Monday, May 22, 2017

"The Written Word" by Terri Lynn Cummings, Frequent Contributor

The Written Word
Terri Lynn Cummings

He stuck a pencil behind his ear
lead blunted from words on paper chains
that weighed more than iron 

She reads   mixes his sentences 
with flour and salt until yeasty aroma 
lures her from a life of secret sleet 

then drifts into his realm
held forth like communion
Yet   how do words bear life 

They cannot stroll through a story unread
though bang their fists when called on
Lungs demand the labor of language

all splinter   spark   and ash of it 
Voices resurrect dried pen   barren page
until   at last 

sparrows commune within tall grass abbeys
autumn paints with molten tears
books thicken the marrow of bones 

and ears 
turn 
to their light

Poet’s Notes:  I am awed by the power of the written word, no matter if the words be plain or intricate. They may drown in description or sing like birds, yet when inspired they halt the planet from its spin. 

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