Spot in my eye,
rolling in black water,
fumbling for an object in a dark house.
What I've seen past the spot might be better.
Worrisome blind blur allows no ease.
Pry-bar touches ribs, dig your fingers in.
Breathe and hold. Empty the skull of nonessentials.
Fire in my ears, fighting for focus,
squeezed into small places,
pulsing the voice out of my ears
Floating into the sloughs,
slipping into clarity on the big lake.
Water smell in my head,
returning the light of torches and stars.
Swallowing the hard pebbles,
they scratch my teeth,
scoured and rinsed in chokecherry bitterness.
Today's wins and losses will happen.
Your struggle continues, ache pierces this moment.
Earth will take the prize and your rhinestone tiara as well.
Be assuaged with clean, clear water on your face.
Kalliope
Means "beautiful voice" from Greek καλλος (kallos) "beauty" and οψ (ops) "voice". In Greek mythology she was a goddess of epic poetry and eloquence, one of the nine Muses.
Join us every Tuesday afternoon at the Daily Kos community political poetry club.
Your own poetry is always welcome in the comments.
Bongos, berets & turtle neck sweaters optional.
The keyboard is mightier than the sword.
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