Picture—
storm-chased seas, waves
in white-foamed roiling crash
against the small trireme, fortunes
plumet.
Behold–
a tale unfolds,
ocean-dark legends, gods
and mortals interlocked, love lost
and found.
Slay now,
the snake-haired beast,
though she blood-births magic–
this winged-horse, muse-beloved, soars
skyward.
Listen–
and hear beyond
ancient, echoed voices,
flashes of ghost-light memory
linger–
each pulse,
part of time’s dust
in gleaming streams–glimmers
of what was, what is, what might be–
somewhere
a place
in time, circling
round, like a comet bound
for space, yet ensorcelling each
story.
I haven’t done one of Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday prompts for a long time. This is for an ekphrastic prompt based on the photo above. It sent me off into mythology, as well as the stars. For most of Colleen’s prompts, you must write a poem using one of the listed syllabic forms. This is a Crapsey Cinquain series—though I don’t think I have the rhythm quite right. First draft.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
How beautiful!
Thank you so much, Lucy!
Your poem prompted the question of just how much mythology plays a role in our lives and consciousness now.
Thank you, Liz. Yes, I think you’re right. Myths, folklore, fairy tales–all are ways to explain the natural world and/or act as cautionary tales. But I think we still relate to them and invent new ones.
To be most aware of myth and archetype, I need to be immersed in literature of all kinds. (A very good place to be!)
I guess so. 😀
😀
Lovely, Merril. Thanks for sharing.❤️
Thank you, Jill! ❤️
This was wonderful, Merril. And I had to look up trireme…. I love when I have to 🙂
Thank you so much, Dale. It was a new word for me, too. 😀
Aren’t words grand?
They are! 💙
🧡
I love all the mythological references. There is a feeling of cycles and eternity to me in this poem.
Thank you so much, Claudia! I’m pleased you felt that in the poem.
So many stories, so many years all encapsulated here Merril.
Massive Hugs
Oh–thank you so much, David! Hugs back to you.
I’d recognize your style and story anywhere, Merril!
Thank you. I hope that’s a good thing, Marian? 😀
Yes, of course. Enchanting!
Thank you! 💙
A gorgeous, pulsating, drama
Thanks so much, Derrick!
I like how you tackled this! The poem races along, the repeated form gives in momentum. Like that comet and the storm waves.
Thank you! I was feeling the need for a prompt and form. I’m pleased this all worked out. The Oracle may have nudged me a bit. 😀
I know what you mean about needing a form. Order and discipline aren’t always bad. This certainly worked 🙂
Thank you! Yes, I just needed that extra boost. 😀
🙂
A wonderful celestial journey Merril!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
Merril, this is fabulous! The rhythm is lovely and flowing like ocean waves. The connection to the stars and the trireme vessel sailing the seas gives the cinquain series a story-like quality! I love it! ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen!
I’m so pleased you like it. ❤️
It was extra special! ❤
😘
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Wow! the last verse is my favorite!
Thank you very much!
❤️
each pulse,
part of time’s dust
in gleaming streams–glimmers
of what was, what is, what might be–
somewhere
This particular verse reminds me of a comment a science teacher once made. The last words of Caesar; “Et tu, Brute” – the molecules of that breath are still wondering around in our atmosphere!
Begs the question does anything really ever vanish? Or does it just change the shape of its energy? 😀
What a lovely, thoughtful comment! Thank you, Jules.
Yes, I think about that often–not the last breaths wandering around, but that air, minerals, etc, just keep getting recycled.(Though of course, Julius Caesar didn’t really say that–it was Shakespeare’s line.) 😀
Ahh. This is amazing work. 💜
In love with that picture. It looks absolutely dreamy!
It goes so well with your amazingly
magical write up. I personally am very interested in the celestial affairs and I see that We share a similar interest.
Do go through my articles too and don’t forget to drop in your feedbacks!!!
#MyWordsKraft
Thank you very much!