There was a time under a faded sky
when silence lived to rule the endless night-
no thunder there to frame the restless sea.
My narrow road had withered thoughts of love
and fumes of duty choked constricted breath
to icy dreams of illness filled with fear.
Before succumbing to the crush of fear,
I turned to raising sights- entreating sky;
to grant release and loose the hard bound breath.
stark answer came within the deep of night
where dancing dreams yet dared to long for love
along the rugged shore of frigid sea.
But searing winds would melt and cleft my sea,
dividing waves I knew, but cloaked in fear
of baring need for touch of fairer love
and surely perish under scornful sky.
Despair won out enshrouding hope in night.
Regardless, fire burned below my breath.
Though hope receded, came a whispered breath
that stirred up eddies in my hungry sea
and tummy tickled butterflies at night,
while fighting deep abiding doubts and fear
that dampened days of billowed clouds and sky
and strove to calm the fancy flight of love.
You tender took my trembling hand in love
with patient kiss you gave me back my breath
and loved me shameless under eye of sky.
You teach me how to calm my tempest sea
and faithful wait when I withdraw in fear
and offer respite from engulfing night.
My rebel silver moon ignites the night
with passion’s flame of new and burning love.
While snaggy thorns still pierce my breast with fear,
I’ll laugh and share with you till final breath.
Though tides may drown me in your fearsome sea,
my love is boundless as your azure sky.
Stars blazed the night you took away my breath
and whispered love that bridged the span of sea
to soothe my fear and chase the gray from sky.
Author notes
Sestina with fairly consistent iambic pentameter... I can't seem to break out of it....
~Whatever story you would like to tell is your prompt.~
A contest entry
- Oh No! Oh YES!!! SESTINA CONTEST by SteveS.
3500 points, ended September 17, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments welcomed
Comments
1 - 16 of 16
-
As long as sestinas are, I went back and read this a second time. Oddly, I was attempting to read it in another rhythm, if that's possible...went back in with a Shakespearean head and recited again. Very pretty sestina. The actual story herein told is muted in metaphor, yet the nature and emotion of the piece is enhanced by the same. Safe end words as they are inherently versatile, but you make them fuel the write nicely. Very well done.
-
-
Thank you
A~
-
-
What an engulfing love story, filled with the ebb and swell of love and passion. In fear of its loss, the suspense of turning drives the story on. In its reacquaintance, the fear is soothed and gray is chased away from the sky. Loved the journey and the happy ending.
-
-
Thank you so much for that lovely comment. I truly appreciate it!
A~
-
-
This is quite incredible...from a casual and critical standpoint. there are differences here than in my life, but there are feelings here that i can relate to. the ending is a bit haunting, because it doesn't quite have that concluding edge...more like "well, this is how you made me feel" and then you're just not quite sure where to go with that sentiment and general thought ~ as if there's something meant to happen beyond that point...very relatable yeah, i love this.
-
-
Thank you.
Yes, I guess Im not sure where or how this will end... I appreciate your sharp eye.
A~
-
-
WOW! I enjoyed this so much! This is a beautiful form , and your words and theme resounded in me deeply. Excellent work, I hope you do well in the contest.
-
-
Thank you so much! This turned out a bit more personal than I had intended
Thank you for a lovely comment and your visit!
A~
-
-
very impressive!
excellent form, use of imagery, consistent meter, bravo!
I'm curious... did you write the envoi first? Those last three lines can be a bear to write when you leave them for last and yet yours sound so natural and elegant. Either way, great write!
-
-
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Yes, actually I had the envoi loosely penned first- it helped pin down what I wanted to say.
A~
-
-
I'm very impressed by the meter.
-
-
Thank you!
A~
-
-
Gorgeous
I waited for this expecting something wonderful, and was not disappointed. This is a beautiful piece, full of romance. Well done.
Sincerely,
Camille
-
-
Oh, thank you! I so much appreciate that!!
A~
-
-
This Sestina is absolutely wonderful! Very few poets have composed a Sestina let alone a good one. You have created a flowing masterpiece in form, flow and imagery. Standing ovations!
Love,
Amera♥
-
-
Wow! Thank you for the lovely comment! I really appreciate that!
A~
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 16 of 16
