Saturday, May 17, 2014

Naiad

Photo,  Aaron Draper


An ancient dream,
if you will…

shoulders unarched
i walked into the water
paying no heed to the waves
giving no mind to the imminent storm

my spirit emptied of discernment
my core hollow of presentiment

pure as a newborn
whose gaze falls blue and unfiltered

i walked
i plunged

i bathed
in the cistern of secrecy
my body jarred and amplified by
the keen obscenity of this new unknown

unknown, that was, to anyone but me

sorceress! i called myself
a torrent of names i lashed
at my own eyes and cheeks

how long before the burden of truth
affixed itself to me?

how long before the self-drawn blood
stained the cold sand floor?

I’d like to shake the memory of that dream
like I shake my hair when I emerge
from the froth of the sea.

I’d like to wrest the reality of it
from this reality.

I’d like to…
but doing so would be 
a denial of self.

And who am I to deny me?
So many others have tried and failed.

I rest, instead,
fierce and flaming
inside this masted body,
a stirring yet unsung intermezzo­­—
an ivory circumference of byzantium patience.


* * * * * * * * *

NOTE: My first poetry chapbook, From Darkness, Beatitudesis scheduled to be released June 2014 from Finishing Line Press.

10 comments:

adriana said...

Can't wait to have my copy.
I am amazed at your great writting, at your capacity to see you self and at your generosity to share so openly.

Nevine Sultan said...

We all learn from one another, Adriana. I learn from others who share. It's only fair that I share, too. As I share, I learn just a little bit more about myself... and this beautiful world we all share. Always lovely to know your thoughts, dear Adriana. A warm hug from me to you...

Anonymous said...

I love the way you share, and sometimes I see myself in your words. I think to myself, another time, another world, such sweet music as has never been heard. I will always float by...

Catherine Vibert said...

These two top poems are medicine for me right now. Hello old friend...

Nevine Sultan said...

Thomas, always the gentleman! Thank you for stopping in...

Nevine Sultan said...

Cat, it's been forever! Poetry is always the perfect medicine for us poets. I hope you're doing well, and still writing and painting...

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice Nevine. As always, your poems make me glad that I stopped by.

Nevine Sultan said...

Thank you, Pat. You're ever so generous... and I'm always happy to see you here.

A Cuban In London said...

I go and return and the quality of your poetry is still there. Thanks, I enjoyed this. Good to see that you are a published author! :-)

Greetings from London.

Nevine Sultan said...

Cuban, it's always a treat to receive you. What a lovely surprise for me this Sunday morning! Thank you.