A Transcendental Whirl

 
 
Each vignette begins with a phrase culled from “Threnody” by the 19th-century Transcendentalist, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
 

 
~~ 1 ~~
 
nest of bending reeds
near the shore a secret place—
great blue herons hide
 
~~ 2 ~~
 
grass and scented weeds
cradling the children’s laughter
autumn afternoons
 
~~ 3 ~~
 
blade of autumn grain
stranger to distressing drought
welcoming the scythe
 
~~ 4 ~~
 
the wintry garden
holding carrots prisoner
till spring thaws should come
 
~~ 5 ~~
 
every pulsing sound
every thing that does not shine
pointing out the way
 
~~ 6 ~~
 
The stream runs on, but
one diamond is left behind—
rearguard for the light.
 
~~ 7 ~~
 
in books of solace
seeking her long-lost childhood
rhyme by tinkling rhyme
 
~~ 8 ~~
 
see my empty house
the shutters’ crazy angles
all the doors ajar
 
~~ 9 ~~
 
star by star his world
resolving into shadow
as each star blinks out
 
~~ 10 ~~
 
to make this wisdom
demands a seer acquainted
with the ways of stones
 
~~ 11 ~~
 
They cannot bind him,
though their bands be made of steel,
forged by elven hands.
 
~~ 12 ~~
 
spirit strikes the hour
martyr chained by faith and doubt
crackles in the flames

 
© 2014 by Magical Mystical Teacher
 
 
More Poetry Pantry #223
 
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 183