We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

25.11.19

The Calling



The Calling

The moon high in my window 
floated, gazing, all the long nights,
claiming me: whispering, singing –
beginning in my far childhood
and never ending, not yet.

I knew and did not resist.
‘You,’ I said in my silent thought,
‘are my lover, my mother,
my teacher, my secret God.’
I chose with my whole heart.

Was chosen and chose.
Was claimed and laid claim.
It was written; witnessed by stars
and by the dark space of night itself.
Written in blood, carved deep.

It was always written.
The rest I was free to invent.
Life, other loves, children,
even other work, other
delights of the soul.

But here in the deep night
which is home, 
only this truth remains,
all else extraneous 
as the moon and I commune.


Written for Thotpurge's Poetry Tuesday #3 – Borrowed, where we are invited to 'borrow some magic' from a poem that inspires us. I've always loved Dylan Thomas's 'In my craft or sullen art'.

Also linking to Poets United's Pantry of Poetry and Prose #8. I'll be travelling when the Pantry goes live, with limited internet access for a couple of days, so I may be a trifle tardy reading and commenting on other's writings. I'll catch up soon!

45 comments:

  1. I share that intoxication for the moon! The one truth as everything is invented around it - love that thought. Beautiful poem, Rosemary and as Dylan Thomas said- this kind of craft is but for lovers!

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    1. 'Who pay no praise or wages / Nor heed ...' (Smile.)

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  2. I wish I had written this poem, as it speaks my truth deeper than I could have done. Lovely!

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    1. " Was chosen and chose.
      Was claimed and laid claim."

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    2. Thank you, Susan. I feel it is a truth shared by all poets.

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  3. I really love the thought of "deep night" being home. It just feels so... peaceful.

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  4. The image of the moon floating and gazing has such an otherworldly charm! A 'delight of the soul' indeed.

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  5. "I knew and did not resist." Submission. This is very powerful.

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  6. I love your love and respect for the moon - it is truly magical

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  7. Luv the truth of night that moon carved in forever love
    Happy Sunday

    much love...

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  8. Some people think that being moon struck is madness, but it would be far madder to ignore that tugging on the soul and that feeling of rightness under moonlight.

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  9. So playful. The moon is my secret mystery too and I wrote about it today too.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, so I saw. And also Kim. Nice to be so attuned.

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  10. I love the coincidence that our poems both started with the moon, Rosemary. I also love your conversation with the moon, and the lines:
    ‘It was written; witnessed by stars
    and by the dark space of night itself.
    Written in blood, carved deep’
    and
    ‘…in the deep night
    which is home,
    only this truth remains,
    all else extraneous
    as the moon and I commune.’

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    Replies
    1. She is speaking to many of us at present, it seems.

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  11. This is so beautiful! ❤️ I too share the love and familiarity for the moon. Sometimes I feel it can hear my thoughts.

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  12. A wonderful read for me...

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  13. So beautiful, Rosemary, as was the moon this past week - stunning!!!

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    1. Ironically, I seldom saw it through the smoke haze.

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  14. For me, this is exceptional Rosemary. You have conjured an elegiac tone here which made it such a delight to read

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  15. "Here in the deep night which is home" - I must admit I ramble through my inventions rather awkwardly, always with one foot in this one truth that remains. I see you, sis.

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    1. It's good to be seen!

      Hey, I don't perceive your 'inventions' as awkward.

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  16. There is something so eternal in the moon--and it allows this piece to feels the same way to me--constant--lovely, lovely piece

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  17. The moon ... whispering, singing (claiming) me... and so starts the beginning of a gorgeous poem!

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  18. it's certainly hard to resist the moon. it has a unique energy of its own.
    i especially loved that ending stanza.

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    1. I suspect all poets feel the same. Glad you liked it.

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  19. Oh, I love this moon poem. It speaks what I wish I had written. Beauitiful

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  20. A beautifully imaged piece. The moon is one of humankind's most primordial, nuanced and omnipresent 'presence' and I love the direction that you went in here, with that ... reflecting on your own life-long - mystical - relationship. The personification here, is just so delicately rendered. That - I think - is the key to the mood you have struck in this poem - which is equisitely lovely … indeed, mesmeric.

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  21. As someone who admires the craft of Dylan Thomas, I always appreciate a reminder to read his work. I enjoyed your thoughts as well, Rosemary. Being "here in the deep night" sometimes is the best place to be or a trap that is difficult to escape.

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    1. Ha ha, both at once perhaps. (But is it a trap if you choose it?)

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    2. If we choose? I suppose not, Rosemary. Thanks for the thought

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