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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Bickerstaffe Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 9:20 PM
Excellent phrasing and imagery also...
Bickerstaffe Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 10:41 PM
I shoulda noticed! sorry...
Peterson Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 9:29 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.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
February 18, 2016 at 9:18 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
Jerden Avatar
February 12, 2014 at 5:29 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.
Peterson Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Thanks, Roy. I think it should be a new one. This would be a fun topic.
May Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 11:07 AM
Great write Mark...congrats on your win
Peterson Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 12:25 PM
You too, Joseph. I enjoyed your poem very much.
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 7:57 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!!
Peterson Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 8:40 PM
It's confusing and somewhat disheartening. Going from DNP to first is quite a roller coaster.
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 7:56 PM
wow, your constanza is so elegant and stylish! I can see why you got first place. Congratulations.
Peterson Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 8:39 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.
Dietrich Avatar
January 5, 2014 at 7:06 PM
yep, a fave poet!!
Peterson Avatar
January 5, 2014 at 7:40 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.
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 28, 2013 at 5:24 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."
Peterson Avatar
December 28, 2013 at 11:17 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.
Kamoonpuri Avatar
December 25, 2013 at 5:58 AM
Wow awesome! Makes me tink of lunar eclipses too. U worded it magnificently. Nice to read u again. Mery xmas.
Peterson Avatar
December 28, 2013 at 2:43 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.
Peterson Avatar
December 25, 2013 at 6:40 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!
Andresen Avatar
December 24, 2013 at 3:48 AM
- Luck in contest !!! - Happy Christmas, Mark - Have a great time with family and good friends! - Santa Claus huggs from // Anne-Lise :)
Peterson Avatar
December 24, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Thanks, Anne-Lise. The best of the season to you too. I look forward to your poetry in th new year.
Richards Avatar
December 23, 2013 at 6:29 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?!
Peterson Avatar
December 24, 2013 at 8:04 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.
Dunn Avatar
December 23, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Nicely written and merry christmas and happy hoildays to you and yours. cheri
Peterson Avatar
December 23, 2013 at 12:42 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.
Gorelick Avatar
December 23, 2013 at 8:22 AM
Sigh..you sure have this form down pat..Thanks again for the help. BG
Peterson Avatar
December 23, 2013 at 12:48 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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