The Wanderer
this pale heart weeps
in bitterness enshrined
these feet hardy and tough
through vast distance they walked
now trembles at every step
knees sinking to crumbling depths
these hands gave life
to those now long departed
now holds a stick sturdy
to keep this wanderer walking
these ancient eyes
now clouded cannot see
where lies the key
to unlock the answer
this body lashed in thousands
for heresy uncommitted
to a living hell banished
in eternal pain this crumbling body wails
and in this pale heart tainted blood fails
to keep this wanderer walking
so where lies the key
to unlock the answer
between endless stretches of sand
lies vast oceans no ship ever sails
red sun shines brighter this dying land
alight this fire steams life into vapor
with bitterness this parched throat cries
for unsalted water
clouded eyes see ancient forests dying
trembling feet walks on falling leaves burning
on this ashen ground lay a tired wanderer
in tears vanishing to vapor sizzling
with bitterness this parched throat cries
for unsalted water
where lies the key to unlock the answer
this clouded sight cannot forever see
and time counts in drops of water
needed to keep this wanderer walking
Powerful images, strong message… beautiful!
October 4, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Very epic in nature for such a short poem! Great images place us in the middle of all this. Great choice in employing the right modifiers.
Love how you provide us a nice frame for the meaning of this in the last two lines: “and time counts in drops of water needed to keep this wanderer walking”
October 4, 2011 at 10:08 pm
Is the wander old father time lost and alone in the dessert of man’s uselessness being punished for our crimes? …Even if it is not it is a fabulous poem with great imagery !!
October 5, 2011 at 12:59 am
Powerful imagery, thanks for sharing!
October 5, 2011 at 3:30 am
Wonderfully woven tapestry of words. I especially liked “between endless stretches of sand lies vast oceans no ship ever sails” what an epic picture. Tragic and exotic. A testimony to the plight of humanity, or the individual. As always, a great read. Keep writing!
October 5, 2011 at 8:09 am
In a never-ending twist of fate the wanderer continues on a journey that spans a thousand lifetimes, a crusade beyond the boundaries of an everlasting expanse of land, without the knowledge of when the next drop of water wilt touch the lips, to quench the thirst, to endeavour is to be…
Androgoth
October 10, 2011 at 3:23 am
Powerful, indeed. I enjoyed the imagery alot, especially on that 6th stanza. So… “where lies the key to unlock the answer?” (Love that line by the way.)
October 16, 2011 at 3:34 am