The calluses on my hands could've
Saved a man from a stray bullet
Standing as tall as the hair
On the back of my knuckles
Dutch courage on the tips
Of my fingers death dripping
Down my palm across my lifeline
My hand is slightly pressed against
My nose I inhale the scent
Like a lonely drunken soul
The morning after cheap sex
With all my demons
"...And when they rise,
They rise above you
As if you were
Born into
Dust..."
Old spiritual talk
From the black man
hanging on a rusty rail
We caught eyes
I took a sip of liquor
He hands me a bible
My touch of blood
Burned the pages
So I poured liquor on it
The black man said
I'm going to hell
By the hand of God
If I continue to pour
My liquor on those pages
Will it take this pain
From my throat
I poured liquor on that bible
To consume what killed me
And what Jesus is still dying for
Seized by a temporary
Fixation I believed was
An epiphany yet
Unequal to my darkest figure
©2012 Anthony Desmond Scott. All Rights Reserved.
for Open Link Night at d'Verse Poets pub!
Superb!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
damn dud...vicious imagery of the man hanging on the nail...and that moment of truth for yourself as well puring liquor on the bible...and that closing epiphany...well done man...
ReplyDeleteA powerful and good write...I poured liquor on that bible
ReplyDeleteTo consume what killed me
And what Jesus is still dying for....nicely done!
damn powerful and tight write...like bri and ayala the liquor poured on the bible is a frickin strong image
ReplyDeleteThat first stanza . . . wow!
ReplyDeleteReally strong and notably dark! Hello Mr Desmond remember me? Next time I'm going to London, you are coming with me, even if I have to fly you over myself! Ok back to the poem, what an epiphany at the end. You never, ever disappoint!
ReplyDeleteWow- that pouring is bad bad and good good- Could Jesus help? With a little help- yes!
ReplyDeleteGreat write Anthony!
Vivid imagery and powerful symbols. The image of liquor spilling over the bible really grabs attention.
ReplyDeletehow lost one can be... nice capture of this point
ReplyDeleteWow! Brilliant artistry... sorrowful, sacrilegious, with a surprising epiphany. Dark... and powerfully rendered.
ReplyDeleteBold and masterful.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful- almost vitriolic. This piece conjured up feelings of someone wrestling with their internal demons- maybe religious demons. I loved the rawness of your words when describing waking up and smelling of cheap sex and booze and then this- compared with the religious spoutings resulting in booze being pourednonnthe bible, even at the threat of hell- was very powerful- almost vitriolic. Love poetry like this - challenging and uncompromising
ReplyDeleteYep...have to agree with all of the above! Brilliant writing, AD ...challenging and powerful...good stuff.
ReplyDeleteVery dark and raw. Great writing!
ReplyDeleteAlways cutting edge, Anthony. It's interesting to me the way you take on religious themes from "another" angle. Always feeling a way to your own way of understanding grace and redemption. Well done.
ReplyDeletewe embrace Life so much more clearly with death as an arrow of guidance... crippled by brilliance, your eyes reveal the path traveled....a very concise and approachable read...thank you
ReplyDeletePeace
Damned tight write. Loved this
ReplyDelete"My hand is slightly pressed against
My nose I inhale the scent
Like a lonely drunken soul
The morning after cheap sex
With all my demons"
I thought I was the only one to do that. Excellent.
This is an awesome poem, as usual. Every week you continue to amaze....
ReplyDeleteTo consume what killed me
ReplyDeleteAnd what Jesus is still dying for
Seized by a temporary
Fixation I believed was
An epiphany yet
Unequal to my darkest figure
Superb!
@AudreyHowitt
Mr D (emon) writer of war and all else holy - she says to me "you write that shit about the lord coz you a sinner" - i say "thats why he love me more than your ass... bitch - coz u dont give him another thought (outside the obvious)" - we made love...
ReplyDeleteyou made love to my brain with this beast (in a Manly non - physical way you understand :)...
good plays of the word/sin, not too intricate and compelled to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteDeep and completely raw creativity.
ReplyDeleteWhew...what vivid images...I like these lines best though what struck me is Jesus is still dying for...food for thought ~
ReplyDeleteI poured liquor on that bible
To consume what killed me
And what Jesus is still dying for
Such depth in this...Old spiritual talk From the black man hanging on a rusty rail... great work!
ReplyDeleteSuperb words here, really glad I stumbled upon you from dVerse! Powerful stuff!
ReplyDeleteYou're dark today. This one makes me want to cheer you up. But look what wonder this mood has wrote; so I'll leave well enough alone.
ReplyDeletehanging on a nail... whoa! This is dark and compelling. I found myself reading faster toward the end. Wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteA tainted tapestry painted in dark hues...loved it
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breath taking...
ReplyDelete