Kindled by the sun-warmed high-desert soil
Bright patches
Glow on untamed hillsides.
Is this the edge of the world?
What lies beyond
This vermilion brilliance?
Is this a portent of
The raging fires of hell?
Hot and flaming,
Almost smell of smoke,
Of scorched flesh
And singed hair
Assaults the senses.
Or perhaps the splendid spread
Reflects the glorious gleam
Of heaven's infinitely broad
Golden boulevards.
What lies beyond these poppy fields?
Aside from your flair with words, you're a genius in the art of poetic discourse (particulary in this poem) in that you withheld something for readers to unravel.
Well chosen title, great images, nice and easy rhythm, words imbued with just the right amount of intensity and energy. The 4th para is quite disquieting (reminds me of Milton's Paradise Lost) but it is redeemed by the next one. ' Of heaven's infinitely broad Golden boulevards' this line is like rare wine. Take care
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Heaven and Hell our inventions unsound What has been will be so again We go from hence to come around Brighter and better without a taint....... This is the karmic view of Hinduism which involves cycles of life and death till you get enlightened and dissolve (get off the merry go round of joy and pain of repeated births/deaths) into the very source of creation refereed to as God or creator. Good poem, and I welcome you to my page too.....