Before 40 Days have Passed by Kristina Woodhill
never touching
tiny paper
or cloth-wrapped clippings
toe nails
finger nails
reverently stuffed
into straw-mud brick cracks
of outer house walls
small out-of-place
bits of mortar
in aging compound walls
even exploring near-by ruins
revealed more recent human shards
a custom
young eyes discovered
curiously spying
a ritual
young ears heard tell
cautiously pondering
a sacred, personal burial
where cleanliness mixed with belief
mapped by rules of their ancient road
we children had only begun to travel
04/08/2013
Posted on 04/08/2013 Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
Member Comments on this Poem |
Posted by Sandy M. Humphrey on 04/08/13 at 07:25 PM Very descriptive, enjoy your writing. smh |
Posted by Ken Harnisch on 04/10/13 at 06:49 PM There is a lyrical flow to this poem, Kristina that left me enchanted, and had me come back for one and then another reading. I'm still enchanted. |
Posted by Laura Doom on 04/14/13 at 10:45 AM Having guided us through the wilderness, you've left it as you found it, touched but untouched, familiar yet still unknown... |
Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 04/17/13 at 04:18 AM Interesting combination, Kris, of past, present, and future, concrete and metaphysical. |
Posted by Alison McKenzie on 04/18/13 at 10:38 PM You have always had a most unique and appreciated perspective. Another treasure!
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Posted by Gail Wolper on 08/03/14 at 04:33 AM found myself wanting more detail as the subject matter is so interesting. |
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