John Frederick Kensett, Sunset on the Sea,” Wikipedia Commons
At the horizon, known and unknown meet,
this liminal space between sky and sea
when the sun dips down, and night not complete
where dreams are unleashed and left to dance free–
this liminal space between sky and sea,
in this place, past and future meld and dwell,
where dreams are unleashed and left to dance free
we hover here, and fall under its spell.
In this place, past and future meld and dwell,
dreams sigh spindrift over the sand. Enthralled,
we hover here, and fall under its spell
as tall ships vanish, beyond shouts and call.
What might fate foretell here–our joys and fears
when the sun dips down, and night not complete?
Do we seek, question, wait for what appears
at the horizon? Known and unknown meet.
Gina is hosting the next dVerse form, the Pantoum. Her post explains the history and mechanics of the form.
This a re-working of one I wrote about a year ago. This poem was inspired by a post by Frank of A Frank Angle. I borrowed my first line from him. Thanks, Frank! 🙂
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Love the change in punctuation at the end. Very cleverly done.
Thank you very much, Sarah. That was one of my revisions, so I’m glad you thought it was done well.
I so very much love this, Merril.
Methinks this is a genre I shall not even come close to contemplating trying!
Frank is going to be totally chuffed that you were inspired by one of his beach walks!
So beautifully done. (I know, I know, I’m gushing…)
Thank you, Dale, and I don’t mind your gushing at all. 🙂
This is a revision, and he did see the original, but I thought it only fair to credit him again.
I really like this form. If you do want to try it, Gina gives a nice description of how to do it.
I actually did read the “how to” and another poetry blogger I follow has done one before so I was intrigued. But… I don’t think …. then again, ya never know 😉
🙂
lovely and grand all rolled over and over. you grasp it well! in my humble opinion yoyr final line in each stanza would sound a lot more melodic if it were shortened to give it an anchor to the stanza. the rhymes are beautifully crafted but loses a little bit of power when the last line is atad long. i love your ruminations, your pantoum is perfect in content, carrying thoughts like waves coming to shore. one i will visit again for sure Merril, good luck on the next one (if you are writing one!)
Thank you, Gina. I appreciate your feedback!
I know you said no meter, but somehow I thought they were metered. Something to ponder. 🙂
i hope it was helpful, i am no expert but the pantoum is much like a song, no meter but there is a rhythm, you had it in the first 3 lines but it got pulled out too far in the last, if that makes sense…LOL! i went over mine many times to get the feel just right. listening to the flower drum song and also reading the other examples brought me back to the core of its rhythm. its a really strong pantoum Merril, well done.
Thank you. I’ll look it over again.
Beautiful melodic language.
Thank you very much!
I am always impressed when someone manages a pantoum. Kudos.
Thank you, Ben! I remember you’re a fan of pantoums.
Like this poem your memory is impressive. 🙂
Awww. . .thank you! 🙂
🙂
The message is the thing, and that is clarion. This form is tricky. As I read, I felt it was within the realm of Pantoum, though it deviated from some of the parameters. But who knows what Bjorn will choose for the book; grin.
Thanks so much, Glenn. 🙂
Beautiful!
Thank you, Jill!
you’ve created a mystical place here, where the two meet. i like the atmosphere of your poem
Thank you very much, Jade.
You are welcome, Merril.
I love that way of viewing the horizon: “known and unknown meet.”
Thank you very much!
Very beautiful Merril, words and image, just lovely!
Thank you very much, Holly!
You’re very welcome!
🙂
😊
Beautifully done, Merril …. and thanks for the kind words. Love your descriptors!
Thank you, Frank, and for the line (again).
I may have to rewrite that beach walk to add your ideas.
🙂
Good line to begin and end this – the horizon where known and unknown meet.
Thank you–though I have to give credit to Frank for that. 🙂
By all accounts, a beautiful poem. You enjoy your verses. Good for you.
Thank you!
I love any poem with tall ships in it. You have questions and answers hanging in the air too. It creates a beautiful image of wide horizons and empty seas.
Thank you! 🙂
🙂
This is so wonderful and dreamy and full of love between the lines 💜
Thank you so much!
Lovely reflection on the scene
I like how you change the punctuation at the end.And oh yes….the horizon can be seen as a place of mystery — of dreams. I smiled at the line about the ship. When you think that mariners and mapmakers of old thought the earth was flat and that one might simply sail over the edge….:)
Thank you very much, Lillian!
Though it’s a bit of a myth that people way back when believed the earth was flat.
Effective use of the form! Ethereal.
Thank you very much!
So welcome.
Lovely poem and this sounds like a happy place: “where dreams are unleashed and left to dance free.”
Thank you very much, Marie. It does sound like a happy place, doesn’t it? 🙂
This possessed a wonderful sense of mystery and curiosity Merril. Very captivating read, here at the edge of known and not known…!
Thank you very much, Rob!
Poem as collaboration (1-line) and revision. Just like prose. Well done, Merril!
Thank you, Marian!
This poem captures well the space between sky and sea………very lovely.
Thank you so much!
I like the change in rhythm with the change in line lengths myself. It provides a pause in the dance. And what a wonderful dance it is! the sky meeting the sea…(K)
Thank you, Kerfe. I think I like the different lengths, too. I’m not sure that I’ll change them.
I like to vary the lines, and also not to always rhyme them. The circle still stands and goes around.
I love the time and space of this – and the tempo is perfect – both rhythmic and arhythmic –
Thank you very much, Susan.
I love the blurring of known and unknown at the horizon, Merril, ‘where dreams are unleashed and left to dance free’ – you’ve unleashed the sky in this Pantoum! I especially enjoyed the lines:
‘In this place, past and future meld and dwell,
dreams sigh spindrift over the sand’.
Thanks so much, Kim! I’m so pleased this pantoum resonated with you.
It certainly has the vastness of looking at the horizon when at sea. It weaves together seamlessly. So great reworking into a Pantoum.
Thank you very much!
This is a fine piece of work. One could dance to it and sip a bit from that on the right.
Thank you very much!