Here is Herotomost's introduction to this poem in his dVerse Poets Pub prompt Trolling The Cosmos for Breadcrumbs........
"Deep in the swamp you come across a dilapidated wooden structure, a shack on stilts. On the porch is what looks to be this twelve year old boy. You climb from your skiff and make your way on to the porch. As you approach, you look into the brown eyes of the boy and your heart stops beating in your chest. You hook gazes with the boy whose eyes are empty and full at the same time. When you look deeper you can see the universe spinning in each eye, stars forming, planets winking out, the cries of an infinite number of organic life forms. You snap out of your trance long enough to ask him the question......'What is the Universal Truth?' "
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| Swamp by Polyraspad via Imaaginary Garden with Real Toads. |
Oh, you're
here for the potluck, the boy said.
As one of the
cooks or one of the dead?
“Dead?” I rocked backward and he
caught my arm.
“Which are you?” I choked, but he
meant no harm.
Harmony, at
your service, he bowed, Sleuths
like that name
better than Universal Truth.
“Truth is what I’m here for,” I
admitted,
returned his sweet bow, and climbed as
he led.
Leaded glass windows framed his wooden
hall—
I stepped in—whoa!—sun bathed glory on
all!
All but Harmony’s eyes where planets
swirled
as he led me backwards into his world.
Worlds don’t
stay, he sighed. Like water in streams
and rivers,
they feed seas and human dreams.
Dreams must be
fed, he said. I hope you’ll stay
to eat the
soup all earth’s people have made.
Neither cook
nor dead but guest you would be—
just another
planet toasting health with me.
From the open door I smelled tomato-
vegetable soup and heard voices below.
There were humans and animals eating
soup, some spooning some slurping, all
meeting
In groups at bread-filled tables,
their stories,
translations and laughter in the light
breeze.
Any questions?
Harmony
asked. No. No.
I descended the stairs, joined in,
aglow.
Looking over my shoulder, I was not
surprised to see no one stood in his
spot.
Harmony flowed through eating together
in changing constellations forever.
You made me travel with you into this boy's eyes.. very nice to move through those constellation.. I just wonder if the truth was possible to understand.
ReplyDeletereally enjoyed this little fairytale-ish poem. and the soup....yes, you made me a bit hungry. :) really love the idea of changing constellations!!
ReplyDeletestacy lynn mar
http://warningthestars.blogspot.com/
The rhyme carries this poem in a sweet cadence and the sentiment is nourishing.
ReplyDeleteSigh. I love the humans and animals eating together........thus "changing constellations forever." From your mouth to God's ears.
ReplyDeleteHarmony flowed through eating together
ReplyDeletein changing constellations forever.
Great ending Susan! It is the company that counts. One dines together and reap the benefits of good company.
Hank
what an interesting meal that would be...i wonder what taste the world would have in a soup...and would our first taste me a moment of realization...or would it be one of disgust...
ReplyDeleteLovely rhyme and cadence and a soup that's made by Harmony sounds pretty good. Thanks. k.
ReplyDeleteIt carries the reader along very nicely.
ReplyDeleteHow well this reads and it gives us some understanding of being just another ingredient in this vast soupy world.
ReplyDeleteloved this story..interesting.
ReplyDeletelike Brian Miller stated, the earth would probably have a smokey, rusty taste.
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem telling a unique little story. I liked how you used rhyme in the poem.
ReplyDeleteOne of your best Susan!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Oh this is just wonderful - lush and lovely :)
ReplyDeletelovely vision.you have captured the essence of fairy tales with aplomb.
ReplyDeleteWonderful imagery to go along with the premise and the picture...like others I felt as if I were in a fairy-tale, fantasy adventure.
ReplyDeleteI got even more from it the second time ( morning versus evening comprehension, lol) and this is a truly fantastic vision of what could be.........I especially love the bread-filled tables, and your closing lines.
ReplyDeleteAmazing point of view! A great telling of a world living in harmony with each other! Tops, no doubt!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful Susan. I love the dreamy harmony you've depicted. Oh if only! But we must keep dreaming.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm posting a reponse to your prompt this mid-week. I couldn't post then. Lost internet for several days. (New Mexico rains expressing climate change.)
"...I hope you’ll stay
ReplyDeleteto eat the soup all earth’s people have made."
LOVE those lines. It feels like a request to Please look at what they have don and make it better!. Or a growls that says, You aren't going anywhere, buddy. You'll stay until the end.
Very complex dinner....
Ah, humans and animals eating together in harmony. I really like that picture.
ReplyDelete'Oh, you're here for the potluck, the boy said.
ReplyDeleteAs one of the cooks or one of the dead?'
What a wonderful way to open a poem! I am glad in the end it was possible to be just a guest.
Very vivid, and visceral poem. Well fitting the prompt.
ReplyDeleteSusan, you have one upped yourself every time on my prompts that last several months...it fills me up. You writing has been nothing short of amazing. I actually commented on this while we were in Vegas but for some reason it didn't make it through. This is one I wish was longer, a complete short or snippet of a novel. Fantastic.....Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI read this as an allegorical fantasy--the feeling that in the end all things are one. Beautiful. And thanks for the comment on Winter is Past--do you suppose you could review it on Amazon or Goodreads (or both)? Or even here? Thanks, Susan.
ReplyDeleteThis has such a magical and peaceful feel to it Susan.....your prose is poetry and your poetry is prose. A lovely write indeed!!
ReplyDeleteUniversal truth... I've pondered that A LOT over the years, and modified my beliefs regarding it as I lived, learned, evolved. Your tale is one that sparks additional thought. Nicely done, Susan!
ReplyDelete