Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Ballad Of Autumn Dusk



 OctPoWriMo day 20; topic Overwhelmed. Form; Ballad

Oft upon dusk’s daily dying
Thought is like a troubadour
Strumming the harp-strings of summer
Where sweet summer is no more

Like a vagabond he pauses
Face turned west on wind-tossed heath
Where Time dons dusk’s deep blue shadow
Thought attends its daily death

Refrain;
Tell me; tell me, cries the drifter
Where the ash of summer lies
But Thought cannot hear the answer
In the wind-waif’s weeping sighs

Stark against autumnal darkling
Still-life skylines slip from view
Earth is like an empty cradle
That a little lad outgrew

Soft, the balladeer of twilight
Runs his fingers, star-to-star
Somewhere between dusk and midnight
Life and death like warriors spar

Refrain;
Tell me, tell me, cries the wand’rer
Where the dust of summer sleeps
But thought cannot touch the answer
Where the wind-waif sighs and weeps

Thought is overcome with sorrow
Sorrow overrun with joy
Somewhere in some far tomorrow
Summer is a little boy

Somewhere the Artist of Autumn
Smooths Thought's tear with frost-sparked glaze
Overwhelming earth with splendor
Overwhelming Thought with praise

Refrain:
Tell me, tell me, cries the poet
Where the silk of summer fell
From a well of fond-felled flowers
Thought finds words wind-waifs can't spell   

© Janet Martin

19 comments:

  1. This poem itself is overwhelming to me in its beauty and emotion. Your use of onomatopoeia is so striking. love love love this. You are so gifted.

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  2. Left me breathless! Goosebumps at this end, Janet. Loved it.

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  3. All I can say is well done!
    I wish I were so talented :-)

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  4. I love the turn you take in the last stanza. Well done!

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  5. Somehow I've almost missed this post, just saw it. You're unsurpassed at word magic, Janet.

    I know it's not about winning, etc. etc. still it'll be very disappointing if none of your poems are recognized when April PAD results are announced. You are tops.

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    Replies
    1. Sasha, the succor of your words has buoyed a confidence that would other-wise perhaps have long ago been too bashful and unsure to continue to share where others read:). I do not know if you know how much your comments have encouraged me in my writing! thank-you sincerely and God bless you for reading and caring!

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    2. Please continue sharing, and try submitting more often, too.

      I'm very happy if I've helped you be a bit more assertive.

      Of course I read your poetry and look at your photography - I wouldn't deny myself this pleasure!

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    3. Yes, I need to be more diligent in trying to take it to the next step.

      Thank-you again and I'm glad you enjoy!:)

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