A Poet's Lament For the Night

As twilight dims in western skies, umbra’s odd and coppery band gloams slowly cross the perished land. Mystery to our wond'ring eyes, this marvel now can be unveiled— a shadow looms, moonlight impaled. Scarce minutes though its firm demise, phantasm this or merely dream, supplanted now by arc lamp's beam. For few regard eclipsed moon rise, snuffed out by artificial day of garish neon’s crude Cosplay. Heaven itself denied apprise, for surfeit reigns with paucity, confirming our vacuity. A sad lament must then arise, and honor for the night persist; ersatz and real ought coexist. * * * * As twilight dims in western skies— mystery to our wond'ring eyes— scarce minutes though its firm demise, for few regard eclipsed moon rise. Heaven itself denied apprise, A sad lament must then arise. 1st Place, Andrea's Inspiration, Connie's Form, Constanza Click above on "About this Poem" for commentary on terms/lines.
Dedicated to the International Dark Sky Association<>

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 2/18/2016 9:20:00 PM
Excellent phrasing and imagery also...
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Keith Bickerstaffe
Date: 2/18/2016 10:41:00 PM
I shoulda noticed! sorry...
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Mark Peterson
Date: 2/18/2016 9:29:00 PM
Difficult form this one. Three line stanzas of eight syllables each and the first lines of each stanza when taken together must form an independent poem. Turned out all right, I guess. Thanks for checking it out.
Date: 2/18/2016 9:18:00 PM
Congratulations on your win! An excellent piece with smooth 8-syllable lines and neat abb rhyming. I am reminded of a favourite hym of mine ~ 'The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended.' So well done!! Best wishes, Keith
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Date: 2/12/2014 5:29:00 PM
Wow! Tough form and you nailed it! Congratulations. I just read all the comments and realized that I just deleted a poem that was in a contest and had an N/A status. The contest status showed as Judged, so I figured it was all over. BTW, there's a new Space and Time contest. I put in an old one, but this one or ours could be entered as well.
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Mark Peterson
Date: 2/16/2014 11:53:00 PM
Thanks, Roy. I think it should be a new one. This would be a fun topic.
Date: 2/11/2014 11:07:00 AM
Great write Mark...congrats on your win
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Mark Peterson
Date: 2/11/2014 12:25:00 PM
You too, Joseph. I enjoyed your poem very much.
Date: 2/9/2014 7:57:00 PM
I saw what you replied to Rebecca about N?A. I have noticed that people who put off doing their judging but are in the middle of it already started, I think our poems show as N/A until they close the contest!!
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Mark Peterson
Date: 2/9/2014 8:40:00 PM
It's confusing and somewhat disheartening. Going from DNP to first is quite a roller coaster.
Date: 2/9/2014 7:56:00 PM
wow, your constanza is so elegant and stylish! I can see why you got first place. Congratulations.
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Mark Peterson
Date: 2/9/2014 8:39:00 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea. I put some work into it and got help from the great beyond as well. I'm surprised I wrote this. Congratulations to you too.
Date: 1/5/2014 7:06:00 PM
yep, a fave poet!!
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Mark Peterson
Date: 1/5/2014 7:40:00 PM
Well, as I've mentioned to others, I'd deny having written this, if my name weren't on it. I appreciate the honor of your faves designation. You're in my folder too.
Date: 12/28/2013 5:24:00 PM
Mark, I am posting my comment again since the first was lost. "Dear Mark, Your Constanza is very impressive! I was enchanted with its content and the smooth way each line flowed into the next. Wonderful use of words as well. Mahalo for making my form shine! Going into my favorites."
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/28/2013 11:17:00 PM
It was the loss of your comment that I grieved most of all and now to have it back! I've been continuing to polish it because every word in a Constanza is mightily burdened. I want it all just right. Thanks endlessly for your thoughtfulness and Happy New Year, Connie.
Date: 12/25/2013 5:58:00 AM
Wow awesome! Makes me tink of lunar eclipses too. U worded it magnificently. Nice to read u again. Mery xmas.
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/28/2013 2:43:00 PM
Thanks very much S.z. I'm just trying to do my bit for keeping interest in the real night sky alive and well. Happy new year.
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/25/2013 6:40:00 AM
Dear S.z, it's so good to welcome you here again to my site and to hear your comments again. I'm so lucky. I'll be dropping over your way soon too. Happy holidays!
Date: 12/24/2013 3:48:00 AM
- Luck in contest !!! - Happy Christmas, Mark - Have a great time with family and good friends! - Santa Claus huggs from // Anne-Lise :)
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/24/2013 8:07:00 AM
Thanks, Anne-Lise. The best of the season to you too. I look forward to your poetry in th new year.
Date: 12/23/2013 6:29:00 PM
First,I must thank you for your kind compliment to my poem, It makes one feel so appreciated to think someone regards it worthy...you made my day! As for your own, here which I am just now discovering, such beauty in each word,.and I, for one, has seen the end of day so amazing, in that fleeting moment, that one cannot keep from lamenting the brevity of such a wonder. You have captured that so well, this is wonderful !! (I have yet to try this newer form... but .how can this be topped?!
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/24/2013 8:04:00 AM
Carrie, I appreciate your kind remarks so very much. This is a reasonably difficult form, and I wouldn't like to try earning a living with it; however, having completed it, I have a measure of self-satisfaction. You should give it a try. Happy Holidays! I look forward to reading more from you in the new year.
Date: 12/23/2013 11:33:00 AM
Nicely written and merry christmas and happy hoildays to you and yours. cheri
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/23/2013 12:42:00 PM
Cherl, I cherish your visit to read my poem today and wish you peaceful, heartfelt greetings for Christmas and prosperity in the new year.
Date: 12/23/2013 8:22:00 AM
Sigh..you sure have this form down pat..Thanks again for the help. BG
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Mark Peterson
Date: 12/23/2013 12:48:00 PM
Thanks for the compliment on this poem. The many constraints serve to make the writing formulaic or mechanical. Thus, it's hard to make it poetic and lyrical. That I might have succeeded in some small regard is comforting. Merry Christmas Barbara and Happy New Year.
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