Mind on Fire Books

In the realm of the mystical and the unexplained, “Omens” by Cecelia Llompart stands as a beacon, illuminating the path from ancient oracles to modern-day signs and symbols. This contemporary piece delves into themes of change, mystery, and uncertainty, inviting us on a journey through time and perception.

Omens

The dead bird, color of a bruise,
and smaller than an eye
swollen shut,
is king among omens.

Who can blame the ants for feasting?

Let him cast the first crumb.

~

We once tended the oracles.

Now we rely on a photograph

a fingerprint
a hand we never saw

coming.

~

A man draws a chalk outline
first in his mind

around nothing

then around the body
of another man.

He does this without thinking.

~

What can I do about the white room I left
behind? What can I do about the great stones

I walk among now? What can I do

but sing.

Even a small cut can sing all day.

~

There are entire nights

                            I would take back.

Nostalgia is a thin moon,
disappearing

into a sky like cold,
unfeeling iron.

~

I dreamed

you were a drowned man, crown
of phosphorescent, seaweed in your hair,

water in your shoes. I woke up desperate

for air.

~

In another dream, I was a field

and you combed through me
searching for something

you only thought you had lost.

~

What have we left at the altar of sorrow?

---

Copyright © 2016 by Cecilia Llompart. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on September 26, 2016, by the Academy of American Poets.

The exploration of omens in this piece serves as a mirror, reflecting our own interpretations of signs and symbols in our lives. It challenges us to question our understanding of the world around us and the mysteries it holds. The significance of this exploration lies in its ability to provoke thought and introspection, to stir the depths of our consciousness.

As you reflect on this poem, consider the omens and symbols in your own life. How do they shape your understanding of the world? How do they influence your decisions and actions? Engage further with these themes and share your thoughts and interpretations. Remember, every sign holds a story waiting to be unraveled.

Cecilia Llompart is the author of The Wingless (Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2014). She currently teaches freelance creative writing workshops and divides her time between the United States and France.

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