2/2/23 – A Poem by Margaret Atwood

                 Siren Song

This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:

the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls

the song nobody knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.

Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?

I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical

with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.

I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song

is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique

at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.

Reflective writing prompt:

Write about a song that was utterly captivating
or
About an irresistible force

One thought on “2/2/23 – A Poem by Margaret Atwood

  1. Anita Lim

    Write about a song that was utterly captivating:

    Melting

    A wintry Sunday morning
    In a hallowed place
    Unfamiliar, medieval, quaint
    I stand, the unknown haunting melody
    surrounds and washes over me,
    gently lapping at the edges
    summoning a response
    touching hidden depths
    tears unbidden spring up, overflow
    shoulders heave as
    words flash on the screen
    strength within the sorrow
    working in our waiting
    beyond our understanding
    teaching us to trust
    in the fire and the flood

    How is endless praise possible
    what the enemy means for evil
    you turn it for our good
    Stone walls, ancient wooden beams
    breath warm in the cold air
    Look up at the rafters
    my eyes stare at the cursive script
    lettering in faded red and gold paint
    My heart is pierced to read
    Blessed are those who mourn
    melancholy and desperate hope,
    the ingredients of salty tears
    two decades wandering in the wilderness
    meet at this pivot
    she was born here, you brought me back
    to underline you are
    Faithful forever, perfect in love

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