To All Nebuchadnezzars
(in the present age in exigency
anywhere, this is the prophecy
of speaking truth to power)
Said Daniel to the king:
You are brittle with power
While I have talent, speak
With zeal, and touch power
That’s true because I know
It’s not my own
You will cast me out and
Throw me down
I will survive the lions, while
You, above, will soon suffer
Suppurating disease
The carrion of falsehood
On which you feed will have
Its way with you, eating
Infected meat of poisoned
Blood that comes from
Your own veins
Why not send me, if you
Cannot bear my presence,
To a new place where I
Might love the people you
Have cursed whom I can
Help, and you remain
Within your rich and sullen
Chamber, adorned in
Shadowed fate
Nothing changes, king; for
I will arise from the pit in
Certainty, while you will
Never recognize how you
Dwell in your own deep
Place without protection
From the beasts
March 3, 2016 at 5:06 am
Ooooh. Your words are poweful, fierce and seethes through the bones. These lines are just… beyond great.
The carrion of falsehood
On which you feed will have
Its way with you, eating
Infected meat of poisoned
Blood that comes from
Your own veins
March 3, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Wow, “seethes through bones.” That phrasing’s great.
Thank you. This one was hard to write. It took a lot of re-writing and time. Your comment makes it all worthwhile.
March 4, 2016 at 6:58 am
Thank you! 😀 Editing really makes a poem more special. This one proves it. 🙂
March 4, 2016 at 4:40 am
Prophetic! Has a touch of Daniel’s strength and his “out of this world” visions. Definitely one of my favorites from you.
March 4, 2016 at 6:48 pm
I’m delighted to know this is a favorite. Yes, Daniel could predict the future; he could also prophecy the present. Speak to what was happening currently and make sense of that–interpret that–for leaders and society in general.
March 4, 2016 at 7:51 pm
He definitely is a pillar of wisdom!
October 2, 2016 at 12:20 am
very touching and moving, love the meter and the message. 🙂
October 2, 2016 at 1:58 am
Thanks so much! It’s reinforcing to know that the form as well as the content work well for you.