Rise

By Silver Spun Sand

Thu, 29 May 2014
  • 1975 reads
8 comments
 
‘Leaving behind nights of terror, and fear,
I rise, into a daybreak that’s wonderfully clear, I rise...’
Maya Angelou
 
I remember when I brought you home
from the nursery; such high hopes, I had of you.
 
I recall it was early spring, and I told you, in no 
uncertain terms, what I expected. Grow, I said.
Please, grow. 
 
I got down on my knees – the soil, warm, even 
through my jeans, and I got to thinking you’d had
the very best start you could get, all things being equal.
 
Still on my knees I promised to nurture you...feed you,
give you a drink when thirsty, although I had heard...
too much isn’t good.
 
Rain-water it would be. I’d collect it in a rain-butt – 
cross my heart; the hose coiled like a cobra,
ready to strike but, not to worry, I wouldn’t
give it leave to.
 
But, for all this, you disappointed me;
not one bonny, black-eyed face rewarded me, 
the whole summer through.
 
Instead, you chose to bloom in a place
of your own choosing; not of mine...
 
Amidst the shingle, and the shale
where other kindred seeds blithely fell;
where nothing else could survive,
you sprung alive.
 
Bending with the wind, a barbed wire fence,
no deterrent – still you multiplied 
in scarlet splendour saying, No, indeed,
to oppression. Yes– to freedom.
 
And now, as those who fell in the flowery fields
of Flanders – in the desert of the Samarkand
 at the hand of rebels;
 
those who were shot down by words...stifled
by prejudice and ignorance...even though
your past is rooted in pain
 
when the east wind blows cold, 
and you are called to rest, I will tell you,
Sleep, until it’s your time, like dust, like air,
to rise again.
 
 
Certificate PG
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

And there she goes rising, Tina. I love your tribute - very fitting and also, beautiful. 

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thank you, Bee.

Tina

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Maya Angelou wrote of hope in her poem Rise.  So like her poem you also speak of hope too,  not always as we expect,  but it's always there welcoming us to a brand new day.  From every tradgedy comes good...even though it feels like there's no hope at all.

Your words speak volumes,  thank you for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Jenny - you are so right about that poem...and your interpretation of it.  Thank you, so very much.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Sorry it's me again. It's one of my favourite pieces too. Even better to hear / see her perform it on YouTube. Really wonderful. 

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Bee, so glad you popped by again to tell me that.  Her performances were always superlative, in so many different ways, and this one, no exception.

Hope you have a sunny day.

Tinasmiley

 

Submitted by lisa h on

What a beautiful tribute. You've done Maya proud. This is one that's going to stick with me a while. x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Lisa - always so special to hear from you.  Thanks for reading, and for your words.  They are more than appreciated.

Tina smileyx