On void and nothingness

A void is an emptiness left by what used to fill a certain space,
and the vessel that used to carry what abandoned it -- if one
listens close enough -- exudes a palpable yearning, sighs
a desperate longing, for what used to give it meaning.

Nothingness, on the other hand, has always been
since the beginning of time, and in perpetuity,
never to be missed by anything
or anyone.

...

Semantics aside, this is really another attempt at concrete poetry: a drawing of a form which I intended to look like the bow of a ship (i.e. "the vessel that used to carry"). I think it already appears that way, doesn't it? Here's my first concrete poem on this blog: Chalice.

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Chalice

My arms form a chalice: my wrists joined together,

its node; my hands open, its cup. And your face,

like wine, fills its void, perfectly, and I drink

all the world’s beauty, burning in my

palms, your eyes searing my heart.

Time freezes,

submitting

to this

ritual,

sacrament

of soul

and

flesh.

But you

 are also

grains of sand,

slipping through my fingers,

emptying my hands, till only your spirit remains.

* * *

I believe this is only my second attempt at concrete poetry; the first one, written two decades ago -- entitled "Buildings" if I remember right -- I no longer have a copy of.)

Update (June 22, 2014): Coincidence? This morning at Sunday Mass, my family was asked to forward the bread and wine to the priest, and I carried the bottle of wine, which was poured into...the chalice! And today is the Celebration of the Eucharist!  

This blog is sponsored by Limitado

phone nos. 09167840522/ 023588753

and S.P.R.A.W.L.-MMA

3rd floor JN Building, 657 EDSA corner Monte De Piedad Street, Barangay Immaculate Concepcion, Cubao, Quezon City

Contact Number:             0910-440-8035      ;             0907-302-0384      ;            0927-703-6912