Evanescence

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An entreaty from the heart

encounters an abyssal echo

Awareness again and again

of the saturnine color of empty

In calamitous dreams

the emptiness is immediate

running from the dark

and relentless absence

Saints and sinners long departed

wandering the back roads

sifting through the remains

Surely even they know

The hazards, steadfast, are many

Gatekeeper what price is asked

what payment can I bestow

To perish the barrens of reflection

— Michael Anthony, Oct 12, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: San Francisco Bay Area - USA, USA

Favorite Poets: Bukowski, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Haiku & Harvey Kurtzman (a visual poet, of sorts)

Critiques

Candlewitch

16 years 8 months ago

hello

I read this poem several times and cannot fathom the meaning. To me it is completely obscure. Sorry. It is nicely presented and the spellings are correct. Could you please tell me what message you were trying to get across,as I am interested? Always, Cat

Bonitaj

16 years 8 months ago

why Cat!

I think I get it! or at least I hope I do Michael... here goes: Here is someone, left with stark loneliness by a 'break up' of sorts. "an entreaty from the heart" - he begs to know why... from "OUT THERE?" and no answers are forthcoming. 'again and again' an awareness of the colour of empty' (ok different word order - but the message is the same). This same searching for answers is repeated throughout the poem cf. 3 & 4 Stanza's. I particularly liked the last verse: 'Gatekeeper - what price is asked, what payment can I bestow' as if he were paying to get through to the other side of ignorance.... Hope I'm right on this one Michael - it's up to you to explain more! I quite liked it! Cheers Boni

Candlewitch

16 years 8 months ago

Because, Boni

I simply didn't get it, and I still don't. That is my honest response. Always, Cat

Michael Anthony

16 years 8 months ago

Hi Cat!

No offense was taken for not liking this work. We all have different tastes in the things we like. I appreciate you taking the time anyway. Quite often I do not "get" poems that I read, but I believe that they can be appreciated in many other ways. Poetry can be an ethereal thing, with an often tenuous grasp on specific interpretations. At least this has been my experience. Sometimes all I can do with a work is to admire it's structure, or the use of certain words, or the phrases used. Boni's interpretation is pretty accurate. It was a rumination on the desire to stop being tortured by thoughts of a failed love. The title was a bit of a clue in that the meaning of Evanescence is to dissipate. Thanks again for stopping by. Best Mike

Candlewitch

16 years 8 months ago

hi Mike

Thank you so much for the explanation, it is much appreciated. I'm glad you took no offense as none was intended. Always, Cat