Hallelujah

ravenswingpoetry — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 19:42:03 +0000

Smith River Magic by Riktorsashen

This triptych poem was written for Read Write Poem prompt #46: Dervishes and Wine Odes. In short, we were to “write about the Divine through an image we don’t usually use”. I’ve always experienced the Divine the most when out in nature, hence this poem….

Now you’re wondering what the heck a triptych poem is. It’s an experiment of mine.

In the art world, triptychs are works of art divided into three sections, or panels, which may be hinged and folded. According to this article at Wikipedia, “the triptych form arises from early Christian art, and was the standard format for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards”. Apparently, the triptych form was also used to build altarpieces in churches and cathedrals.

I used the physical art form as an inspiration for my experiment. The triptych poem is divided into three columns, with the columns displayed side by side horizontally in print – like the three panels in a literal triptych.

Now here’s the really cool part – you can read this kind of poem two ways: a) reading each column down in succession until you’ve read all three columns, or b) reading each line across the three columns. A good triptych poem, as I’ve done with this experiment, should be able to be read coherently and be lucid both ways.

I hope other poets try this experiment. This was a lot of fun to compose. Enjoy!

-Nicole

——————————————————————–

Hallelujah	Hallelujah	Hallelujah
the water, it calls me	soft, translucent whispers	in the wind
breathing my name	through still, hot sunlight	past the leaves
open sky above	a gentle, shining face	above my head
I will dance	suspended	in the river
inside the womb	weightless, laughing	below the surface
gentle, wordless songs	the wind cries choirs	around my ears
caressing my skin	caressing Creation	inside and out
before shattering darkness	Innocence lost	before my birth
there was only this	found once again	beyond concrete and neon
loud, exploding Love	endless, everlasting God	bursting from Paradise
Hallelujah	Hallelujah	Hallelujah

Written 9/26/08
© 2008 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted in Poems, Prompt Poems, Triptych Poetry Tagged: Christian poetry, creation, divine, find God, find the Divine, finding God, God, Great Spirit, Hallelujah, metaphysical poetry, Poems, poet, poetry, poets, prompt, prompt poem, Prompt Poems, read write poem, read write poem prompt, religious poetry, Supreme Being, triptych, Triptych poem, Triptych poems, Triptych poetry, worship

Gypsy

ravenswingpoetry — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:34:22 +0000

Smoky eyes,
Yellow hair;
Flowing skirts,
Knowing stare.
The desert at your back,
Mirrors before your face;
And then you’re gone
Without a trace
And I’m holding your shawl
And your words
While my heart
With the birds
Flies away,
If only briefly -
Sing to me,
Gypsy Stevie.

Written 4/19/08
© 2008 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.

Flame Journey

ravenswingpoetry — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:10:37 +0000

Dance, flame. Dance.
Dance and undulate.
Lick, flicker, and prance -
Rotate, jump, and gyrate.
Reach to Heaven
And let our prayers hitch a ride
On the heat and the smoke
While your spent wax glides
Down your smooth candle-sides
And pools on the glass votive bottom below.
Reach with your brethren
Up to Heaven
As the heavy, incensed Hallelujahs
Waft up
To the rafters
To the hereafter
And reach the throne room of the Majestic Almighty God:

“Lord, hear our prayer.”

J.M.S.

ravenswingpoetry — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:26:45 +0000

I followed your maps
I followed the legends
I walked your rivers,
connected your words,
and see your face.
Patti passed you your torch.
Now you pass me mine.

Raven's Wing Poetry » worship

Hallelujah

Gypsy

Flame Journey

J.M.S.