Dismantled Chorus


Notes swim in a void,
a dismantled chorus
seeking a writer to join
them to melody.

Death ended the song
before it could be written.
Yet the sky winks at
each mother’s child
searching for an electric prodigy
to pull  magic from strings.

Pale riders on the storm hold
wickless candles chanting “light my fire”
hoping faith will resurrect a voice
from an era where love wore flowers
and lips were brazen enough to speak truth.

Where do the lost go
when the music’s over?
A grave holds the poet
buried in his prophesies
while the world continues
spinning around in electronic noise.



©Susie Clevenger 2013

Comments

J Cosmo Newbery said…
Wickless candle? Now there's an exercise in futility.
Wanda Psycho said…
Beautiful! It truly illustrates the soul of this man whom I feel nobody really knew.
Unknown said…
Death ended the song before it could be written. So sad to think of all that may have been written.
Unknown said…
Noce Morrison tribute very much like his poetry.
LaTonya Baldwin said…
Thank Maude for the poets. Your lines about truth and electronic noise struck a chord- hard.

We can wait on the birth, babe. We're it. Keep writing.
Anonymous said…
A very strong Morrison feel too this - definitely dying before his time. Thanks. k.
Marian said…
"buried in his prophesies," yes indeed.
Fireblossom said…
I have often wondered what he might have gone on to write if he had lived. Who writes their best poems in their twenties? Some do, but not many.

The way you have worked the lines from the songs into this is seamless and perfect, never sacrificing flow or meaning. I don't think this challenge could be met any better.
Susie Clevenger said…
@J That is exactly my point. :)

@Wanda, thank you

@Robyn, Yes it is sad. We don't have anyone like him today.

@Sam, thank you
Susie Clevenger said…
@LaTonya, Yes, we need to keep writing.
@manicdaily, thanks so much
@Marian, that is for sure
@Fireblossom, thank you so much. I struggled with my own challenge to speak something worthy of Morrison.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Beautiful and depthful, Susie, one of my favorites of yours. Especially "where do the lost go when the music's over?" Brilliantly done, kiddo.
Anonymous said…
Compelling contrast between beauty and irony in this fabulous tribute to JM !!!
Anonymous said…
Wow Susie I love it and the Jim Morrison Doors references, I am a fan =)

The new prompt is up its a free share
Maggie Grace said…
Wow...you so captured not just his essence but the essence of the era. Beautifully written!
Peggy said…
You did a really excellent job with this--so many captivating images--pale riders, wickless candles. Thanks.
Myrna R. said…
Wow. This is strong and beautiful. I love the last stanza.
Maude Lynn said…
I really like this!
Margaret said…
The last stanza is really haunting. Yes, a nice tribute indeed.
Ella said…
I love the tribute to such a talent, whose flame was snuffed short~
Beautiful and haunting
:D
Helen said…
Question for all of eternity .. 'where do the lost go when the music’s over?'

Lovely writing, lovely. :))
Anonymous said…
Susie, I so like the way you synthesized words and images here. I echo Fireblossom's comments. :)
Kerry O'Connor said…
It is clear from this poem how moved you have been by the singer/poet's words and life story. Thank you for this wonderful challenge, Susie. It was something special, and I hope to return to it myself, and write something inspired by Morrison's poetry.