Alpine Ghazal

June 5th, 2008 by Fraser

When plates shift, we all must dance to their slow music.
The holy high places are laid low - but - oh, music!

I’m calling out, a small thing among these hills:
are you close enough, if you hear, to know music?

Where I grew up, the mountains had imported names.
They knew their older names in winter-snow-music.

You would be salt for the roads, warmth for the journey;
would I be pilgrim enough, though, Music?

I’ll chip away at the rock face, blow by blow
and find - in me - a safe place to stow music.

I have ears, limbs, two good lungs. I have the words!
But Fraser, you risk an avalanche! You must forgo music.

(for a description of the rules of the ghazal form, click here.)

Posted in Poems

4 Responses

  1. Matt

    Man, that is absolutely fantastic. You are nailing these guzzles.

  2. KT

    Yeah um, at risk of looking like I’m just being polite or something because I say this every time, Fraser, you are a talented creature. Do more of these!

  3. Christina

    Pure magic. You’re gifted, dude.

  4. Matthew P

    Yes, well done :)

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