This is an old feeling,
standing by this evening’s field,
these dark rags hanging, strung on wire,
beaks silent and unmoving under a stretched sky.
So which lore or gods apply?
Would it help to free your feathers,
wake thought and memory in cold skulls,
wear a black cape in silhouetted brotherhood?
Should I take up your work?
Am I a familiar to a Norse god,
with spying eyes in new watching brief;
become his ears in Midgard?
Should I kneel before a once and future King?
Does a messiah hang in this unkindness?
Have I witnessed the end of hope
for an ancient island people?
Should I fly the field, proclaim the news,
take up your role of fate carrier,
become the Mór-Ríoghain’s latest messenger
and find a song that sings of coming conflict?
Or is the battle already lost, our colours down,
and what’s required this late spring evening is
to take my knapsack, flask and tools
and tell the farmer this work is done?
You can read more of Jonathan’s work here.
Exquisite work. I love how you used mythology. I’ve always found legends, epics, fables and folktales interesting.
You’re such a talented and educated writer, Jonathan. I’m thrilled to see you again at MP and hope to see you more in the future.
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Thank you.
🙂
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Absolutely beautiful
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This is really wonderful. I love the way you wove all these elements together so seamlessly.
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A fine poem which, to me, questions our insistence on greater powers. I see a crow, perched high – an observer of our futility.
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You never fail to take my breath away, Jonathan! Even though there is an intellectual quality to your poetry, I also always read it physically, feel the stillness in it, the weight. So Gorgeous!!!
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Thanks Susan. Only just realised this was up here. 🙂
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What’s a Guest Feature?
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Sb who’s a guest, not a regular member.
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oh.
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Oh how lovely. I had no idea this was up here already. Thanks all the guys at Morality Park. Thanks too for all the supportive comments. Sooo pleased to be back up on your brilliant site 🙂
Cheers
Jonathan
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You’re welcome, Jonathan. The pleasure’s all ours.
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