Temptation is an onyx raven
plaguing the defenses of my soul
pecking,
clawing,
it circles around me
as if it smells carrion within
this forest of innocence
my refuge and protection
It cracks my shield
and darkness filters through
My bones are bruised
My soul is limp
but I have not sinned
while I resist.
~~~~~~
This piece was inspired by Falls Poetry’s prompts – onyx raven and forest of innocence and is also posted in Instagram.
Linking with DVERSE Poets’ Open Link Night. Check out the pub for gorgeous works. 🙂
MY WALL 
Epic temptation.
Thanks, Yassy.. 🙂
Welcome 😊
Wow
Thanks.:-)
Nice description of how temptation feels.
Thanks, Frank.
Oh, I like that image of carrion within the the forest of innocence – very apt!
Thanks, Marina. 🙂
Wonderfully expressed. Lovely poem.
Thanks, Iris. 🙂
My bones are bruised, My soul is limp
but I have not sinned while I resist.
Even though one may be disadvantaged but one’s reaction can still be positive and reasonable as in this case!
Hank
Does thinking about what it is that tempts you cross the line of resistance?
Your question is difficult and I have no authoritative answer to give you. All I know is that being tempted implies that something – the temptation – crossed a person’s mind. In that respect, there was thinking involved. If the person simply let it go, or actively diverts his thoughts away from the temptation, then there is resistance. On the other hand, if one dwells on the temptation, lets himself be worked out by it – I am not sure if resistance was breached. Maybe, it depends on what the temptation calls a person to do. If the temptation is simply to distract a person from whatever good he is doing, for example, then maybe, by mentally engaging on the temptation, one succumbed. If the temptation is for actively doing something, stealing, for example, even if on entertains it in his mind but does not actually do it, there may be, arguably, resistance. My simple thoughts which I hope make a little sense. 🙂
Your answer is pretty much what was in my mind. Sometimes we are so occupied with what we try to resisit it becomes the issue we seek to avoid. Great poem. Thought provoking.
An onyx raven in the forest of innocence. Something wicked this way comes!
Thanks, Beverly. 🙂
Such a sinister description of temptation, Imelda, but I guess that’s how it feels sometimes.
“Forest of innocence” beckoned me to read as carefully as one does Blake’s. 🙂 The “as if” suggested the possibility that the rotting/vulnerable within the tempted could as well be an illusion. I found it interesting that the “forest of innocence” was regarded as “refuge and protection” instead of the object of protection. And if this thinking applied to the “shield”, then the temptation served as the culprit that had shattered the poet’s innocence. Hmm. Some food for thought.
Reblogged this on Flawed Masterpieces and commented:
Great poem! Check out the writer for some good stuff!
Thank you so much, Michael. I am much honored. All the best to you. 🙂
You’re welcome. I really enjoyed your poem!