Those ragged knots of cloth fluttering all around the hut just stayed in my head... It feels like the air is full of other people’s wanting, tied up and left there on purpose.
I enjoyed this striking poem, Nora! Its note of spiritual longing recalls part five of The Waste Land, in which the poet laments: “Here is no water but only rock / Rock and no water and the sandy soil / The road winding above among the mountains / Which are mountains of rock without water . . . “
Your closing line sounds a lot like the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman when he offered her living water. She, of course had gone to the well to fill her jars with the real stuff. Jesus' described the living water that He offered her the salvation only He could offer. He too pointed out that the Samaritan woman needed to have her thirst quenched, and if you read the John 4 passage carefully, you learn that He meant spiritual thirst. I read your last line as depicting that same need.
Thanks for your careful reading, John. This poem describes a visit to a well deemed holy, a “thin place”, where the ancient Celts and then Christians gathered. It’s a literal account I tried to imbue with a spiritual resonance.
I’m so glad you found a little echo of the biblical woman at the well. I wasn’t thinking of that, but I see it clearly. Thank you!
Nora, I folded into your poem and stayed there awhile. It did indeed quench a thirst. Thank you.
Ah, thank you Elizabeth, you know how much I value your insight and beautiful spirit
A beauty. Love those last lines!
ah, thank you, Ray!
Those ragged knots of cloth fluttering all around the hut just stayed in my head... It feels like the air is full of other people’s wanting, tied up and left there on purpose.
You got it exactly! They’re tokens left by the faithful. May their prayers be answered. ❤️❤️❤️
I enjoyed this striking poem, Nora! Its note of spiritual longing recalls part five of The Waste Land, in which the poet laments: “Here is no water but only rock / Rock and no water and the sandy soil / The road winding above among the mountains / Which are mountains of rock without water . . . “
https://poetryarchive.org/poem/waste-land-part-v-what-thunder-said/
Terrific stuff, Nora.
Thank you kindly, Richard!
The last stanza is overwhelmingly beautiful 👏
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
I love the pacing and how each stanza describes an observation, notices imperfections then reveals what its endured
Thank you so much for such a careful reading, Gub!
So atmospheric and contemplative!
Thank you so much, Kayla!
Simply beautifully told…love this,
great storytelling social commentary and personal perspective…wow this is so good🖤😊🙏😘
Thanks a million, Sea!💕
You’re welcome as always Nora…😘😊✨
Your closing line sounds a lot like the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman when he offered her living water. She, of course had gone to the well to fill her jars with the real stuff. Jesus' described the living water that He offered her the salvation only He could offer. He too pointed out that the Samaritan woman needed to have her thirst quenched, and if you read the John 4 passage carefully, you learn that He meant spiritual thirst. I read your last line as depicting that same need.
Am I close?
Thanks for your careful reading, John. This poem describes a visit to a well deemed holy, a “thin place”, where the ancient Celts and then Christians gathered. It’s a literal account I tried to imbue with a spiritual resonance.
I’m so glad you found a little echo of the biblical woman at the well. I wasn’t thinking of that, but I see it clearly. Thank you!
Thank you for your grace in seeing what I saw. You do a great job describing your experiences.
Thank you so much, Joe! And thanks for the link to The Waste Land. It’s definitely time for me to revisit that one.
Beautiful!🤩
Serene and wonderfully refreshing ❤️