The Alchemist...
The ‘shadows grow long’, youthful zest wanes,
Dreams are dimming, the Abyss is yawning ever wider,
Smiles have retired,
And, Meaning, like some elusive chimera, fades fast...
Nothingness is longed for,
Enough of pain,
Enough of angst-filled fear,
Enough of hollow tomorrows...
All his life, the Alchemist has worked his magic to transmute the leaden shackles of others into golden, scintillating freedoms,
But, how is he going to free himself?
When he longs to grasp the Ferryman’s hand, whether it leads to Nirvana or to Hades?
Amidst all this, appears yet another suffering soul before him,
Entreating him to free her,
She’s in a sorry state,
Although strong in body,
Eyes are drooping,
Desire is all but dead,
Hope has eloped,
Youthful joy has turned to a senses-dulling dread...
Sighing, like an old and dying lion of the desert, way past its prime, life’s essence long drained out of him,
The Alchemist musters his craft once more,
Like a worn-out dervish,
He begins the dance which entices innocents to join in...
Slowly but surely, she joins in,
Her youthful body moves in ways that would have sparked the Alchemist’s desire in times past,
Now, he only dances,
Vigorously outwardly,
Whilst within, his inner child is weeping softly and disconsolately...
Finally, the job is done,
The sparkle has once again returned to her eyes,
Her shoulders are humming in tune with the rhythm,
She’s once again the Siren she’s used to being...
But, what of the Alchemist?
He’s treading water,
He’s laughing at the terror that engulfs him,
Within, within though,
The inner-child awaits more hollow tomorrows...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: Apr 2012
Comments (16)
Good to hear from you again. The Alchemist can perform his magic tricks but he knows that's what they are...slight of hand...words of wisdom, encouragement, confidence but can they sustain? Can they turn base metal into gold? Another thought provoking write. Cheers mate.
funny how we all read the same words,yet see a different thing.
nice write...elo
ps...curiosity killed the cat
My view as seen, tis about time the Alchemist stop draining himself healing others pain for awhile..Have a holiday! time to receive and relax a tad.
Thanks for sharing
Hugss poet friend Livy x
18 hours ago
Hi EGT,
Good to hear from you again. The Alchemist can perform his magic tricks but he knows that's what they are...slight of hand...words of wisdom, encouragement, confidence but can they sustain? Can they turn base metal into gold? Another thought provoking write. Cheers mate.]
Thanks for your thought provoking comment MacDuff...
23 hours ago
hi Egt
funny how we all read the same words,yet see a different thing.
nice write...elo
ps...curiosity killed the cat
thanks for your praise dear Elo, much appreciated, and yea, i agree, there are a 'thousand' different shades of green, depending on who's looking...
23 hours ago
A very good write Earlgreytea
My view as seen, tis about time the Alchemist stop draining himself healing others pain for awhile..Have a holiday! time to receive and relax a tad.
Thanks for sharing
good advice, thanks very much...
He’s treading water,
He’s laughing at the terror that engulfs him,
Within, within though,
The inner-child awaits more hollow tomorrows...
I read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho a year or two back... I found it a most interesting read... As I did your poem EGT...Nice to see your smile grace the corner once in a while.
thanks for sharing
Sun Apr 29, 2012 12:17 AM
Its so nice to see you Earl and a lovely write M.M
thanks dear MM...