God offers to every mind its choice between truth and
repose. Take which you please, — you can never have both. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is a freedom in the naked truth
when all that is and can truly be
is laid before the
world
it gives a lightness of being
that secrets can never provide
my heart knows this truth
like a mother knows her child
my soul has carried it
like a homeless man
with a duffle bag full of all he owns
it is a weary journey
one that leaves no strength
and steals peace
bit by bit
like a pilfer and an unguarded house
I left that place years ago
and laid my burdens down
in the middle of a crowded street
lifting prayers higher than a bar-headed goose
the day I chose to speak the truth.
Come join us!
Speaking the truth doesn't always bring help to the speaker. Can be trouble. Thanks for introducing to me the "bar-headed goose", yes they do fly really high.
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To be on the side of Truth is always a hard journey. "lifting prayers higher than a bar-headed goose" touches deeply.
ReplyDeleteSecrets are burdensome indeed. Happy Sunday
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much love
my heart knows this truth
ReplyDeletelike a mother knows her child
my soul has carried it
like a homeless man
The words depict exactly what is the naked truth. To conform is expected of us to uphold. Wonderful words Carrie!
Hank
Mr. Emerson is right. But I'm not sure that there is not some repose--as well as freedom--in truth. Besides, anything worth having, as they say, costs something.
ReplyDelete"my soul has carried it
ReplyDeletelike a homeless man
with a duffle bag full of all he owns"
such a vivid analogy for knowing what you know and speaking truth. A truly powerful response to the prompt
"lifting prayers higher than a bar-headed goose" - great!
ReplyDeletethe way you take the stasis from the idea of lying burdens down amazes me; life as a continued statement is a powerful image.
ReplyDeleteLove the spirituality of this. Great images
ReplyDeleteThe images, the music you chose, your words ... especially 'laid my burdens down
ReplyDeletein the middle of a crowded street' ... touched me deeply.
The burden of secrets to the lightness of truth. What we carry can weigh us down becoming too heavy for us to bear. I'm struck by the duality of the homeless man who carries all of his possessions with him so as to not lose anything, to the unguarded house that has its contents stolen bit by bit. But to lay everything down in a crowded street... it's there for all to see/take/walk away with etc. It's no longer one person's burden to bear alone. And there is a freedom in letting it all go.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the weight throughout the poem but, you lifted up prayers of hope in the end. Sometimes we carry all that we are within us and need to just let a few items fall from that duffel bag to make the journey easier.
ReplyDeleteSo powerful! "my soul has carried it like a homeless man with a duffle bag full of all he owns" - what a great line! Truth journeys can be weary indeed. Loved this poem, Carrie, especially "lifting prayers higher than a bar-headed goose".
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are very aware of where you've traveled on your journey so far.
ReplyDeleteCarrie- this is one of my favorites of yours. It is stark and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis poem truly touches me in its sincerity and power.
ReplyDeleteThe journey of truth can put you sideways with many. I have learned that hard lesson the last few years. It is a journey I will continue to travel. Powerful writing, grateful I stopped by to read it today.
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