when blackthorn’s dressed in lace

· by · in poetry, rhymes. ·


when sooty wings obscure the sky
as croaking rooks my blood is black
when blotchy headlines tell the lies
of shadows and unknown attack

what once was growing hope is dead
as marching boots now syncopate
we should be sharing neighbor’s bread
instead with whitened knuckles – hate!

as dreaded thickets stretch their limbs
its vines entangle – suck all air
in acid tears my vision swims
as snakes are nesting in my hair

but as the blackthorn’s dressed in lace
I find some hope and dance again
cause in the bramble there is grace
a sunshine breeze unlocks my chains

plattan
—
May 10, 2014

35 responses to “when blackthorn’s dressed in lace”

  3. I don’t know if it’s because we have finally come to the end of a long, dark winter – or the (really disturbing) headlines of late – or both, but I find myself, retreating to nature every chance I get, these days. It soothes the angst. Your words, an eloquent expression of that quest for peace, I thought.

  5. Your poem made me think of the situation in Ukraine and its frightening possible developments. Nature does provide a safe and peaceful haven. I suppose we need to see the beauty of the world to realize the value of what we have and, hopefully, keep catastrophes at bay.

  6. A sad song Björn of the black that would drag us under. Oh so glad am I that the beauty of nature often rescues a world-weary mind.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Anna :o]

  7. dunno but that made me think of the ukraine and what’s going on there right now… i hope there will be a time for them to dance again…

  9. Hate is paramount… and we have to look for the tiniest bit of peace here and around. Every friendly nod, every ray of sun and the brief spell of cold wind in these hot summer days… certainly give a respite from the boiling rage in this world.
    Beautifully penned. 🙂
    -HA

  11. This is a strong poem of today’s world as it is, unfortunately. Unfortunately those marching boots seem to be heard louder and louder…if only bread were shared by all instead. I like the hopeful ending of your poem & the ability to dance.

  12. I like the bit of sunshine in the end ~ So much violence and hate in the world right now its depressing to read the news ~ I like the idea of sharing bread with the neighbors ~

    Strong write here Bjorn ~ Happy week to you ~

  13. Now, I want to know if it is black lace – like chantilly, with all the romantic connotations that brings along …

  14. Hauntingly beautiful–both the images of despair and the lace of grace. Thank you! I looked up Blackthorn and found that it doesn’t fruit until after the first frost, so the early signs of life on its thorny branches do not promise an early reconciliation with neighbors–just that we will eat together eventually..

  16. well written, mi amigo. it is well for voices to speak out in what ever way so that the world is cognizant of that world outside of their own.
    gracias for sharing you artistic way of viewing

  19. “when sooty wings obscure the sky
    as croaking rooks” is a powerful lead-in. I could almost feel the tremor of the marching boots. Love “we should be sharing … bread”…..instead of hate. Sigh. Your poem really hits home, Bjorn. Fantastic write.

  21. Powerful words indeed, the world we live in will one day decide to kick us off unless we open our eyes to some of those sunny days. We are destroying not only ourselves but a place we call home.

  22. Thank you for your strong words here. There is a rain cloud over the world where reason has abated. That some still care for the fate of others is cause for rejoicing. I struggle with the headlines – they tell not what the fate (in Ukraine) of those dear to me is.

  23. dang. that second stanza is tight and pointed…and sometimes we need to express that righteous anger at what our world is turning to..you know…its good to find hope and dance…but ugh..

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