Having Two Legs: Poetry

Showing posts with label Poetry. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A Prayer for Russia

By Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Our Father All-Merciful!
Don't abandon your own long-suffering Russia
In her present daze,
In her woundedness,
Impoverishment,
And confusion of spirit.
Lord Omnipotent!
Don't let, don't let her be cut short,
To no longer be.
So many forthright hearts
And so many talents
You have lodged among Russians.
Do not let them perish or sink into darkness
Without having served in Your name.
Out of the depths of Calamity
Save your disordered people.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Falling and Singing

"When I fall into the abyss, I go straight into it, head down and heels up, and I’m even pleased that I’m falling in just such a humiliating position, and for me I find it beautiful. And so in that very shame I suddenly begin a hymn."

-Fyodor Dostoevsky

HT: Remy Wilkins

Friday, May 23, 2003

Doubting Rene

I know nothing in deed and all in thought
says Descartes, without a tongue of sense
or a cheek of meaning.
No aspirated syllables or hands with fingers
to write or spell insanity in
Latin words--curses--faceless and disembodied
like smoke to meet the sky.

I'll not believe your matterless musing
until I put my hands through your side
and see your body part to my fingers.
I'll not believe until I know you've rid yourself
of skin and bones forever.

Friday, February 14, 2003

A Valentine Break-Up

It’s not too much to hope for more,
When God’s love is unending.
I’ll go in strength what e’er the chore
Though chocolate still be pending.

My love, I’ve sought to love you true.
I’ve given without taking.
Alas! My soul grows dim to you,
Unless there’s chocolate baking.

I swear with tears! No oath I void!
My agony you’re sowing!
My battered heart you've cruelly toyed!
No chocolate. So I’m going.

Saturday, February 01, 2003

Cain Shrugs

Cain shrugs his shoulders;
his name is not in vain.
The sweat that turned the bolders
no longer shines to feel the pain.

Remus should have known
his cross would bend the sky
-for all the mercy Christ was shown-
it's still the single greatest lie.

But voiceless cries the sin
from Hitler to the Flood
(unless one rose again).
Every city must be built in blood.