Slanted Words in Slanted Light
“Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
–Emily Dickinson“There’s a certain Slant of light, . . .
When it comes, the Landscape listens –
Shadows – hold their breath –“
–Emily Dickinson
Slanted words in slanted light,
this is what autumn brings–
ghosts and trees whisper,
elongated shadows seem alive.
This is what autumn brings–
red and yellow dazzle,
elongated shadows seem alive,
eagles with piping whistles fly—
above red and yellow dazzle,
berry-warm against cool grey and blue
eagles with piping whistles fly,
wine glows in canted rays of the sun
berry-warm against cool grey and blue
circles woven of color and time
wine glows in canted rays of the sun,
stories told and understood–
circles woven of color and time
now amid the age-old lies,
stories told and understood
for those who wait, a battle cry
now amid the age-old lies
truth is bent and rearranged
for those who wait, a battle cry,
but nature marches to a different beat–
truth is bent and rearranged,
elongated shadows seem alive,
but nature marches to a different beat–
slanted words in slanted light.
I’m sharing this pantoum I wrote for my Monday Morning Musings two weeks ago with dVerse Open Link Night. You can see the original version with photos here.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
No red and yellow dazzle in Florida these days; just wind and rain but tapering off. Thanks for transporting me to a different clime.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Marian!
I hope you’re not getting the hurricane weather. (We’re actually supposed to get remnants of it here tomorrow.)
Yes a tropical storm brushed by, but our area has been relatively unscathed. The river and inlets in the area have not yet recovered from Ian, so there’s much flooding in the city, especially in parks and homes close to water. More rain coming today, it seems! Thanks for asking, Merril.
I’m glad you didn’t get hit too badly. You’re welcome, Marian.
This is gorgeously rendered, Merril! I especially like; “berry-warm against cool grey and blue eagles with piping whistles fly,”..
It was lovely hearing you read this at Open Link LIVE today 😍 Thank you so much for joining in! 💘💘
Thank you so much, Sanaa! And thank you for hosting!❤️
A really great poem, Merril. You have said it well, truth is very hard to come by, amid the slanted versions all passed around, but:
truth is bent and rearranged
for those who wait, a battle cry,
but nature marches to a different beat–
Thank you very much for your perceptive comments, Dwight! 💙
You are very welcome!
Such a lovely poem. So colorful and warm (even though it’s autumn) 🙂
Thank you so much, Marie! 🙂
Wow Merril, this was excellent. Not only a wonderful depiction of autumn but I like the way you use the word slanted to mean several things. Very effective and I really enjoyed hearing you read it today, thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Rob! Much appreciated. 💙 Yes, this was written on Halloween before the election–so lots of different sorts of slanting. 🙂
Blew my mind hearing you read this YOWZA pantoum, Merril, but now that I get to actually see it (and recall you reciting) it’s that much better (as if that were possible)… Thanks.
Wow–thank you so much, Ron.! I appreciate your effusive praise. 💙
There’s such nice contrasting images. Elongated shadows vs dazzle. Just how this time of year is. I like thinking about it this way.
Thank you so much, Claudia. 💙
I loved the poem and your reading in equal measure!
I love the autumn season including its last days of colors, ghosts and trees whisper. Love the poetry reading too.
I must have remembered your elongated shadows as I used them in my poem today. Of course I love the rhythm of the pantoum as the images accumulate and circle around. (K l
I do love a pantoum, Merril: beautifully done!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
Love the slant on autumn et al. Beautifully done pantoum!
Thank you very much, Dale! 😊
Pleasure was all mine! 🙂
I like the carefully modulated cadence of your reading of the beautiful poem
Thank you very much, Derrick. 💙
I like this form. It takes some thinking. The slanted light of autumn well rendered here.
Thank you very much! I like pantoums, and I haven’t written one in a while.
Loved to hear you read it… It really inspire me to try a pantoum…
Oh, that’s a lovely compliment, Björn. Thank you!!
Loved it then, love it now, especially your reading. 💙
Awwww–thank you so much, Punam! 💙
My pleasure. 💙