured
to its secrets
and stones.

here
in the valley
we ignore
the soot of trees
and homes
and lives
that float down
and collect
in the corners.

the santa anas sweeping up,
never still,
never
sorry,
into the dustpans
of our windowsills.

Originally published on writer's personal blog.
Posted with consent of the writer.

6 Comments:

  1. Anonymous said...
    "frozen in scorched"--oh! this imagery is tantalizing--hear the poet "Never still, never sorry"--Brilliant. The kinetic nature of destruction is all too apparent in this piece. Absolutely splendid.
    Gordon Mason said...
    I like how the words are picked up by the wind.
    Anonymous said...
    I see this as I too have witnessed the santA anas.
    Catherine Vibert said...
    I used to live in Southern Ca, so I know the Santa Anas well. Your poem, Joaquin, really evoked the death and barren land left by the dreadful fires, the soot gathering in the corners... Fantastic imagery.

    Funny, the word veri is 'jackil' somehow fitting for you poem.
    WHY? said...
    This reads beautifully!
    K.Lawson Gilbert said...
    Joaquin, what you paint with words is no less brilliant than what a master artist shows us with his brushstrokes. This poem is so well crafted, and richly laden with poetic device - imagery, assonance, metaphor. I am in awe of all your work, but, this ranks among my favorites!

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