Time and Time Again (Touching Kettles)

Will I ever learn?

Time and Time Again (Touching Kettles)

Your dreachan stare

hangs among the dusty memories

that rattle round

in the  mix of concrete thinking

that accompanies my self doubt.

So many skeletal shadows

cast a gaseous haar,

a hoar frosted sea smoke

that hangs like a death pall,

a mortcloth around my still warm corpse.

Why I surrendered myself,

time and time again,

is still a gaping perplexity

upon which I often ponder.

And yet I stand here

ready to offer my breast

upon the same sacrificial alter

where I have been slain

at the hand of Delilah

time and time again.

 

28/03/15

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your linguistic nature is extraordinary, John. It draws the eye, like a moth to a flame.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I wish it were so but I am a shadow compared to my son and to real poets who have a knowledge of English language and poetry form. You are so kind though and I am so grateful.

[Matching Socks]

Some things are tough lessons to learn. Great poem, love the use of words here. Had to Google a few. :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

They are indeed Ana. Many thanks.

[ANTO]

You've learned a slew of new words that I absolutely adore John. Such words - 'dreachan' - 'haar' - 'mortcloth' - Im salivating over them. I feel like Im watching a very unique poetic butterfly emerge this Spring. Kudos my friend !!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Dreach is common parlance in Scotland Anto. My mother, although Welsh, always referred to grey, dank weather as dreach. Not sure I feel I am emerging as I slither under my rock of safety again. Many thanks dear friend.

[ANTO]

Ah ! A new never-before seen breed of butterfly then - which pupates under rocks but still emerges beautifully .
Love that word dreach - we share a lot of words the Scots and Irish and Ulster Scots but still love the Scottish patter.
Take Care John :))

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we just never learn---keep coming back for more heartache, even when we no better...we know she will once again get those scissors out and cut off our hair, take away the strength of will and deplete our heart even more than before.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I know you get it Jacob. Thanks for reading.