Cry, it is
the light leaving. You
sleep to the
rails’ rhythm
singing lonesome blues. You hear,
you’ll never return.
But maybe
you will, someday, healed
of what was–
after trails,
sea, stars share their magic, heart-
haunted you’ll live on.
This is a shadorma sequence for Colleen’s Photo Challenge, and also for Open Link Night at dVerse, where Linda is hosting. This is my first post with the new editor. So, I hope it all worked out.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Beautiful writing.
Thank you, Lucy.
Lovely Merril. I’ve been using the new editor since it was first introduced. It’s a bit of a learning curve for sure…
Thanks, Linda. Yes, I guess I’ll figure it out, 😏
This is absolutely lovely in its melancholy and hope, Merril! 💝 Just what I needed to read tonight 🙂
Aww–thank you so much! ❤️
The post looks good to me. I am learning it a little at a time. It will be fine. Now, to the poem. I have always loved trains and rail trips and to me, the sound of a train whistle at night and the rumble of it going off into the distance – that is the same feeling from this poem. A mix of sadness and hope.
Thank you so much, Claudia. That’s just what I felt when I was writing it–sadness and hope. Trains are so evocative–there’s so much history, good and bad, images, music–as well as the sounds themselves.
I mean I am learning the new editor a little at a time, not your post! Though it would be worth it to memorize and be able to repeat it to yourself at night, say, it’s a nighttime/ day’s end type of poem, I feel.
Like a mantra.
Thank you. 😀
Yes, exactly.
Awww–that is so kind!
Lovely poem. I have not heard of this form but I’m thinking of checking it out.
Thank you. A shadorma is structured, but it also allows for a lot of leeway.
Beautiful, Merril. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed your photos today, too!
Thank you very much, Jill!
I read your poem several times, trying to decide if I prefer the first stanza on its own or both together. I decided that either way is equally effective. I think the fact that the poem asked me to stop after the first stanza before moving on added to the reading experience. This is a long-winded way of saying I really enjoyed the poem!
Thank you so much, Liz. It’s interesting that you picked up on my own questioning of whether the poem should end at the first stanza or not, but ultimately, I decided it needed more.
Isn’t that interesting!
😀
It appears you’ve conquered the new editor, and written a nice poem as well. Good for you!
Thank you very much, Beverly!
Oh this is lovely. Each stanza is wonderful on its own, but together it works so well. The photo is just the cherry on top. Well done!
Thank you very much. I’m so pleased you think it all works together.
Lovely write indeed, Merril. I esp liked “heart-haunted”.
Thank you so much, Ron!
This was a lovely poem, Merril and kudos to you for using the new editor. I refuse to. Then again, I’ve been using the admin panel since day one so I’ll never be forced to change.
Thank you, Dale.
I always just go to my blog and click on Write because that seems like the easiest thing, and so I had to use it. We’ll see. . .
Well, kudos to you. It looks great.
Thank you. The big test will be with my Monday musings.
No doubt!
I’m not even trying it!
😀
I love the imagery of the train, though that rhythm of the rails is mostly gone these days…
Thank you very much. We still have freight trains here, and I sometimes hear the whistles.
This is wonderful.
Thank you!
Great poem and looks good on my iPad so think you have mastered both forms. Will look up this one. Very interesting.
You cracked it 🙂
There’s something sad about railway tracks, not sure why, because they lead away maybe. The melancholy comes over strongly, with those if and when and maybe words.
Thank you. Yes, I think you’re right about railroad tracks, and you can probably tell that I consulted the Oracle for a bit of inspiration.
I’m not sure what I did with the new editor, so we’ll see what happens next time. 😏
I did wonder. Some of those phrases were very Oracle-like 🙂
We’ll get used to the new editor. Or at least we’ll find out how to use the two or three functions we need and stick with that.
Yes, I think more like the latter. It’s just not something I want to spend that much time on.
Life’s too short.
Well done. It has certainly worked out.
Thank you, Derrick. I’m not certain what I did, so I’ll see if I can replicate it, and how many problems I’ll have with a longer post.😀
Fingers crossed
Gorgeously done Merrild
Thank you so much. You can call me Merril. 😀
Beautifully done. The ghosts float through our memories long after they are gone!
Dwight
Thank you, Dwight. They do indeed.
Merril congratulations on vanquishing the beast of the new editor. Your wistful poem tells of so many emotions, the leaving of home on the heroes’ journey and the (possible) return from it.
Thank you very much!
I’m not sure if I vanquished the beast–perhaps it’s more of a draw. 😏
🙂
Terrific poem Merril and for tackling the new editor…
Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Sally!
The enjambment imposed on the shadorma creates a hauntingly beautiful rickety feel to the rhythm, like the ghost of a train that can’t quite find purchase on the tracks. It fits well with the meaning and feel of this lovely poem. We live on, our hearts haunted by what we have seen and who we have touched in our travels. luvs this. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lona! I like that about the rickety feel. I hadn’t thought of that. 😀
Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger for all Genres as well as craft books and commented:
Nice!
Shadorma are so expressive! I kept thinking about the old saying about how you can never go back home… the passage of time changes our perspectives. You captured that essence so well. “Heart-haunted…” I love this! ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen! ❤️
Beautiful, Merril. The imagery and pace — extraordinary!
Thank you so much, Gwen!
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