Positivity,they tell me, is so much ashin delusion’s mouth.I say nothing, but wonderwhy their phoenix stopped burning.
photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko, on Unsplash for Poets and Storytellers United (Weekly Scribblings #36: “a phoenix first must burn” and Writers’ Pantry #37: Rise of the Stink Bugs)
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
So Much Ash
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"when their phoenix stopped burning" -- wow, what a powerful (and sad) image!
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad thought, indeed...
DeleteThe problem in a nutshell. Who has a match to light the the fire bomb? Remember the phoenix lived thousands of years before they burned. Our world is moving faster now, will those remaining have shorter life spans.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read this book. We love her dearly and she loves us too but I am sure our Black great granddaughter has endured problems the type of which we have never imagined. And now they have two adorable children. (A Phoenix First Must Burn: Sixteen Stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope--Book by Patrice Caldwell)
..
Our Library has the book, four copies. It will be ready for me on Monday +/-.
Delete..
I hope you enjoy the reading, Jim.
DeleteDelusion is a wet enough blanket to the ash. No need to wonder dear
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday
Much💓love
Delusion is tricky.
Deletewow...
ReplyDeletelove & blessings
~*~
🖤❤️
DeleteI can't help but think that the ash mixed with saliva would make it's own sort of ink. You "say nothing" but perhaps the words don't come out of your mouth but rather out of your pen.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you think--and not just because I believe the same--it's good to make (and see) the best of things. If life gives you spit and ash, make ink.
DeleteSadly they are missing the phoenix element in their psyche... destined to never fly or soar above the devastation.
ReplyDeleteThat is a terrible thought, isn't it?
DeleteThis world does it's best to make us forget our ability to blaze forth. And sometimes we have to struggle to keep just a bit of heat around for that right moment when we can burn brightest. But I think that effort is always worth it too.
ReplyDeleteAlways.
DeleteWell we know "positivity" is the ember that never stops burning XXX
ReplyDeleteFlame on!
DeleteBest to keep mouth closed as you don't want it full of ash. I love this.
ReplyDeleteEspecially these days, when the ash doesn't seem to be satisfied with being metaphor.
DeleteSpare me delusion and ashes, but I'm all for some positivity.
ReplyDeleteWise woman.
DeleteBeacause we took away the beauty of the world and thought hate was a good word.
ReplyDeleteI can see a poem brewing out of your words...
DeleteIt’s those glass half empty people again, Magaly, trying to douse our phoenix because theirs stopped burning. They are the ones spitting ash.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Kim!
DeleteWell, every now and then you have to set fire to a bird yourself. (Mad cackling.)
ReplyDeleteNow I can't stop thinking about your purse... on fire!
DeleteWow, you packed two hard-hitting, vivid metaphors into only 5 lines! Brava!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenna.
DeleteLooks like my comment didn't post. (Or maybe I didn't press the right button ... just possibly.) Anyway, I think this piece is beautifully succinct, saying it all and saying it in striking language which, once heard (read) is obviously exactly right. Brest of all I love 'ash / in delusion's mouth'.
ReplyDeleteThe Blogger goblins attack again.
DeleteAsh is a lovely snack, though.
ReplyDeleteHa!
DeleteHappy Sunday Magaly
ReplyDeleteMuch💛love
🖤❤️
DeleteI stopped at "ash." The West is covered with ash because of wildfires seemingly everywhere. Delusion may have trouble speaking with ashes in its mouth, but so do we humans. Meanwhile, I find refuge in poetry.
ReplyDeleteIt's a terrible thing. I find myself saying "terrible" a lot these days. Sigh. Even here, all the way in New York City, we are beginning to see the effects of the fires in the sky. It's terrifying.
DeleteI won't even walk on the coals.
ReplyDeleteIt's too hot.
DeleteWe are fighting the smoke in my small Oregon city, praying for everyone in harm's way.
ReplyDeleteHoping for rain.
DeleteI hope there is an abundant crop of winged phoenixes who rise from the ash.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both!
DeleteA beautifully constructed tanka ... that echos.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy.
DeleteThis is if the phoenix gave up on the process and was never reborn. Kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteSad, indeed...
Delete"so much ash in delusion's mouth" - incredible image, Magaly!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah.
DeleteVery sad! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope that the world will do better.
Delete