Does clarity come with a shroud?

Question

Shrouded eyes

I am tasting this taste again

a bitter, salty tasting wafer

served on communion’s plate

offered as if salvation bid.

This wafer, heavy on my tongue

and dry, so very dry to chew

yet, salt and bitters somehow comfort.

Is it penance or disillusionment?

Do I kneel now and genuflect,

wear again the shroud upon my eyes,

bandage my ears to muffle cries

and prostrate myself beneath the sky?

Or do I think about the light once more

as if this clichéd metaphor speaks?

And yet it seems much different now.

Is the light’s portal calling me?

Does this mean then finally… clarity?

Removal of my darkened shroud at last?

Or am I eternally damned to ever wonder,

a postulant to the universe, course unknown?

Or am I simply dead?

Answer 1

Blind faith at times, doubting Thomas at times.

Yet through out, "God meets me where I am" and gives me what I need if I am open, Clarity, only as much as I can handle!

You have written an amazing poem! Bravo!

Answer 2

You are not dead.  You are human.  We question.  It is our nature.

Answer 3

Very provocative and I wouldn't say you are dead...just confused and curious as we all are.  These are questions I think we all ask at some point in our lives.  I've resigned myself to the belief that there is no way of knowing what my purpose is in this life except to learn and grow as a good person.  As a result, I've just decided to go with the flow and see where it takes me.   Excellent poem...Well done.

Answer 4

The first line of stanza 3 is confused. Why "and?" To "genuflect" IS to bend the knee (genu=knee, flex=bend). Often, when Christians do this, they simultaneously make the sign of the cross. Are you trying to say that? Another thing that confuses me is "bitter." Is this poetic license? Is there actually something in a wafer that makes it bitter, or is it a metaphor for a certain emotion? (Remember, I'm in the wine business. We take these descriptive terms of taste and smell seriously.) I have never experienced communion, but I have come within seconds of dying. It seems that you are associating the two experiences. Is that right? It seems odd to me. I thought that the promise of Christianity and its rituals  was the gift of eternal life in heaven. Does this poem contradict that? I guess I just don't know enough to be able to understand this poem.

Answer 5

As humans, we seek clarity, but then we mask it with uncertainty in our fog filled minds.  Good piece.

I hope the answer is clear.

Answer 6

Clarity with a shroud is like fitting curtains to a window.

I think if we humans were meant to have clarity we would have been designed with no eyelids and self-cleaning eyes.

A deep and thoughtful set of words there Neonman. Thank you. My compliments.

Answer 7

This poem is powered by philosophical  ambiguity. Normally ambiguity is not a poetic virtue but you have overcome that  obstacle and made the lack of resolution  essential . The ultimate in rhetorical poetry. Bravo! to you and your poem.

Answer 8

We all see through that glass darkly and are condemned, if that be the right word,  to work out our own salvation, whatever that means to each of us.  I don't feel you have to know the answer.   But be aware of the question.  Thanks for making me think.

I really appreciate your imagery

Answer 9

"Hi!"

As per always a great piece of poetry from the Neoman. with political view inspired.

I do believe we shroud our eyes and bandage our ears purely for our own ignorance to the world around us.

A great poem to send to your president.

WELL DONE!

Cheers.  : )