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.

17 comments:

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

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

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  2. Yes, that last line is quite bewitching Rosemary.

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

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  5. "seductive flight of scent"
    Nice!!!

    Thanks for droppi g by my sumie Sunday today

    Much❤love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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