Sam Kauffman Poet Free verse

A Sitka Sunset

A Sitka Sunset

Mute wind chimes on the Totem Trail
 Ring through purple mists in
Platinum testimony to evergreens adorned in dusk
And leftovers from raindrops splashing from totem beaks,
Cedar poles rise from dense fogs
Of myths and warriors and family lore
Shrouding thunderbirds in legends as day retreats.

Life cycles carved in family crests on tribal poles,
Guardians of the lodge with ancient ancestry
In pounding drums of blue-violet 
Borrowed from aurora’s glistening breath -
Neon rose from realms of the faithful midnight sun.

Wide eyed, the trickster’s face looks 
Upon long violet hours of summer nightfall,
A borealis golden glow on still waters  
Recalls the carvers awl and plane
Tools that capture crystal enchantment
Like newborn waves from Orca’s fluke.

Eagle, bear and beaver, with sentient eyes,
 Bathed in fragile rose of a waxing strawberry moon,
Follow long sunbeams wending through forest trails  
In twilight colored prisms
For silent storytellers,
Prophetic voices chant through days of midnight
And frail twilights
On the Totem’s Trail as sunset rises.

5-24-23
Contest: Sitka Alaska Sunset
Sponsor: Craig Cornish

In Alaskan folktales the Raven is the trickster
Thunderbirds, bears, orcas, beavers, eagles are prominent on totem poles made of cedar.
In Sitka there is a park displaying totem poles.

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Charlotte Puddifoot June 20, 2023 at 7:59 AM this one is my personal favourite in this contest..i can see so much thought, research and detail has gone into the writing of it..it's a superb, original take on the theme; i like the way you've built the poem around the totem poles, it really takes me there..i can't tell you how much i love this poem! congrats on your win :) Sam Kauffman June 22, 2023 at 12:30 PM Charlotte, thank you so much. Having grown up in the northwest with totems I was intrigued by their history and use. A fun research adventure. Fun to put all of that into a poem that both reminded me of home and of long, summer twilights! I am so honored by your feedback with its gentle nudge of motivation!!! I am grateful! Your feedback means a lot to me. Sending you blessings of long summer twilights!

W J Clarke June 19, 2023 at 11:42 AM A really informative captivating write. Creative and educational. Thank you, Sam. Congratulations on your win :-) Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:46 AM Hi WJ! Thank you for your message of congratulations! It is an honor being on the winners list with so many wonderful poems. Writing this poem was a special experience as it brought me back to the long summer twilights of my childhood and a new appreciation of the totems. It was fun to share through this poem. Blessings to you!!

Kim Rodrigues June 19, 2023 at 7:49 AM Congratulations, Sam! My sisters and I would replace my missing brother with a pumpkin on Halloween so when I was with my brother in Alaska, we held hands with each other and a totem on each side (my sisters) :) Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:42 AM Hi Kim! So appreciate your note of congratulations. Thank you! What a special experience you had with your brother and the totems. I had a delightful time learning more about these northwest treasures and remembering the long twilights of summer. Blessings to you.

Suzette Richards June 19, 2023 at 12:02 AM Congratulations on your placement, Sam, with this very informative piece. I learned something new at every turn. Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:39 AM Thank you so much for your note of congratulations Suzette! Having grown up in the northwest with totems I really took them for granted. This contest, and the discovery of the Totem Park, was a wonderful opportunity to be enriched by them. Sending you blessings!

Christuraj Alex June 18, 2023 at 9:30 PM Picturesque scenario. Beautiful word painting. Congratulations! Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:36 AM Thank you so much Chris. Summer sunsets in the northwest and Alaska are a slow journey into rich colors. Blessings to you!

Susan Ashley June 3, 2023 at 8:07 AM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, right off, I was struck by the verse "Mute wind chimes on the Totem Trail"! It set the tone for a spectacular journey. The use of imagery in your majestic poem is breathtaking; "newborn waves from Orca’s fluke" -Wow! that jumps off the page and flies with my heart's imagination to new heights of grandeur! Your grand use of far-north Nature, Native American nuances, colors and animals captures the mystical spirit of this amazing place with rich and textured finesse. An inspiring, exquisite and extraordinary master work of poetry, my sweet sis! Warmest wishes and hugs sent on neon lights dancing cross the skies.. ~Susan Susan Ashley June 6, 2023 at 12:58 PM Dear Sam, how beautiful and lush your memories are of growing up in such a mystical magical place. Thank you for amazing reply (I can imagine and appreciate all of it..) and for sharing your treasured experiences through your cherished poem.. your poetic pen is simply splendid sweet poetry sis! Sam Kauffman June 5, 2023 at 9:03 PM My Dearest Rhyme Time Friend, your message fills my heart like the beauty of a long summer twilight of rose, coral and gold in the northwest and Alaska! Having grown up in the northwest I remember long twilights in the summer and the lingering colors. It was one of my favorite times of year to watch the slow coming of evening. It is a mystical experience blending the mystery of northwest legends and these beautiful totem poles. This contest was such a wonderful opportunity to remember all of these experiences. I am so honored that you enjoyed this twilight experience and all of its nuances with me. Thank you for sharing this sunset. Sending you a multitude of blessings on wisps of pink and Rose sweet poetry sis!

Eve Roper May 31, 2023 at 10:28 AM Lovely imagery to your beautiful verse, my friend. Many blessings your way with hugs Soup Mail ,, Sam Kauffman June 22, 2023 at 12:35 PM Still catching up! Thank you so much Eve for your wonderful feedback! Warmed my heart and put a :) on my face. Sending you bunches of blessings and gratitude for the work you are doing on the nursery rhyme book. Grace and peace dear friend!

Ann Peck May 27, 2023 at 8:01 AM Ah, Sam - the beauty you write. Poetry is in your soul. And I thought sitka was a huge tree! Your brushstrokes of Native American culture are so beautiful-- "newborn waves from orca's flute." "Bathed in fragile rose of a waxing strawberry moon." Surely a winner! Sam Kauffman June 22, 2023 at 12:42 PM Hi Anne! Your lovely note is a joy to read. What beautiful feedback! Was out of town when your message came through, then contracted an ear infection! :( All is well now and I am just catching up! Thank you for your patience with me. Have been writing for a long time but it is the influence of PS, what I have learned through contests and the feedback of dear friends that has helped me grow my poet's soul in countless ways. I thank my God for all of you. Sending you blessings of peace and grace!

Michelle Faulkner May 26, 2023 at 3:51 PM I used to work for Alaska Airlines, and while I have not been to Sitka, I have visited Ketchikan, AK, and your imagery of the totem poles and 'violet hours of summer nightfall' and the animals of nature bring it all back, hope this does well for you in the contest~ Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:53 AM Hi Michelle! Loved hearing about your experiences in Alaska. You do have a wonderful variety of experiences in your past! With both of us being from the northwest we have experienced the luxurious lazy summer twilights. So much fun to share! Hope you are doing well. Blessings.

Anne-Lise Andresen May 24, 2023 at 12:30 PM - Great details described with sound and beautiful colors ... an excellent poem, Sam :) - Best wishes in the contest ... hope it will be a top win :) - hugs Sam Kauffman June 21, 2023 at 9:49 AM Hi Anne-Lise, thank you so much for your lovely note. It was such a joy to share the delight of long summer twilights. I know you have experienced this delight with Norway being so far north! Long days of summer - short, dark days of winter! Blessings and hugs to you!

Sotto Poet May 24, 2023 at 11:50 AM This is such a beautiful metaphorical poem about the Sitka sunset, Sam. Your beautiful word choice and vivid pictures have left me in awe of your writing. Your literary abilities have added even more splendor to something that was already rather lovely. I hope you have a lot of success in the contest.