(I’m exploring poetry through images by tapping into the extensive collection of theLibrary of Congress on Flickr. There are some amazing images shared with the public and more coming every month or two, it seems. What can inspire you? Be sure to cite where you got the image from. Use Alan Levine’s Flickr Attribution tool and your life is a breeze.)
flickr photo shared by The Library of Congress with no copyright restriction (Flickr Commons)
The Great Warrior
knows better
than to trust the One who seems
smaller than
the eyeThe Great Warrior
sees beyond
the scale of days behind him,
falling into
days aheadThe Great Warrior
understands this,
fears this, too –this coming change
pushing into
his WorldThe Great Warrior
contemplates You –
consumes You in his mind —
swallows you
whole.Blinks.
Process Note: This is an image of the eye of the American Indian leader, Geronimo, with the reflection of the photographer in Geronimo’s pupil. It’s an odd, evocative image, with deep (sad) symbolism, right? I had this idea of the shift of the world underway as the photo is being snapped. Even as the American tribes knew terrible change was afoot, they could do little to stop it.
Peace (to all),
Kevin
This poem hurts my heart. That blink.