Ship of Joys and Sorrow
We sail a boat beneath a sunny sky,
or drift under the moon, a strange wild song
of wind and wave, and light that asks us why
we sail—from whence–our hearts long to belong.
In lays of sorrow, then in joy, along
a pulse, a strum, gull-winged into the blue
of surf and clouds, joined by star-chirps, old song
blue-shifted, ancient-voiced, spin-drifted true–
the song of dreams, just glimpsed, but named, they sigh
in flutter flashed bright–hope, a dragonfly.
I’ve combined two dVerse prompts for this poem:
from Tuesday’s dVerse, using these three Lewis Carroll titles:
A boat beneath a sunny sky, A strange wild song, Lays of sorrow
Today’s dVerse challenge:
“a 10 line stanza poem (more stanzas permitted of this length)
10 syllables per line
rhyme scheme as per the Decuain or free verse if you’d prefer”
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Magnificent – each line a gem and a joy to read several times over. Especially
” lays of sorrow, then in joy, along
a pulse, a strum, gull-winged into the blue”
Thank you very much, Laura. I revised each line so many times!
I really love the combination of the two prompts… (I recognized them even before I saw your comment) but most of all I love the end with the dragonfly.
Thank you so much, Björn! I’m so pleased you do.
These are the lines that most resonated with me, in part because the rhythm of the words together felt like sailing.
We sail a boat beneath a sunny sky,
or drift under the moon, a strange wild song
of wind and wave, and light that asks us why
we sail—from whence–our hearts long to belong.
Thank you, Liz. I was hoping the rhythm would work that way. The meter’s not perfect, but I’m glad you still felt it.
You’re welcome, Merrill.
A lovely, lilting poem of hope and yearning, Merril!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
I agree with Liz—the opening lines are beautiful.
I know this shouldn’t surprise me, but… well, just read mine 🙂
Thank you very much, and I just did.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but it is a little weird, especially when we can’t even blame it on tiles. 😀
It’s very strange. I purposely didn’t choose a Redon boat painting because his are all too happy and hopeful. I’m glad you used one 🙂
It’s good that we can share this way. 😀
We’re wired the same way 🙂
💙
I really like how a good poem starts quietly and then somehow just seems to grow, and takes on all kinds of hues, moods, and literary savours..and ..we come to the little dragonfly, so the poem comes slowly to a halt…very nice..
That’s lovely. Thanks so much, Ain!
I would say this combo is a wonderful success. Beautifully done.
Thank you very much, Dale!
I really dug this one, Merril, esp this: “blue-shifted, ancient-voiced, spin-drifted true–.”
Thanks for the share!
Thank you so much, Ron.!
Wonderful, Merril! You rocked this challenge.
The painting is perfect for this.
Seems we all have the same thing in our minds. It is a strange way to be united.
Thank you, Resa. This painting is one of my favorites.
Yes, you are right.
I like your choices of art. Really great!
Thank you! 😊
Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Linda!
You really know how to step up to the challenge! Beautiful, Merril.
Thanks so much, Jill!
I feel a wonderful merging of both realms in your poem, which is as it should be. Polarities on the fringe don’t feel so cozy as near the warm fire of the center.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Lisa.
You’re welcome, Merril.
This is beautiful Merril! 🙂✌🏼❤️
Thank you so much, Rob! 💙💙
Dreamy, like the Redon, multitudinous. (K)
Thank you, Kerfe. Multitudinous is a great word.
It is.
So lovely!
Thank you!
Beautiful writing, especially “a pulse, a strum, gull-winged into the blue”
Thank you very much, Derrick!
(I liked that line, too.) 😀
Wow, Merril, this is an amazing read from ship to dragonfly and sails the gamut of emotions!
Thank you so much, Lynn!
Odilon Redon is a great favorite of mine–I love the way he suggests and hints and teases with his understanding of light and shape–all of which I could say about this poem, too–it is delightful, fresh as a breeze off the ocean and full of light and movement.I especially like “light that asks us why we sail..”and the lovely visualization at the finish.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your thoughtful comment. 😊
Oh my heart this is absolutely stunning, Merril 😀 I especially love; “In lays of sorrow, then in joy, along a pulse, a strum, gull-winged into the blue of surf and clouds.” ❤️❤️ Thank you so much for writing to the prompt!
Awww–thank you so much, Sanaa! I appreciate your kind words. ❤️ It’s hard to keep up with all the prompts, but I wanted to try it.
A delightful poem, and deft combination of prompts, Merril!
Thank you very much!