The Damascus Road

I. On the Damascus Road, Saul approached,
unknowing, a newly formed heart. The
sand was too numerous to count, like sects
forming on every corner.

II. What is ancient now was once given
a name as though it sprang forward from
nothing. The city grew like a child that
would stand later, before you: a man
with a secular beard. Unafraid of death
and the darkness of nothing beside it.

III. Beside the Damascus Road, a river
carries refuse toward the sea. A man, once
pointed from a bridge & tried to name each
tree. The sun of an afternoon was caught
on 8mm film as he smiled with pride for his
ancient country. He spoke,

IV. but my only method for understanding
was to read his words in my tongue typed
in white and scrolling below him.

V. Who can say but him what he meant-
smiling, his teeth tapping out the names
of trees shadowing the water.

VI. Outside the city, a group of children,
un-accounted have become elusive as trees
in the battered breast of Aleppo.
They were named, once

VII. maybe something that resembled
the beauty of an ancient map drawn-long
with feather and calligraphy. Drawn- long
like days which have pulled the children
North to a place they may not settle

VIII. into. To a place named in temporary
grandeur, something green and tall, and
easy to clear

IX. cut. And clean of all names as though,
human hands could be spun from flesh to
sand to river &

X. wash away

Author's Note

2016

Reviews

[CD Campbell]

I like this one. I feel this tickle of growing energy in a storm cloud while I read each numbered stream of thought. On rereading each stanza (or numbered section?) there is this sharp burr digging into my skin on why there is such an attachment to names. We have this desire to run away to the undiscovered country, to be nowhere in Neverland, and the first thing a human being is capable of is to label and judge. I guess that's what separates us from the animal. Whizbang prose. Feels artsy. Would love to see any changes. Have a great Sunday, Eilis.

[Eilis]

Whizbang, is excellent, haha. High compliment indeed. Thanks, CD. If you have any insights or suggestions regarding potential areas for revision I’m not averse to hearing that kind of stuff. I’ve had a hard time seeing past the conception of this one.

The naming/renaming/name erasing thing is so important to human culture. It’s so easy to dehumanize people when they don’t have names or when we refuse them the dignity of using them. That and it’s so easy to make ourselves feel better when we dress things up with names. I’m just trying to reach a place where the humanity of all people is solidified in the poem through a recognition that we have often tried to take that quality away. Hmm, that’s probably asking too much.

Anyway. Appreciate your comments, always. Thanks for saying something on this one in particular.

Hope your day was great too.

[Beccy]

The book of Isaiah commands those living in rebellion against God to wash themselves clean; remove the evil of their deeds and cease to do evil, and thus by doing so, they will be cleansed of their sins. I am a Christian, but I think that is now little more than fancy.

This is a sweeping poem that spans the ages; and for me personally, though there are beacons of light in this unequal world, it is a cutting indictment of our species disregard for the dignity and rights of others.

I wrote a poem a while back called 'another day at the office.' If things are to get better, that is the mindset we much change, as those who turn their backs, are as guilty as those who wield the knife.

Beccy.

PS. Agree with barleygirl. The enjambment works really well here.

[Eilis]

Thank you, Beccy. I especially love your first paragraph. It seems that struggle to throw off those things that impede our ability to serve and love as we should are as old as recorded history. It’s hard to throw off the shackles of self-preservation and self-advancement. But not doing so leads over and over to these senseless abuses of human beings.

Makes me sad indeed. I appreciate your thoughtful comments on both the content and the format. I’m going to look for that poem you mentioned on your page.

Appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts on this one.

[barleygirl]

You are the ONLY Poet I've read here that uses enjambment so purposefully & I love how you do that. This poem takes that skill to the limit, especially toward the end. I don't know much about Syria except for the BS we are fed via the media. I am completely ashamed of the way the USA has only pretended to care about Syria when it suits some big-shot's political purposes. I often ponder how it must be to live in this place, torn apart by the selfish goals of so many powerful factions. You come the closest I've seen to presenting a believable scene to weave the natural beauty of the place & the culture, along with the sad reality of recent years (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie

[Eilis]

Enjambment is my thing. It really annoys some people, but I find it to be such a useful tool in my poetry toolbox. Thank you for recognizing that and commenting on how it impacted the poem. That was very important to me in this one.

I have written several poems about Syria. It’s a horrible reality for so many, but there are so many other situations too where people’s lives are shattered by the place they live in. I can’t imagine not being able to feel safe in my own home.

Thanks for your kind words on this, Margie. This poem is my baby, I’ve been working on it for a few years. It’s nice to hear that my message transfers and it’s not too abstract. Thanks again.

[kentuck14]

Naming is an important concept in the Biblical world. It describes one's place in the world, almost a prophesy of where that life will go. Being named gives meaning to one's life, and we as humans carry on the work of naming. It began in the Biblical narrative with God giving Adam (man) the authority to name the animals . . . giving them their particular role on earth. Naming indicates the recognition of worth in all things. Notice that real science names things which have not yet been recognized. By naming we bring things into the reality which, I believe, God has created.
In reference to the Damascus Road story . . . Saul is forced to recognize and bend to reality. Notice he is named by the blinding light, "Saul, Saul . . . " Here, God is acknowledging Saul's worth . . . even before he begins his new life and mission. Saul, without knowing it, acknowledges the voice with "Lord". It is the beginning of reality for Saul, who soon receives the new name, Paul.

Your poem is interesting and as usual filled with mystery. For me . . . the reference to "sand" seems to go back to the renaming of Abram to Abraham and the father of faith in Yahweh . . . a faith that will lead to diversity of Christian doctrine, which is totally man's way of 'naming' without being given the authority to do so. Oh, and the city . . . always a symbol of man's rebellion and going its own way . . . trying to lesson death's sting by refusing to see that death is just a gateway. The river of refuse: Or perhaps, The River of Refusing" to acknowledge reality as it is. All our detritus flowing into a sea of trouble (for the Hebrews the sea symbolized chaos, as they were not a sea going people.) The man on the bridge is post modern man trying to rename the world . . . but only adding confusion in the mix. Perhaps the children outside the city are those who will attempt at bring man back under the authority of God? A new generation. These old maps of the world drawn long . . . a thing of beauty, but untrue in their description of reality, pulling these children but not fooling them into a false sense of meaning . . . only a "temporary grandeur!" "Easy to clear." The Truth will set us free from illusion. The work of man's mind and hands will be washed away and new names will grow from the newly cleared ground.

E, this is my interpretation of your piece. It comes from A Christian world-view. Perhaps it's not your meaning, but it seems to be mine. Thanks for an interesting poem and the opportunity to review.
T

[Eilis]

Tom, this review is a gift. I feel a bit speechless. I don’t really care right now what my poem’s meaning is because what you’ve just shared is extremely deep and meaningful. The thought you put into this and your general knowledge/understanding are much appreciated by me.

Thank you very much for taking the time to share this with me. It is wonderful to read, and full of a lot of highlights which may very well find me writing another poem or series of poems about the topic of naming and identity.

Thank you again.

[kentuck14]

I sure hope to them!

[gram linski]

A poem of epic proportions, the biblical references with 8mm film, I loved the style and the naming of trees, children, almost like a short play,

[Eilis]

Many thanks. This is one I've been working on for a couple of years. Still feel like it's in process, but wanted to get it out there and see what it said to anyone else.

Good feedback from you--appreciated.