Johann Georg Haeselich (1806-1894)
Holstein Sea – Moonlight
In the dawning of owl-light
when the bell-voiced flowers
croon goodnight,
and the tide-looped river
mirror-shines still-bright—
the spirits gather, awakened
by the silver feathered light.
Moon-blown they dance
tickled by her rays (the sight!)
to make a vagary,
and convened in delight,
to ring with dark-vowelled voices
singing peace upon the night.
Day 16 of NaPoWriMo is to write a list poem. It seems like I’ve done a few lists already, so I’m following the dVerse prompt today instead. Laura asks us to write a poem “using at least FOUR of the hyphenated compound words” from the list of words taken from the works of Dylan Thomas. I’ve done this and added some of my own.
Additionally, in a tweet, Dale Rogerson (who blogs at A Dalectable Life) challenged me to use the word “vagaries.” I used the singular form, vagary, discovering that an old meaning of “to make a vagary,” was to make a wandering journey.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Lovely nocturnal… I love the thought of bell-voiced bloom…
Thank you. That one came to me right away.
I have to love owl-light 🙂
Yes, I guess you would. 🙂
🙂
I can tell you loved the words! great use of bell-voiced and you have a gently touch with the rhymes too
“the tide-looped river” is a brilliant word compound – it says so much
Thank you very much, Laura!
I loved this, Merril…and the last line is so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Jill!
“moon-blown they dance … and convened in delight … by the silver feathered light” exquisite ❤
Thank you so much, Jade!
You are welcome, Merril.
This is such a beautiful poem! I can’t wait for the Dylan Thomas “word” challenge, he’s such an amazing poet.
Thank you very much, Holly!
I didn’t know there was an International Dylan Thomas Day till I read the prompt.
Oh yes, and there should be. Such an amazing poet. Have you read “Milkwood”?
A long time ago. . .
I love that. There’s recordings of DT reciting on YouTube.
Yes, I’ve seen some.
Oh yes, Merril, the dawning of owl-light appeals to me too, as does the mirror-shining tide-looped river! A beautiful nocturne!
Thank you very much, Kim. I’m so pleased this appeals to you.
You know, I almost used a nocturne painting for this, but I couldn’t find quite the right one.
I know how it is. Sometimes I look for ages for a suitable image.
Enjoyed this a lot–not only did you pen lots of compound words, in addition you used rhyming lines–so the classic poetic qualities were all evident.
Thank you very much, Glenn. I appreciate that. I felt a bit like there was some classic poet whispering to me.
This is quite soothing and lovely. It gave me a sense of peace in the moonlight. You missed an opportunity for one more hyphenated compound, though. I think that light could have been silver-feathered. 🙂
Thank you very much. How lovely.
I did ponder that one. But then I decided against it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll change my mind again.
And that is the beauty of words in poetry — there’s no right and wrong, just possibilities. And the beauty of poems on blogs is that you can change them if you decide to. 🙂
Yes, exactly! 🙂
All those lovely words! It’s delicious.
Delicious! Thank you! 🙂
This is enchanting! You’ll convert me to a rhyming poetry lover with poems like this. 😊
What a lovely comment, Charlotte! You made my day (well, night) with that one. Thank you!
Love the rhyme, too!
Thank you, Luanne!
You captured a mystical moment. This part is so delightful:
Moon-blown they dance
tickled by her rays (the sight!)
Thank you very much, Grace!
I like how those spirits dance moon-blown in delight.
Thank you, Frank! It must be a sight to behold. 🙂
I love “In the dawning of owl-light”
And then to come back to it with “by the silver feathered light.”
Nice.
Thanks so much, Ken!
BOOM! I love when I challenge someone and they not only deliver, they D.E.L.I.V.E.R.
So absolutely wonderful! It is so lyrical, it could be a song.
Thank you so much, Dale! I’m glad you approve. 🙂
More than…😉
🙂
I think Dylan Thomas knew the Oracle. So beautiful. (K)
Thank you very much, Kerfe!
I’m sure they were acquainted. 🙂
ahhh. this felt like a lilting lullaby!
Thank you very much!
Very atmospheric painting too.
Yes. Thank you.
🙂
Merril, so luscious and beautiful.
Thank you so much!
A lovely poem – the use of hyphens reminds me of Gerard Manley Hopkins
Thank you, Derrick.
I hadn’t thought of Hopkins.
I hadn’t thought you had. Its just that I did 🙂
😉
Owl-light! I love that phrase! It’s definitely magical as moonlight ❤
I jumped straight into Day 17, I'll catch up on my missing three poems in my own time. It is, however, nowhere near as wholesomely lovely as yours!
https://shukuen.blogspot.com/2019/04/glopowrimo-day-17-bones-speak.html
Thank you so much!
This was light, lovely, and rich with imagery. Dreamlike! Beautiful MERRIL… 🙂 loved the picture!
Thank you so much, Rob!
Great use of given criteria and superb imagery
‘and the tide-looped river
mirror-shines still-bright—
the spirits gather, awakened
by the silver feathered light.’
beautiful.
Thank you very much!
A nighttime delight! Wonderful write, Merril! 🙂
Thank you so much, Frank!
My pleasure 😇