I had – outwalked, the amiable light –
and arrived at that moody phantasmal place
between dusk and dark
when the canyon walls of the city
morph – at the coming, of the night –
to black, cold onyx mirrored reflections
and it came to me: I had wandered
into a thousand déjà
vus, as my footsteps fell
in haunting echoes – and white . . . ghostly shivers.
note: Black onyx is
believed to release negative emotions such as sorrow and grief and sharpen your
senses. Black stones have protective
energies in that: black is the absence
of light and can be used to create invisibility.
photo: The
Vancouver Art Gallery on Hornby St. This
elegant neoclassical building, has been used in more than 100 TV and movie productions,
including Night at the Museum. With its columns,
central dome, formal porticos, and ornate stonework it is a hub of creativity
and activism in the City.
©
2014 Wendy Bourke
Wow ... what atmosphere here ... I can hear the click of heels on the pavement and the quiet in between ... well done, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThat hour of the day - between dusk and dark - I find, often evokes such a moody atmosphere.
Deletewandered into 1000 deja vus....that gives a shiver of a feel...really nice on the imagery in this as well...
ReplyDeleteThe corner of Hornby and Robson is such a hive of people and ideas and art – amidst millions of footsteps – and the Gallery, itself, has stood there since its completion in 1906. It really wrote the words: “a thousand déjà vus for me”.
DeleteActually, to clarify, the building, itself, began as the BC Provincial Court House - the first level of trial court in British Columbia for criminal, family and child protection cases. It was renovated in 1983 by architect Arthur Erickson and while maintaining aspects of turn of the century architecture – it is also very modern in design. It is very much a "people place" - a gathering spot for street vendors, musicians, protestors and artists – hence: “a thousand déjà vus”.
ReplyDeleteVery thought-provoking, Wendy! I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to wander into a thousand déjà vus!
ReplyDeleteWell, now that you mention it . . . . . . Smiles!
ReplyDeleteWow Wendy, this is superb. I could feel the goose bumps!
ReplyDeleteAs always, Jennifer (over how many years now?) - Thank you so much.
ReplyDeletea great mysterious feel all through...specially the space and time in between dusk and dark, black cold onyx and the déjà vus around a 'people place'.....this is the
ReplyDeletedelight of a poem...beautiful...
That time of the day does cast a mysterious feeling, doesn't it - I suppose that is why so many mystery plots are set at the hour become total darkness.
DeleteIt feels like a walk that took you into parts of remembrance that maybe was not wished for but still maybe good. Love the mix of metaphors and reality..
ReplyDeleteYes, the meanderings of one's mind pinned against a walk in a physical place.
DeleteI like how you take us from reality into thoughts and anxiety, Wendy! Great imagery in your poem. I particularly like 'the canyon walls of the city'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely, insightful comments, Gabriella!
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