my other soul
fell off the wagon
hemorrhaged in plain site
virtual reality thought otherwise
disregarded - it lay torn
three fingers clinging to tracks
a railroad of thoughts ripped it apart,
wings crushed, frayed
beneath a warning of sound
and a survey that went wrong -
but the Tennessee River still flows
declaring the south will rise again
and so my other soul - baptized
in a lone faith - of a Penn, a Faulkner
an Appalachian trail uncut, unfed -
now bled by the sins of my other soul....
bkmackenze
copyrighted 2010
Posted for One Shot Wednesday: Where Poets, Writers and Artists Meet
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.....bkm
I grew up in the South, an almost "old South" experience, with a grandmother who was still fighting the Civil War. I read this, and I'm reminded that I have two souls, too, and somehow that makes sense. Beautiful, hard, poem.
ReplyDeletei grew up in the south as well...and have seen many a southern attitude...smiles. i think i may have more than 2...or maybe that is personalities...smiles. nice write...have a great thanksgiving...
ReplyDeleteYou are doing it again Bkm....you are taking my breath away....i love this!!! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving to Bkm. :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Thanksgiving too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Glynn, Brian, Carrie and Phil....I did not grow up in the south but have been through it and the whole area fasinates me, as well as the fact so many great writers came from there. Deep, soulful writers that definitely knew their other soul....bkm
ReplyDeleteThis proud Tennessee-Southern soul enjoyed this poem...the South is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and yours, My Dear Friend :)
So glad you liked it Tracy...thought of you when I threw that Tennessee River in there...if I did not hear from you ...I was going to email it to you....blessings...bkm
ReplyDeleteamazing poem... soul barring, creative, deep.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you've delivered an excellent, soulful poem.
ReplyDeleteintersting...really like this - but the Tennessee River still flows
ReplyDeletedeclaring the south will rise again
That was incredible and intriguing. :)
ReplyDeletehuzzah, glad to have discovered your writing.
ReplyDeleteDeeply soulful & romanticized vision of Appalachia. Marvelous way of getting the sorrowful melancholia of the region into your narrative; very intense poem. Thanks for posting via 1SW, was glad when I saw your entry. take it easy,
ReplyDeletecrb.
a railroad of thoughts ripped it apart-
ReplyDeletegreat words!
Thanks for stopping by, Anthony, Teresa, Kathe, CRB and Suzi...your comments are appreciated and encouraging....blessings to all..bkm
ReplyDeleteLots to think on in this piece. I liked "three fingers clinging to tracks", so specific and powerful, the other soul but barely hanging on...
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, bkm!
I love this. The soul of the South never forsakes the soul of the Nation. You poem really reflected the feeling of being torn for me.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant (soulful) poem! Loved it from beginning to end - the use of language, the imagery - too many lines to quote... but love this "my other soul - baptized
ReplyDeletein a lone faith - of a Penn, a Faulkner"
excellent write!
"three fingers clinging to tracks
ReplyDeletea railroad of thoughts ripped it apart,
wings crushed, frayed" ..deep mournful sound. Liked it.
the south to me is something i have only ever seen in the movies...but fluid wonderful writes like this help me understand everything i have seen that much more....but this wasnt just about the south i could relate to this just for what it was...i kinda of felt a battle between head and heart
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in One Shot...all the best
Pete
Your poetry evokes images of reconstruction, and the brilliant literature that still holds me in awe whenever I revisit. Great work, bkm
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ReplyDeleteSomehow my last comment turned into word mush. Here's what I was trying to say: You've burrowed deep here into the joining of human, cultural and geographic realities and what they make separately and together.Got something complex, new and important from all three of my re-readings. A very strong piece.
ReplyDelete"in plain site" - clever! Nice shot, bk!
ReplyDeleteGreat images, references.
ReplyDelete..a railroad of thoughts ripped it apart..ouch - that hurt...good to have more than one soul in that case...interesting thoughts in your poem..a strong write
ReplyDeleteWow. Marvelous. Loved your whole metaphor here of the two souls. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding write, beautiful poetry.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Beautiful work, BKM; and happy Thanksgiving to YOU too.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic. I always think highly of your work.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how many directions this poem can take one in a reading.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know about life from the south.But your words made me feel like I do!
ReplyDeleteI'm a gemini.I believe I have two of me.So two souls,I agree.
Beautiful and Deep.One feels there is more than waht meets the eye as one reads on!
I bow to your depth and ability as a writer, this is heavy, rich and an amazing journey to take in.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your Thanksgiving blessing. Wishing you a wonderful day and beyond ~
Dear BKM
ReplyDeletePerfect... thanks for sharing..
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com