Rituals help us see death in terms of what it is not: It is not an ending but a passage to something different and new, something better and easier. Though this month is about exploring our deepest fears and for most living things the deepest of our deep fears is death, rituals are how we keep that fear at a distance even when it is in front of us.
Example Poem: “Our Fear” by Zbigniew Herbert from All Poetry
Our Fear
Our fear
does not wear a night shirt
does not have owl’s eyes
does not lift a casket lid
does not extinguish a candle
does not have a dead man’s face either
our fear
is a scrap of paper
found in a pocket
‘warn Wójcik
the place on Dluga Street is hot’
our fear
does not rise on the wings of the tempest
does not sit on a church tower
it is down-to-earth
it has the shape
of a bundle made in haste
with warm clothing
provisions
and arms
our fear
does not have the face of a dead man
the dead are gentle to us
we carry them on our shoulders
sleep under the same blanket
close their eyes
adjust their lips
pick a dry spot
and bury them
not too deep
not too shallow
~Zbigniew Herbert
What does using the inclusive “our” do in this poem?
Prompt: Using rituals and ritualistic actions, describe a fear—a specific fear, or fear in general—in terms of what it is not.
Possible form: Etheree
~
We Do This Every Day
Ash.
Folded.
Name unspoke.
We light the lamp—
three wicks, not one, please—
a superstition, maybe.
We set out bread for the unseen,
salt for luck, water for the past.
Every morning we practice dying right—
quiet hands, clean corners, breath held just so.
We wash our faces like mourners do,
press palms together, bow to absence.
Our laughter comes rationed, respectful.
We call it peace. We call it patience.
We do not run, we endure beautifully.
Fear, you sly embalmer,
you made us saints
of small tasks,
of stillness,
of dust.
~ Oizys.
I really like how you used the form, and that ending addressing Fear is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHuge thanks, Maria. Your attention to detail and constant appreciation make a real difference. Knowing you’ll catch the nuances and beautifully highlight what’s working keeps me focused and confident. I’m not perfect; there are days I wobble, delay, and let a few posts slip into backlog. But with your feedback in my corner, I regroup quickly and find my rhythm again. That blend of rigor and encouragement is rare and it shows in the art we all create. Grateful for the partnership, this poetry challenge, and the bar you help set.
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