Liturgy of Skulls

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Hollow eyes watch
for Armageddon
as if blood could
reanimate bones
taught death
was the lily field
of resurrection.

A liturgy of skulls
drones through dust
heaven has a deadbolt
only a sword can unlock.
Behold, the sons of Abraham
have only one agreement.
The rib cage of hell
 will house souls
 condemned by
by their religions.

©Susie Clevenger 2016


Photo:

By Merlin - Praca własna, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9420767

Comments

Outlawyer said…
Yikes--seething indictment--really quite terrifying; also your just honed in knowledge of scripture is so interesting here in delineating your message--all very succinct and distilled. k.
April 13, 2016 at 6:07 AM
Ellecee said…
Powerful words, Susie. It's sad that so many of the atrocities of our world have been tied to one religion or another, still happening today. The bones continue to mount.
April 13, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Maude Lynn said…
Excellent, Susie. Just excellent.
April 13, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Sanaa Rizvi said…

A liturgy of skulls
drones through dust
heaven has a deadbolt
only a sword can unlock.

Such powerful lines..!!!
April 13, 2016 at 10:45 AM
brudberg said…
Oh what religion has lent its name to... Horrific what's been done and what continue to be done.
April 13, 2016 at 12:40 PM
Hannah said…
"The rib cage of hell
will house souls
condemned by
by their religions."

Boom!!

Awesome, Susie!
April 13, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Buddah Moskowitz said…
As a post-theistic, Christian existentialist universalist, your poem resonates more than you know. Yes, espousing religion is no substitute for true lovingkindness and compassion.
April 13, 2016 at 4:22 PM
Anonymous said…
Wow This is powerful - love the shape too.
April 13, 2016 at 4:25 PM
De Jackson said…
Love this, especially:
"heaven has a deadbolt
only a sword can unlock."
April 13, 2016 at 6:47 PM
Raivenne said…
Damn, this rocks!

"heaven has a deadbolt
only a sword can unlock."

"The rib cage of hell
will house souls
condemned by
by their religions."

I stood up and applauded before I could catch my self.
April 13, 2016 at 8:26 PM
Rosemary Nissen-Wade said…
Ha! I'm inclined to agree. Terrific writing, from the title on.
April 13, 2016 at 8:38 PM
C.C. said…
Your title and line about "the rib cage of hell" are incredibly well written and so poignant! Wow.
April 13, 2016 at 11:04 PM
grapeling said…
yes, they will. solemn, Susie ~
April 14, 2016 at 1:25 AM
Bekkie Sanchez said…
I agree with Hannah! "The rib cage of hell
will house souls
condemned by
by their religions." What a punch!
April 14, 2016 at 8:15 PM
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