Hesitations - Dedicated to Kenneth Branagh

[ladylilith]

Is this a dagger which I see before me?

Is this a dagger, which I see before me?


The handle falls away from a palmist’s hand,
split-clatter afore feet that stand sinking and
numb. Art thou a blade ready for a slow
slice? A shush into flesh as fresh as winter’s blow
on frozen boughs. Howls, this dagger howls
at me, from the heart throat and jowls,
sick, slick sweat of sound, that circles a round
of borrowed glory on my salted brow, crowned
by a horror, a weird prophecy made of metal
that dangles in my face; straight silver petal
plucked from no humane flower. In this hour,
the hour of placket witches, wolves devour
thought and tongue and sensible steady shoes-

The leather hitches, the leather wilts, this boiled
barnacle of a boot becomes too chewed, easily
skewered on canines, and screams pucker the moon-
A run. A scream. A run. Snap twig. Run on run on
run on run on.

I have flown now, it is

done

the prisoner, the criminal, out grown its pit
and deep in the summoner’s woods-

a golden throne awaits for it.

Oooh. Is this a dagger?

Is this, a dagger?

Come, cross my palm with a weighty shaft
of silver welded madness.
I am given an inch
by inch by inch
and this, this, this… is how I repay thee.

___


*audio - https://soundcloud.com/ladylilith-readz ... dicated-to

*References Act 2 Scene 1 from Shakespeare's Macbeth

[QuietAstronomer]

*Shivers.....
Mlady, the spoken piece is so frightening wondrous.
Particularly the last, punctuated by the reinforcing slaps of the table.
Brought chills.
This is the single most impressive read I have listened to for years, and trust me, these old ears have listened to hundreds.
Bowing respectfully.

QA

[everhopeful]

See, this is exactly why I love your poetry, and also why I was so thrilled to discover an audio link! :D
I can certainly find a lot of satiric elements to this, a few lines I could pick out which play upon the speech patterns of thespians performing the bard's work, particularly when they end-stop heavily and distinctively.
You're certainly skilled in performing it yourself, the emphasis you bring to the pacing in your recital is brilliant on its own, whether used for satire like in the 'run on' repetition, or for dramatic effect like in the latter lines. I think what impressed me most was how you still left your own stamp on something written in a way to fit in with the play's original lines, with some absolutely delicious phrasing and sonic devices perfect for performance.
I read up a little about the play when you told me about seeing it, so I have a bit more appreciation for the "Is this a dagger which I see.." scene, as well as knowing a little bit about the inspiration behind the poem, but even without either of those I think this would still be one of my favourites from you because it has so many elements which I've come to know and love about your work.

[DomingoCarl]

What a write this is, a dedication to a person though unknown to me, 'tis still something worth of understanding. Here I agreeing with the person aloft me.

[Larsen M. Callirhoe]

this is really good Lilith. the imagery sticks in your head so vividly and is so crisp, precise, and clear. well construed poem. enjoyed the read. thank you for sharing. ps. his really deserved the spotlight. congrats!

victor

[inflames]

wow. What a lovely piece (and dedication). The audio is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this spotlight piece, Lil- well deserved!

[rupertpupkin]

What a stupendous flow of words. Amazingly clever rhyming, a very deserving spotlight, well done.

[dornicks]

First I dipped my toe,then fell into the flow of the poem which I enjoyed reading. Worthy of the Spotlight. Congratulations,

dornicks

[everhopeful]

When I discovered this one my smile was this wide -->
Reading and listening to it again has returned the goofy grin to my face!
I think your performance of it was worthy of a spotlight alone, but this one reads as magnificently as it sounds.
Whenever you're inspired by the Bard, or in this case by him plus Mr Branagh, I think you show off your own gift for poetry. It's one thing to be inspired, it's another to bring your own voice to the piece and mix satire with something which holds a dramatic flair Shakespeare would be proud of.
Congratulations on the spotlight!

[Sasha]

Before going into details and all, I appreciate how your work has a studied background, you know, you don't write words for the sake of writing words, you mean every bit, and use cleverly every bit, and no wonder how your talent flourishes by pacey bits! As you just know what you're talking about.

I directly jumped to the audio link, just by giving a quick glance at the lines, I know the recording will be a treat, and then when I read it alone, your voice how you gave each line the deserving intensity of sound, strength to present high quality performance (I guess, you'll see the many time the audio has been played, and I might be responsible about that!) as just when I come to the lines, like "run on" and "Ooh. Is this a dagger?" and the 'this, this..." your voice replayed in my mind.
I made a brief googl-ing about the play, to learn more about this, the symbolism of dagger and the centre of focus and attention, (and I thank you for that), and it's was quite splendid how you used your inspiration to write something something so wonderful like this, I was really engrossed by the overall built and striking alliteration. J'aime beaucoup!

A memorable work, and I hope you're proud about this dedication!
Congratulations on the Spotlight!

Sash

[sparky21737]

Wow, when I was reading this I immediatly thought of the dagger scene in Macbeth and then I saw at the bottom that it is :) I have to admit that I had to google Kenneth Branagh, it was a wonderful dedication to him and this poem was well deserved for a spotlight. I loved the audio of this piece as well. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the spotlight :)

[allmirth]

You know I am a fan of your work, and your Shakespeare inspired pieces are particularly fun to read. As I am very aware of Kenneth Branagh's work, I relish the tone of this. If I could, I would exalt you for the "sensible steady shoes" line alone. It makes me mirthful. Your audio reading is flawless and mesmerizing. Congratulations on a well deserved Spotlight!

Thanks so much for sharing.
Mirthy

[jim_moonan]

this, this, this… is a beautiful piece of writing. I echo all of the praise above. It virtually dances. To say you are a true wordsmith is to give high praise, yet an understatement. Kenneth Branagh be proud!

[retroview]

well i read it and thought WOW!!!!! then I listened to the audio and I am floored I can only hope to one day write something so amazingly beautiful a poet are you my dear AMAZING!!!!!!

[flux]

Eeeerrr, where do I start? Love the alliteration, the rhymes, half-rhymes, the clever use of words, a little cheeky too, in places. This must have been a lot of fun to write, it has that kind of energy, I can sense the energy you put into it. This is obviously a subject you know and love.