O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

If We Burn

Posted on December 10, 2014 by robert okaji

If We Burn

What flares instead to replace our
privileged nights? And which

assemblage of words could reorder these
deaths into comprehension,

change I can’t breathe from epitaph
to actuated plea for help?

Are words ever enough?
Can we stack our indifference and fear

into a mile-high pyre, and torching it
watch them rise to nothingness,

disappearing through the clouds
into the streaming light of cold, dark stars?

Raise your hands and sing. Blow softly
upon the ember. Inhale and recall.

Do you still feel? Will you breathe?
Every fire needs oxygen.

56 thoughts on “If We Burn”

Paislee Blu on December 10, 2014 at 6:24 pm said:

Wow–Bravo!

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- robert okaji on December 10, 2014 at 7:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks!
  
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A Former Prison Librarian on December 10, 2014 at 7:10 pm said:

Your words… they are haunting.

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:53 pm said:
  
  Thank you. Or at least I think that’s a good thing.
  
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- Maggie on December 16, 2014 at 5:23 am said:
  
  I completely agree. Extremely haunting! I haven’t been able to get on your blog as often as I want Robert (restrictions in school…not sure why!) but this is haunting and mesmerising. My favourite lines are:
  
  “Are words ever enough?
  Can we stack our indifference and fear
  
  into a mile-high pyre, and torching it
  watch them rise to nothingness,”
  
  Wow! Shivers!
  
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  - robert okaji on December 16, 2014 at 6:05 am said:
    
    I’m glad you made it, Maggie. And thanks for your kind words.
    
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    - Maggie on December 17, 2014 at 7:50 am said:
      
      Anytime! And they are completely deserved.
      
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pi314chron on December 10, 2014 at 7:11 pm said:

Incredible concept. phrasing, linking, …everything! I would add only this thought:

if we burn
we shall surely make an ash
out of ourselves

(Did you really think I was going to be serious?!)

Warmest Always,

Ron

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Well, almost. But no. I considered the source. 🙂
  
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Morrow on December 10, 2014 at 7:31 pm said:

I can’t get over this one–well worth the 2nd read, or more. Phenomenal.

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Then I’ve done something right. Thank you.
  
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SalvaVenia on December 10, 2014 at 9:19 pm said:

The mob might be waiting somewhere, already … 🙂

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:
  
  They’re there.
  
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  - SalvaVenia on December 11, 2014 at 6:21 pm said:
    
    Better to be prepared, then … 🙂
    
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Lorien on December 10, 2014 at 10:43 pm said:

Beautiful, powerful, and magical! And the images were very effective too. Well done!

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much. I’m glad you think so.
  
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vivachange77 on December 11, 2014 at 7:03 am said:

Deeply moving. You use the power of “mere” words to speak truth into the fearful space of violence and racism we are inhabiting. I like “change ‘I can’t breathe’ from epitaph to actuated plea for help”.

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:57 pm said:
  
  Words aren’t enough, but they’re what I have to offer at this time, in this place.
  
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taknovrthewrld on December 11, 2014 at 3:25 pm said:

Reblogged this on Taknovrthewrld and commented:
by robert okaji

This. This is good.

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- robert okaji on December 11, 2014 at 4:50 pm said:
  
  Thanks for reblogging!
  
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willow1945 on December 11, 2014 at 7:45 pm said:

Powerful, Robert. I read it as a call back to life and passion. Wonderful!

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you, as always.
  
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iknowalex on December 12, 2014 at 4:23 am said:

The logos is strong in you !

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 5:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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Write Now on December 12, 2014 at 9:14 am said:

Reblogged this on Write Now and commented:
gorgeous writing, powerful restraint

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 5:49 pm said:
  
  I appreciate the reblog!
  
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Nadine Tomlinson on December 12, 2014 at 11:31 am said:

So many great “moments” in this poem. I feel its power.

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 5:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Nadine. I appreciate your comment.
  
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tjefferys on December 12, 2014 at 1:28 pm said:

Lovely Robert, thank you.

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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midnighttheblues on December 12, 2014 at 8:07 pm said:

Reblogged this on midnighttheblues.

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- robert okaji on December 12, 2014 at 8:47 pm said:
  
  Thank you for reblogging.
  
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midnighttheblues on December 12, 2014 at 8:10 pm said:

Thank you. I reblogged this..May it cast some light in dark moment.

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Sheila Sea on December 13, 2014 at 5:28 pm said:

this rightfully took my breath away.. I am in awe of your talent.

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- robert okaji on December 13, 2014 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  You are very generous. Thank you.
  
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Holistic Wayfarer on December 14, 2014 at 8:45 pm said:

Love the undertone of searching and the wondering. Great use of metaphor.
Appreciate your work.

Diana

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- robert okaji on December 16, 2014 at 6:07 am said:
  
  Thank you, Diana. May we never stop searching and wondering.
  
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Ed Williams on December 15, 2014 at 8:00 am said:

Powerful imagery. Loved it.

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- robert okaji on December 16, 2014 at 6:07 am said:
  
  Thanks, Ed. I appreciate your comment.
  
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forandbytheunheard on December 31, 2014 at 4:18 pm said:

moving!

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- robert okaji on December 31, 2014 at 4:26 pm said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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untouchedtcphotos on January 2, 2015 at 3:17 pm said:

Thanks for noticing our blog! Thanks for your poetry!

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- robert okaji on January 2, 2015 at 4:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by. I find vultures fascinating, and enjoyed your photos.
  
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reverendhellfire on January 4, 2015 at 2:03 am said:

Burn, baby, burn!
you might like this..

PLAYING WITH FIRE

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- robert okaji on January 4, 2015 at 8:30 am said:
  
  Thanks, Rev. I enjoyed it. You go burn!
  
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Madamidola Oladele (AngelDee) on January 4, 2015 at 9:23 am said:

Every fire 🔥 truly needs oxygen – without that, we won’t burn! Nice one

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- robert okaji on January 5, 2015 at 5:56 am said:
  
  Exactly. Thank you.
  
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harmonioustew on January 7, 2015 at 4:52 am said:

This is a remarkably original poem, written in your characteristically inimitable style. Thanks for liking my blog post. Nice to hear from you again!

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- robert okaji on January 10, 2015 at 9:02 am said:
  
  Thanks, Stew. How could I resist your blog?
  
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rjreitinger on January 9, 2015 at 11:34 pm said:

Your poem had an existential meaning for me. I enjoyed it. Thanks.

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- robert okaji on January 10, 2015 at 9:02 am said:
  
  Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
  
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rjreitinger on January 9, 2015 at 11:36 pm said:

Reblogged this on sentencedtoread and commented:
words and fire, power and light, this is a good one.

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- robert okaji on January 10, 2015 at 9:02 am said:
  
  Thanks for reblogging!
  
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nosiphokota1974 on January 12, 2015 at 5:14 am said:

Reblogged this on nosiphokota.

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- robert okaji on January 12, 2015 at 5:18 am said:
  
  Thanks for reblogging!
  
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