Phantoms

Phantoms of all my lovely sins,
Who come to me at night;
Bring sad fingers of the rain,
To wash my dreams from sight.

They take away my eyes and ears,
Giving no more thought for sorrow;
For they have spent my future years,
In surviving for tomorrow.

My tears are falling with the rain,
Capricious and unholy;
Tapping at the window pane,
Running sad and slowly.

I have lived with all the beauty,
Of the churchyard's friendless flowers;
Let me this night find duty
In the phantom's moonlit bowers.

Every withered leaf shall fade,
When bright October passes;
And yet the day brings sun and shade
To sift through fragile grasses.

Phantoms of temptations heed,
My plea to be forgiving;
Don't you know that I have need,
To be dying with the living?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 5/12/2012 10:31:00 PM
As I've said before, your phrasing and imagery are entirely your own. The themes you choose for your pieces are fresh and inviting. Impeccable cadence and rhyming. (I must sound like a broken record, but I know you know it's true.)
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Date: 11/23/2011 8:56:00 AM
your poetry is very inspiring for me today. It wants me to break my dry spell.... time time no time yet..... thansk for sharing your talent and thoughts in prose, Elizabeth and thanks for sliver of light
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Date: 11/22/2011 9:47:00 PM
The modern day Dickinson and Bronte all rolled into this one poem! I adore it.
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Date: 11/16/2011 11:21:00 AM
Our Godly grace can't save us face. When we won't play his game. But thankfully, one day we'll see. We'll be saved, just the same.
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Date: 10/30/2011 11:29:00 AM
I had trouble going around the complicated network of soup links to find my faved poems, but succeeded at last. I have to add again, your rhymes are exceptional here, with a gripping story and a climax that keeps the us thinking...
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Date: 9/27/2011 2:40:00 AM
I just truly flowed along with this wonderful write of yours, Elizabeth--I honestly liked that 2nd line of yours, "sad fingers of rain"-- what a truly effective write :) enjoyed this! btw speaking of fingers, that haiku of mine was describing sun's rays during daybreak :D but I think it could be starlight as well :D-- thank you for all your encouraging comments :) we're having a typhoon right now & my connection's even iffier..catch up on your poems soon ...
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Date: 9/24/2011 11:09:00 PM
soup mail
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Date: 9/24/2011 7:09:00 AM
a very powerful piece...thank you for sharing it
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Date: 9/23/2011 4:00:00 PM
Very strong piece. Thanks for sharing
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Date: 9/23/2011 3:56:00 PM
Very strong piece. Thanks for sharing
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Date: 9/23/2011 7:22:00 AM
You are a wonderful poet elizabeth...a melodious write from you.....
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Date: 9/23/2011 5:44:00 AM
You write remarkably and fascinatingly well on any topic, I gather. This is going into my favs. P.S. you should read the poem "The Savior" written and posted by my brother, Taha Effendi. He has written it on somewhat similar lines. You will enjoy it.
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Date: 9/23/2011 3:46:00 AM
Holy **** that's intense. When I read the first line, I had to light a smoke and get ready lol....my anticipation wasn't for nothing. Your metaphors are perplexing, and usually that would mean I haven't the foggiest clue of what's going on inside the lines but this is so well written, I think it can't help but strike home to any reader! Thank you for posting this
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Date: 9/22/2011 5:46:00 PM
Powerful piece, my friend - especially loved the churchyard's friendless flowers
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Date: 9/22/2011 4:56:00 PM
You are truly shining with all your talents! You have such a good eye for superior rhythm and rhyme! I love this poem Lizzie! Great descriptions that lead to perfect visualizations!! Awesome work!!
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Date: 9/22/2011 4:37:00 PM
This one gets right down to earth along with beauty, Liz. It comes off as a death wish, but then, deep down, I think most have the wish. Always enjoy your creations, quite above the average. Love, davers
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Date: 9/22/2011 3:53:00 PM
Great ending Lizzie. Very good stuff. Tony
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Date: 9/22/2011 3:00:00 PM
It has been a pleasure to read your excellent poetry today Elizabeth. I hope to get back soon to read more. May you always find inspiration to carry on with your writing endeavors. Love, Carol
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Date: 9/22/2011 12:20:00 PM
imagery of sadness, and perhaps the up coming winter.Another good write, though melancholy in its flavour.
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Date: 9/22/2011 11:48:00 AM
A really great write Elizabeth. Love the cadence of your rhyme.
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Date: 9/22/2011 11:23:00 AM
I had to read this 3 times???..No wait 4 now. My mind is perplexed by this?Hhhhmmmmm?
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Date: 9/22/2011 10:43:00 AM
You have a gift..This is filled with beauty and sadness..Wonderful work, again....TAH
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