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when i was lost, and oh my soul so weary (sestina)

I never knew the rising sun,
or kissed the stars that smiled down;
or dreamt an angel's serenade
to lift these wounds away from flesh.
I dreamt instead of faceless nights;
the planet melting, dust to dust.

So kiss now sweetly, clouds of dust;
obliterate the waves of sun,
transform the days to glacial nights;
the star-field quickly falling down.
Now bid farewell the planet's flesh;
the flames will sweetly serenade.

How softly does he serenade;
oh Lucifer, the king of dust,
the Fallen who would eat my flesh.
Listen now -- the rising sun!
Perhaps the Christ is not thrown down,
as witnessed by unholy nights.

I will no longer love the nights,
nor witness fallen serenades;
the world is falling down!?
I patiently embrace my dust;
behold Him standing in the sun!
Farewell now to this flesh.

Yea, you would have me love this flesh
and bind my body to the night.
My heart is sworn to the sun,
throw away the fey serenade!
My body may be made of dust,
but know -- my heart is not pinned down!

So when the stars fall down
and burn away my flesh,
and break my bones to bitter dust;
know this -- thou fey, unholy knights:
you may withhold your serenade,
I belong to the sun!

 
 
 
Come ye down, unblessed nights, 
and tempt my flesh. Thy serenade
is dust. I live the sun!
 
 
 
--
For Becca 

Author notes

A sestina (also, sextina, sestine, or sextain) is a highly structured poem consisting of six six-line stanzas followed by a tercet (called its envoy or tornada), for a total of thirty-nine lines. The same set of six words ends the lines of each of the six-line stanzas, but in a different order each time; if we number the first stanza's lines 123456, then the words ending the second stanza's lines appear in the order 615243, then 364125, then 532614, then 451362, and finally 246531. This organization is referred to as retrogradatio cruciata ("retrograde cross"). These six words then appear in the tercet as well. I have used some homonyms in this poem, but the idea is the same. 

 

title is from Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" 

 

 

Amera has a wonderful AllPoetry class teaching the art of Sestina writing. 

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1 - 7 of 7
  • Annorlunda
    November 18
    Edit | Reply
    Nicely done!


  • martellis
    November 9

    Edit | Reply
    you are one talented guy. This poem is everything I wish my poems could be. very vivid and real. thanks for sharing this.

  • meena krish
    November 7

    Edit | Reply
    This was a really nice read. I always had a hard time trying to
    write a Sestina and admire those who can pen such a beautiful
    piece like this!! Excellent write..best of luck


  • glenn shannon silver member
    November 6

    Edit | Reply
    MAGNIFICENT BRAVO i could see this being in a play just top gun stuff mate gave me chills yep cool as


  • Desire gold member
    November 5

    Edit | Reply

    Holy Moly~

    This is one Magnificent form You have chosen to work
    with and Love how You presented this for us to read
    Powerful Message also weaving of words~
    I am Intrigued also Inspired by Your way of speaking
    The first line takes the Reader by the hand
    while on Spiritual Journey~
    Loved the lines:
    I patiently embrace my dust;
    behold Him standing in the sun!
    Farewell now to this flesh.
    Three lines of many that pulled
    Bravo!

    Excellent my Friend!
    Keep that quill dancing
    Thank You for sharing Your Voice & Talent
    Best wishes in the contest~
    with love & light~ Desire~*~

  • I loved this write as a whole, it was beautiful and you did an amazing job with it. My favorite stanza would have to be this one:

    Yea, you would have me love this flesh
    and bind my body to the night.
    My heart is sworn to the sun,
    throw away the fey serenade!
    My body may be made of dust,
    but know -- my heart is not pinned down!

    But like I said, the entire thing is great. Keep up the great writing!


  • Heavenly Angel silver member
    November 5

    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for sharing this; it is so very creative and I'm finding I love that form!
    A great entry in this contest; thank you for being a part!
    I wish you the very best!
    ~Heavenly~

1 - 7 of 7