We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

22.5.20

As sunset hovers, or sunrise

The feeling of light
is rose and bone —
the contradictions 
at that juncture, that
tipping point where

as sunset hovers, or sunrise

I solidify down into night
reaching for home, 
boundaries ... or else lift
evanescent as petals or
the seductive flight of scent.


Another in the elevensies form where middle line is also title – invented by Kit Kelen based on input by Kerry Shying. See my detailed notes here.
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17 comments:

  1. Jenna30 May 2020 at 10:20

    Ooh, this one is beautiful! <3 "the seductive flight of scent"...."evanescent as petals"...rose and bone together...how gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade30 May 2020 at 13:26

      Thanks, Jenna. I'm thrilled with your response.

      Delete
  2. Old Egg18 October 2020 at 17:03

    Yes, that last line is quite bewitching Rosemary.

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  3. Kim M. Russell18 October 2020 at 17:46

    A delicate capture of light, Rosemary, and I love the juxtaposition of ‘rose and bone’. Sunset and sunrise are so inextricably linked – I love to think that your day is starting while mine is ending, and vice versa. The ending is gorgeous.

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  4. Jae Rose18 October 2020 at 19:07

    So many arresting images - it's hard to choose a favourite

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  5. Gillena Cox18 October 2020 at 22:50

    "seductive flight of scent"
    Nice!!!

    Thanks for droppi g by my sumie Sunday today

    Much❤love

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hazel18 October 2020 at 23:47

    I love the images in your words - delicate, mysterious, exciting. "rose and bone," "solidify into the night," or "seductive flight of scent" - beautiful!

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  7. colleen19 October 2020 at 00:11

    Rose and bones, petals and sunset are swirling in my mind.

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  8. dsnake119 October 2020 at 01:21

    sunset or sunrise, it is always a time of peace. just like what i sense your poem is about.

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  9. Rommy19 October 2020 at 01:26

    I love the in-between feel of this piece, how it dances between the solid and ephemeral. In-between spaces always enchant me.

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  10. Magaly Guerrero19 October 2020 at 02:40

    I love so many things about this poem--the delicious language, the beautiful metaphor, the sensuality of the imagery (I can practically see that final scent, flying away... using petals as boats).

    And the title line, simply wonderful.

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  11. C. Sandlin19 October 2020 at 03:24

    This is beautiful! Growth at the juncture of opposites hit home.

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  12. Helen19 October 2020 at 07:07

    The visual of 'solidifying down into night' is hauntingly beautiful. When I pull my down blanket up tonight, I will whisper a goodnight to you in Oz.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade19 October 2020 at 14:54

      Thank you – but at that time you must wish me good morning.

      Delete
  13. indybev19 October 2020 at 07:58

    There is that time at horizon when sunset hovers...or sunrise...a magical time of day. Beautifully written, Rosemary.

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  14. rallentanda20 October 2020 at 01:33

    Beautiful

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  15. Margaret21 October 2020 at 03:08

    Rommy is spot on in her evaluation - I agree - it dances between the solid and ephemeral. Truly gorgeous writing.

    ReplyDelete

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