I’ve suddenly found myself somewhat becalmed. So while I await the winds to again blow across the seas where poets dream I thought I’d satiate my poetic side by doing some ‘Voices’. For anyone who’s not familiar, these are recitals of poems that other poets graciously allow me to read and present. They can now be found in a separate section called Alchemists of Word.

With this in mind I was reading my good friend Charlie Hasler’s  book ‘Words from an unlikely Poet’, and promptly asked Charlie if he would mind. He kindly said yes, and I present 3 from his book below.

CHARLIESAYS

The following is merely my opinion.

Charlie has a powerful, soul – baring style, which is gutsy and smothers heart and mind in emotion. The first piece is about his relationship with his father and is both honest and poignant. The second is again so very personal, this time about acceptance, acknowledgment.

The third piece is a tour de force. I approached this piece with trepidation, having read it several times. It is this poem in particular that prompted the word ‘smother’. The first half is relentlessly bleak, a mind in torment for sure.

But ultimately  ‘I Rise’ is uplifting and inspirational, honouring the strength of the human spirit. On listening to this on playback, I was staggered how great its impact was. I therefore present just the spoken version.

 

 

SEEDS TO SOW

 

When I was a boy of my Fathers eye,

Many strands and grey ago,

He walked the world with a softer step,

A softer step with me in tow.

This is how we did wander,

And wander we did go.

 

When I was a lad of my Fathers hands,

Many yesterdays and seasons come,

I learned his words and wisdom,

Forgetting them as I did go.

How I still wander forgetful,

Forgetting as I go.

 

When I was a man of more a lad,

With all my Fathers worry and woe,

I learnt life can be unforgiving,

Unforgiving from the seeds I did sow

And how I have been reaping,

Reaping as I go.

 

Now I am a man that has fell and fallen from my Fathers tree and apples eye,

I see the lessons he was teaching, teaching through clearest sky.

I wish I listened harder, pin pricked and ears true,

How I would be able to wander wiser, wander wiser a man I would go,

And how my seeds would be softer,

Would be softer my seeds to sow.

 

 

ATONEMENT

 

I wandered a broken man,

Devoid of soul,

How my diamonds did roll,

And slice my barren hands.

On white hot sands, of changing lands

I wandered amongst ghostly dunes.

With haunted eyes and muffled cries,

I hummed a quivered tune.

 

And met was I, by an echoed cry

Of a dog I know by name,

Red eyes glared, as mine froze scared,

His eyes a ruby blaze.

With a matchbox fumble and a liquored tumble,

I fell to my prayer-less knees.

 

And there I kneeled, with no strength to yield,

No words to muster my way.

It was at that moment, in the search for atonement,

The injury had become my own.

And there in the rain, the beast lay slain,

Alas, my truth had run me down.

 

‘I RISE’