A wingless phoenix in Wal-Mart
By Special K and Quaker Oats
Stands mid-aisle, stock still, face pinched.
His eyes shift blank and stare
At a nightmare in the lightning flashes of his brain
Even with the doctor’s little pills, Franken-Berry,
Untethered chemistry, synaptic discord
A conflagration he could barely control
Or it would blaze into fiery immolation
As it was doing now
Had done a thousand times before
But for the clenched claws
Would knock down the hazy stupor of the day
Into wide Tartarus.
Storm-flash gone, he lifts his hand
Past packaged heads, past canned voices
Past paranoia, past schizophrenia
For the Lucky Charms
Broken bits of childhood psalms
Crayon memories
Of a Man walking on water
Leading him home
A child of God by name.
Reblogged this on Dreams from a Pilgrimage and commented:
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me! (Psalm 139: 15-18)
LikeLike
I’ve loved the image of the phoenix ever since I read about its use as a symbol of the resurrection.
This is an amazing treatment. Kudos.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I did not know but am not surprised at the phoenix imagery for the resurrection. There is a sense in which the rebirth – new birth – happens on this side of heaven as well, of course, but the image fits so aptly for rising from death to eternal life.
LikeLike
Love your words and thoughts, Dora.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mitch! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting poem Dora! I love the phoenix!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A favorite of mine too. Thank you, Dwight. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a really interesting poem. Funny because Lucky Charms are my favorite, hence the glorious finish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Christine! Yes, the finish is everything 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person