A Breath
Listen—
moon-wreathed
the sky balanced between
night-hymn and dawn chorus, a breath
exhaled
a breath
and then one more
as wine-dark sea froths pale
and gull-laughter sounds from the shore
again
now watch
and see the world
around you breathe and stop
when baby chick is eagle-plucked
and gone
choices
are made–eagle,
chick, child, a soldier’s gun
loaded, aimed, then stopped with a cry,
a sigh
a breath,
a pause in time,
the world re-balances–
land, sea, sun, moon, stars join in song—
listen.
A cinq cinquain–five verses of five for the fifth day of the fifth month-for Laura’s prompt at dVerse. But I’ve also repeated the first line as the last, as in a crown cinquain.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I find the poem so wonderful… and it feels like if we just breathed a little more the world would be a much safer place. Especially the 4th stanza and the focus on listen.
Thank you so much, Björn. Much appreciated. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
So well done, Merril! I toyed with this in the morning, but I just couldn’t get the syllable count 😅
Thank you so much, Ingrid! I kept re-writing. I even changed some words after I pasted it into WordPress. 😅
Also nice to see Winslow Homer’s art, as he is relatively local to me!
Actually, he isn’t – but he lived nearby for some years! 🤣
I wondered what you meant, since he’s American and well-known for New England land and seascapes. 🤣
I used this image for something else–maybe prosery?
watch, breath, listen – these directives slow the pace and so we the readers can fully admire and appreciate the contrast between the calm and drama. So well done Merril!
Thank you so much, Laura. And thank you for hosting!
I realized I forgot to center the stanzas after I started reading.
good 👍👍
Thank you
I didn’t expect the world to rebalance in the last stanzs, but I’m glad it did!
Thank you, Liz. 😀
You’re welcome, Merril.
This is a glimmer of hope. If everybody had chance to reflect a little more, would the world be a better place? I think so.
Thank you very much, Sarah.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt, would it?
👏👏
this is truly magnificent Merril!
💖👏👏
Thank you so much, Cindy!
You’re sooo welcome!!💕
😊
Bang……yes….indeed…Merril I found a real connection to mine here, with yours…..wonderful…
Thank you so much, Ain!
Yes, you’re right–there is a sort of connection.
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Great and very interesting, even thought the metrics are a mystery for me. 😉 xx Michael
Thank you very much, Michael. 💙
Stanzas are syllables of 2-4-6-8-2. 😊
This reads like a meditation. Luv the breath and command to listen
Much💛love
Thank you so much, Gillena. Love back to you. 💙
What a great read. And I love the homer painting as well.
Thank you so much!
Love where you took me in this Merril. Really engaging, and you kept me alert each line. Excellent my friend.
Thank you very much, Rob.
We need those pauses, those breaths. (K)
Indeed. Thank you, Kerfe.
Captures the savagery of nature–and its beauty. Favorite lines: “the sky balanced between
night-hymn and dawn chorus, a breath
exhaled”
Inspired, Merril!
Thank you so much, Marian! 💙 I think those were my favorites, too.
Beautifully breathed words Merril!
‘choices
are made–eagle,
chick, child, a soldier’s gun
loaded, aimed, then stopped with a cry,
a sigh’ ~ some choices have devastating consequences but I’m glad you finished with hope.
Thank you very much, Carol! 💙
If nothing else a deep breath says suck in, breathe out, go with what you’ve got. BYW, our rabbit population around here since the hawks have come for their toddlers.
..
“BTW”
..
Thank you. I almost used rabbit, but chick fit better. 😏
This is an amazing piece, Merril. The message is clear and the format well exploited. 💖🌺
Thank you so much! 😊💙
You’re most welcome, Merrill. 💖
This felt like a meditation poem. Calming. Wise. At peace.
Love these lines:
choices
are made–eagle,
chick, child, a soldier’s gun
loaded, aimed, then stopped with a cry,
Thank you very much! 💙
So calming to the ears
Thank you, Derrick.
I appreciate how you presented a breath as a pause in time – yet during that time, so much goes on for those who take the time to stop, look, and listen.
Thank you very much, Frank. I appreciate your appreciation! 😊
I love your descriptions here of the ‘wine dark sea’ and laughing gulls. This poem does create a mood, to stop and pause, to be still and contemplative.
Thank you so much, Linda!
I love how this circled back to stopping to breathe and listen to the song of nature. 💙
Thank you very much, Punam. 💙
My pleasure.
The world rebalances … those words will stay with me for quite a while, Merril … beautiful poetry.
Thank you so very much, Helen. 💙
This was absolutely beautiful, Merril. I loved the flow, the message, the balance… Just gorgeous
Thank you so much, Dale! 💙
🧡
I so enjoyed the ebbing and flowing of breath throughout this poem, Merril. Beautifully writ 🙂
Thank you so much! 😊
Wow, Merril! If the world could just pause, breathe and listen to the vulnerable.
Thank you so much, Lynn. Yes, if only. . .
Beautifully penned 💟💟
Thank you!
I know you choose your images afterwards, but there is a pause in each of these stanzas that hints at the wave in the painting. Your poem and image work well together.
Thank you, Ken. That’s such a thoughtful and perceptive comment. I appreciate that!
😀
The depth of your writing falls to the horizon of Winslow Homer’s painting.
Then, it seems to go a bit beyond.
That is so very kind. Thank you, Resa!