EXHORTATION
Listen
I who have dwelt for a season
at the root of a scream,
I who have read my heart like a man
with no hands reading a book
whose pages turn with the wind…
I say Listen, hear me.
When you play at “strife-in-eyes”
and you stare to see which will go
under first–PLEASE PLEASE
be the first to smile.
Do not harden yourself…yourself…
Though it mean surrendering all
Turning yourself out
To Be Known at the world’s mercy
You may lose your name, you may not know
your shape, even the words
you breathe, spoken out so clearly
will loosen and disperse
possibly forever
all given over to the wind crying upon distant seas.
Moment of terror, should the
Moonlight name you a profile
Among Fallen Flowers
Yet you may survive, for many have done so.
You need only to close your eyes…
(Beautiful, Feminine Gesture)
And do not be afraid of the strange woman you find
Lying in the Chamber of your throat
So it will be: Dark. A Long Vigil.
far among splendours of despair…but
everything will be true, pure,
your love most of all.
But now, please, open your eyes.
Have we not said, down with all tyrants–
even our own?
ESPECIALLY OUR OWN!
OPEN YOUR EYES!
They will glitter with knowledge of the other side
of the moon–their light of such
a quiet intensity that smiles and frowns
will fall away like shadows of
wild birds flying over–
Yet a degree of affection remaining, like
when you find an old Bible in an
old cupboard in an
old empty house–so it is.
Freedom and Beauty. Do not be afraid.
Assume the freedom of those
born in captivity
who find the purity of being.
Do not be over-modest.
Wear the delicate beauty of those crippled
at birth who earn the grace
of their maiming.
You must look and you must seek
in the dreamless dark.
But I await you there…
The Dark Light Of My Eyes Burning With Patience
And then, my eyes will answer…
but they will not command a summons.
Charissa's Grace Notes 
Very well expressed, deep and subtle. loved it.
I would like to invite you to have a look at my artworks and poetry as well. It’s always good to interact with people. this is how we learn and grow. http://priyapareek.wordpress.com/
Thank you so very much for the nice words, and that you thought it subtle…a very important thing to my poetry! I will be checking out your site.
Charissa
Hi Cherissa. I manage two blogs. One is where I share poetry and the other where I share my artwork.
I hope you like it. Would love to hear from you soon again 🙂
Priya, could you please send me the words to your Nightingale Dear?
It’s hard to read in the picture.
Thanks soo much!
Charissa (with an “a”… Lol 😂)
I will surely post that again and send it to you as well. Thank you for giving it your precious time. Happy to meet you 🙂
You as well. You have talent! Keep writing and stoking your fires of creativity.
Feeling warm and motivated with your beautiful words. Thank you 🙂
I see my dysphoria on rampant display in this old poem…I thought it was to someone else…but it was really who I was, writing to me, Charissa, all those years ago…Gawd, I used to hate this poem. Even recently, I would turn the pages of old journals, and my eyes would simply bounce off these words…
I am actually just flat out blown away at the obvious blasting that the person I was was giving me! Trying so hard to tell me, tell himself. It makes me cry now…remembering the long and salty tear slogged path. I remember writing this, but the words are like a prophecy written 33 years ago and sealed in an envelope, and opened just now for me to see the glory of God in the forthtelling future.
I hope you like it, Constance…I have gained a measure of admiration for him, the one who carried me so doggedly and faithfully to a place where I could be set free, and he to his rest could go in peace, secure in knowing he was faithful.
I am forever grateful.