UNKNOWN TO MAN
The church where raucous rooks proclaim
the scene surveyed by mournful eyes,
with watery sun on frost glazed slates
as winter fans its gaping maw.
Midst lancing slits of piercing light
and sharpened blades of frosted sward
where ghosts and ghouls and spectres haunt
a mattock lies near fresh dug land.
Interred beneath the stones of death
a deep and darkened resting place,
as parchment sealed with sealing wax
her secrets still unknown to man.
First proclaimed by hue and cry
and now the lonely scaffold stained
with blood which streamed
in innocence a soul now lost.
Across the square of cobbled stone
her fate discussed in taverns deep
by men who wear a different hood
and spurn the kiss of grace.
-
Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: December 30th, 2024 02:44
- Comment from author about the poem: I love abstract art which makes you think and isn’t laid out on the plate of realism and so, for me, it is with poetry – this poem is intended to paint a picture and it’s left to the reader to interpret it as he or she feels fit – let me know what you think.
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- Views: 17
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange, Cheeky Missy
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Comments8
I see the many side of what a church can mean to each individual, after all they don't just represent death they represent life. I'm not religious in anyway, so that's what I see, so very beautifully done. 🌹
Wonderful snow art too. Very pretty and serene ❤️
Good write and pic M. This partly (or entirely maybe) speaks to me of the church. I am currently reading of The Salvation Army and its formation. One thing was they didn't agree with the 'rich' in churches, including pew rents. Though the Army does not have Holy Communion / Eucharist which I disagree with. Jesus even says to remember Him in taking bread and wine in Communion, which can be informally at a shared Christian meal too, as it was originally so. They became fanatical over alcohol abuse, and so the Communion wine. Yet some places changed the wine for coloured water, I read. A super organisation doing much good, I say - but not perfect - but who is perfect? End of discourse!
😲he speaks! 🙃and at length, mind you 🤩
Yes I have a lot of respect for the SA even though I have no truck with their basic premise. Thanks O
I see the death of a witch and the relief of the men, that they avoided her curse, very enjoyable read.
I never had a witch in mind when I wrote it but rather a lady wrongly accused whilst the Farages in the tavern drink to her death. Its all for the sake of poetry = in those days would someone guilotined be buried in a church yard? I am more interested in the use of language than factual reality and painting a picture with words to allow others to interpret it how they wish and I've not been dissappointed - pleased you liked it.
You are very welcome
Masterfully worded in a classic form it beats with the rhythm of a heart beat and flows in a thick rolling viscosity like honey toward the edge of the bread. It ends in mystery that feels dark yet enticing. I deem this a true masterpiece and work of art.
You are too kind - this is the type of poetry I've written in the past - I hate the 'woe is me' style used by many poets here - I like poetry that hints at a story line - so much more interesting.
Wow, Michael. This is, indeed, art. This poem speaks worlds to me for a number of reasons I won’t get into here, but let’s just say that I am deeply moved by this poem and this tale. For me, as a person of faith, I see something deeply unsettling (like a dimly lit mirror) and yet, profoundly liberating and healing if one heeds the warning.
Slight background. My faith journey has weaved both within and outside of the church/Christianity. I have seen the beauty of the church and all the good it can do; I have also witnessed and (truthfully) have experienced the ugliness that can come out of it. In fact, for some, the church has down right been an institution of horror.
This, for me, paints a scene of what I imagine to be a witch execution. It doesn’t have to be a witch execution, but that is the scene I envision when reading this. I need not get into the history of how the church spread a holocaust of horror against women, dissidents, Jews, Muslims, and anyone that basically stood in the way. We’d like to think that was just a few corrupt church leaders but, as Robert Eggers’ film The Witch artistically shows, the truth is far more convoluted than that.
The fact is people bought into those ideas of witchcraft, sorcery, devilry and scapegoating others, in spite of what Jesus Christ himself taught and said on violence and judgment. As an American, I need look no further than the Salem Witch Trials to see how common, “good” people can become murderous devils.
Truthfully, religion, itself is not the culprit; rather, it becomes the tool through which both human good and human evil can be perpetrated. Take religion out of it and the potential still exists and comes to fruition. People scapegoating other people for their own gain (financial, real estate, faux security or otherwise).
So, truthfully, my interpretation goes far beyond just religion and even the legal justice system. Those are the vehicles through which the moral is weaved. I believe, "her fate discussed in taverns deep", speaks to a deeper truth where there is a horrific interplay between those in power and those who keep them there. For me, this tale cautions us against our very human nature to let fear and/or power pervert us from angels into demons. All, the same, Michael. This is a work of art and I humbly bow to you, dear poet and artist! 🌹👏
Wow what a fabulous response - thank you so much. If you will forgive me I'll paste below a reply to Toban above which throws just a little more light on my thinking when writing this:
I never had a witch in mind when I wrote it but rather a lady wrongly accused whilst the Farages in the tavern drink to her death. Its all for the sake of poetry = in those days would someone guilotined be buried in a church yard? I am more interested in the use of language than factual reality and I love painting a picture with words to allow others to interpret it how they wish and I've not been dissappointed - pleased you liked it.
No worries about pasting...I do it too. Much better than retyping the same exact thing! Indeed, as I read I realized I might be reading the "witch" part into it, given my eclectic religious/spiritual background. Still, the interplay between those in power and those who keep them there (the "Farages in the tavern drink" and others) is strongly at display in this wonderful poem, my friend. I am glad the interpretations have not disappointed! 🥰 I am always excited by various interpretations of my poems too. Anyway, a very Happy New Year to you, Michael! 🥳
ns a great new year to you as well keep writing.
Will do, my friend!
I think we be agreed! From melting clocks to mind bending polygonal shapes we communicate rather creatively. And that is probably a better thing than not.
Ah noew melting clocks - one of my favourite artists - I've spent hours in his museum in Figueres - thanks arquis.
Wonderful words Michael, so many thoughts come to mind and as with abstract art, which I also love, it can take you to so many places of which each inidivual becomes aware, I can see myself walking through a graveyard talking to all who are within their graves.
Andy
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