Here we are all new and fresh for 2019. So glad you are here. I do have a poem for you this AM. It occurred to me yesterday afternoon and I played with it several time since. Just in case you haven’t been with us in the last month I have been writing about the idea that I was looking for a change in the focus of the blog and also a wish for more poetry. So, we will have some fits and starts I suppose but nothing that will stop us.
So here is my first poem. I’m calling it prose poetry and that may or may not be technically but it is in Felipé World. This particular piece is very knightly as you will see.
Show Me The Armorer
Happy to be able to run along side.
Happy to be doing the damage
That can be done with this sharp stick.
This stick that I snatched in passing
In the wake of this clumsy beast.
Having opened a wound in its flank
Nothing really to what needs to be done
But I persist.
I live to do this damage.
Show me its Achilles heel. Show me its vitals.
I thrust, I thrust and my stick bends and breaks
Having been asked too much
Of its warm hearted spirit.
Maybe I would sell my soul
For a weapon worthy of this work.
I dream of this tool
Made from the metals of the molten earth
Forged into cold hearted death.
It would be capable. I would summon the strength
To wield it. To thrust it so
To make even God shutter.
Show me the armorer that could produce this weapon.
Have him work night and day using the finest materials
And the most unholy secrets.
I run along side the wound I have opened.
“Show me the armorer!”, I yell.
Run cancer run, you cruel beast, do your cruel work today
But know
I have your tomorrow.
Phil Volker Knight Poetica
New Year’s loves, Felipé.
Phil,
Absolutely amazing. If this is your first attempt, Sir Poet, I can’t wait for more! I copied and pasted for my neighbor, Jan, as your poem is a must read for all of us cancer warriors. Thank you.
Jean ~ thanks for your kind remarks. Yes, give it to Jan and say hello for me. And, yes I am just starting out. Will have more as they come. Happy New Year. Felipé.x
That is a powerful poem Phil. I will wield prayer against the beast.
And also offer praise in this beautiful day, each one new.
Michelle ~ hope to see you more often in the new year. Tapas Tuesday and Sunday afternoons. Having fun with the poetry. Felipé.x
Dear Felipe, Knight Poetica,
What a an amazing” voice” has appeared this first day of the year 2019 in your blog. We Caminoheads are used to the “aw shucks” just “walking in the mud” pilgrim voice who is always trying to figure things out. This new voice rings like Michael the Archangel driving the demons out of heaven, or St. Patrick, the snakes out o’ Ireland. So powerful! Thank you for your poem, for showing us a glimpse of the warrior spirit that has kept you going, all these years in spite of the odds. I have always prayed and will continue to do so that the Armorer, forges that sword that you can wield one more time against that which is yours to fight, or befriend, simply accept as yours to walk with on the journey. Sweet dreams dear knight. Thank you and, well done.
Thank you Catherine, kind words and helpful words. Doing my best to channel. Somehow the poetry allows this to happen. Somehow I feel freer. Don’t know what will happen next. Felipe.x
Dear Felipe, Knight poetica,
What a powerful new voice emerges through the medium of poetry. We caminoheads are so used to the “Aw shucks” just a pilgrim “Walking through the mud,” voice that has mused and proposed questions and thoughts discovered answers or at least enough so to move on, take more steps, towards this new destination. Suddenly (although nothing happens suddenly, it only seems that way, we are privileged to hear a new voice speaking in the poem “The Armorer” the voice of a inner warrior who has been crusading to wage against the cancer beast. What you have written and gifted us with is stunning really, a glimpse at another side to our dearest pilgrim friend. May the new year, indeed, bring the you the metal and continued courage to carry on, while posting poems here and walking through the mud out there. New Year Blessings.
Catherine ~ I see you double wrote a comment. I think there is a little lag in the works. Maybe it just doesn’t appear immediately. PFJ had the same trouble a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for your persistence. Felipe.x
Oh, Knight Poetica, that was quite a poem.
May the muse continue to inspire you.
Thinking of you today.
xx
d
Dana ~ hi. It was quite the poem and probably too strong to start with but when one is channeling there doesn’t seem to be a lot of leeway. That was at the top of the deck. Hope you are resting up from all the grueling festivities. We need a movie night soon. Felipé.x
Sir Felipe, Knight of the Sword,
While the strength of this work seemed to take some of your following by surprise, it did not have the same effect on me. We’re truly too much “brothers of another Mother” to have that attack mode prose come as any real surprise. For you and I, sons of the earth, it’s a built-in response when attacked to “fight back” using whatever tools are available, all the while wishing and praying for better tools, sharper tools, stronger tools. And so many times, a stick is the closest and handiest and often an extremely effective tool. So basic, so primitive, and oh! so handy! And as trained warriors, we both know the guys you want with you when the shit gets really bad are the guys that have always been a little on the quiet side, maybe even a little on the timid side, but who know within a fraction of an inch just how far they can be pushed. And when that self-imposed limit has been reached, there is a nearly explosive counter reaction to whomever or whatever is doing the pushing. You’ve dealt with the Cancer bad guy stolidly, deliberately, doggedly. I was always intrigued by the way you even tried the “bargaining” route. But this wonderful prose/poetry lets the “Quiet Man” off his leash, going eyeball to eyeball with the Bad Dude and letting him know, that, if given that perfect weapon, you’re not going to hesitate for a second to brandish it, to drive it home into the evil heart of Cancer, and rid the world of its scourge.
The Quiet Man
The soft-spoken one.
Look into the friendly eyes.
Here the welcome of his voice.
And the laughter, springing up so easily.
Eat and drink happily and heartily at his table.
Revel in the pleasantness of his talk and his thoughts.
Accept all that he’ll gladly give you,
Because he would give you all that he has.
But belittle him not for his indulgences to us,
And mistake not the strength of his purpose
As some kind of weakness.
There is steel there annealed by years of honest work
Hard work.
And when summoned
That steel forged with the unquenchable fires of Faith and Love,
Will fight the good fight
As long as it takes.
Behold
The Quiet Man
SF
PFJ
Juan, I don’t see any credit there for that prose poem. Was that you man? Are we rising to the occasion together here? On FaceBook today: “I didn’t come this far just to come this far.” SF, Felipé.
Hail, Poet in Chief,
All mine. Every well-meant word and nuance thereof. Deal with it.
SF,
PFJ
PFJ ~ you’re just a damn peach. And I don’t say that to many guys. A sincere thanks. PFF.
Wow Pilgrim Phil…congrats…awesome poem…you tapped the reservoir of the poetic spirit! Next step dear gallant knight warrior…(and I’d love to help you do this) move it in the body; physically wield that sword and shout out to the universe! hmmmmm…The Way of St. James ~
Janet ~ It’s all in a delicate balance out here in the poetry jungle. Baby steps, Felipé.x