Michelangelo carved David over the city

[Sylvierue]

When I saw abundance rising out
of the dark skyline,
I did not turn as I should.

Being warned by parables,
the intuition of scrolls

of danger held in a glance. Because
the heart is a thing of betrayal.

And your fourteen foot rise
told stories

of how even the largest stone
could be lifted, turned in a palm

and slung through the air
without knowing
the stream, or impact

to change the world. At a distance
you tower beautiful still-
nebulous: mighty to powder

the petals of a woman’s heart.
To pull her from the grips

of herself, into the Jordan,
the dust streets leading to Judah.
But you do not mean it, do not

know. Dangling a glow
with the pitch over
your shoulder, calling out
to God with far-off eyes.

As I look back
millenaries on, as though
I were only a dream.

[Kornelia]

Sylvie,

Dare I say this is a masterpiece! You are one very skilled and talented writer! You never seize to amaze.
This is a story within a story, a labyrinth, a kaleidoscope, a canvas.....
Much admired and enjoyed!!!

Kornelia

[Sylvierue]

Thank you very much, Kornelia!

[Rainman]

This shows some genuine talent I think.
I like how articulate the thought process is, and the fluency of vision, as the poem telescopes from the historical to the emotionally particular. The idea of the pebble being cast into the future and having effects there is a smart notion, reflecting how we project scenarios of our own futures. I liked the phrase "turned in a palm" which was a very clever touch, earthing the voltage of the writing somehow.
Good work by any standard, I liked it a lot.

[Sylvierue]

Many thanks, Rainman. I appreciate all you had to say.

[everhopeful]

A very interesting piece from you Sylvie, I particularly enjoyed how you used the historic aspect of this one in what feels like quite a menacing way. Perhaps that's more of a between the lines element, but I get the feeling that the things the speaker sees lure her in even though everything else is telling her she needs to about turn and move in the opposite direction. Yet it seems it's not just what the speaker sees which draws her closer, it's the feeling of being so inspired by what it represents that it's impossible to turn away.
I like how it moves to something more contemplative in the middle of the poem, it seems to emphasise the seductive nature of the vision before she finds herself led off the beaten track, pulled back into history.
In a way the ending feels like the speaker has woken up and found herself back in the present day, yet that trip backwards through time wasn't a dream or a vision, she still feels like it was a genuine experience.
I certainly feel like the pain in this one lies in the present day, if that makes sense? A pleasure to read your work, as always.

[Sylvierue]

Many thanks. It is, I suppose like time travel while standing still. Menacing but enriching, I guess multi-faceted like all lingering experience is. I appreciate your thoughtful assessment of the poem, you have a way of getting at the heart of things in your readings.

[Soulless_Writer]

Great choice of words. The way u put it and overall I'll say nice job done (:

[dwells]

"mighty to powder
the petals of a woman’s heart."
Yeah baby! This statue is indeed one of the best works of art our world, or any world has to offer.
Especially enjoyed the godliness challenged perhaps, in the visage; from ancient Judah to Rome of the Middle Ages, and immortal still. An exquisite tribute - cheers Sylvi! - Dan

[Sylvierue]

You've captured the spirit! Many thanks for you thoughts, Dan.

[AlzheimerDreams]

Hello Sylvierue,

Brilliant - I like it a lot. And to think that Queen Vicoria (of England) was shocked when she saw the statue and as a result it had a gilded fig leaf (hung on discrete hooks) that was used to assuage her sensibilities. To have such power and to so abuse it says a lot about the victorian era.

It was a bit of a miracle how the statue survived the various mistreatments and abandonments of those "masters" who undertook the work before Michangelo 'had a go.' And what a wonderful 'go' he made of it.

I repeat I really like yoour poem and am glad you have your well deserved spotlight.

[Sylvierue]

Hi Eric,

That's an interesting historical tidbit. I read a book to my kids about the actual making of the statue and found it fascinating, imagining him there above the city carving it out. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and knowledge on the poem. Many thanks.

[Josie]

This poem was thought provoking, especially thinking about the impact art has on our lives and the way it relates to time and our understanding of life. Congratulations on the TPS Spotlight recognition.

[Ladywildalice]

Excellent. Congrats on the Spotlight. Very well deserved indeed.

[Mollie]

Congratulations. Such magnificent imagery. A well chosen spotlight

[everhopeful]

It always impresses me when someone can write multi-faceted poetry which can read so well in a literal fashion which also has deeper layers than mere description, and that's certainly one of the qualities of this poem. While the description within this one reads smoothly, it definitely brought out the need for me to investigate the layers beneath and see it in a much more personal context.
An intriguing read, and one I'm so pleased to see again in the spotlight, congratulations!

[Sylvierue]

Many thanks for the kind comments everyone, I appreciate the encouraging feedback.

[Windsend]

Kind of reminds of me the old adage; Lets paint the town. Although a great many events worthy of remembrance within our history books came to fruition though Love. Great poem. I thoroughly enjoyed every line written here. Well deserving of the spotlight! Always a pleasure.
Brad-

[Sylvierue]

Many thanks, Brad. Appreciate your perspective.

[Chelle]

So the thing I like the most about this is its unique structure. It's not clear, but then there is a structure-nonconforming. Besides that, the process it takes the reader through is indeed akin to the carving of the statue and you're left with a beautiful image at the end. Well deserved spotlight!