Aflame Reversed

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'Keelmen Heaving in Coals by Night' by Turner

(1835, National Gallery of Art, Washington),



Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
singed by sullen Sol, not stayed by Poseidon's hand;
aflame, aflame, the tall ship burns, see the masts ignite.

Unpenitent the sky rains ash blackening the night
the fire sends a smoky pall upon the sea and land
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.

Fire eats the air, it snuffs man's breath, death maybe their plight,
yet, all hands come to the Captains call, his to command
aflame, aflame, the tall ship burns, see the masts ignite.

Hell's inferno's come a calling on this sun lit night
a foul wind blows, the fire roars, and so the flames are fanned
burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight.

Without their ship, the crew were lost, debtors they'd alight
they went up like straw scarecrows shriven by the brand
aflame, aflame, the tall ships burn, see their masts ignite.

Burning cinders catch the dock, the workers run in fright.
Pain and heart ache fill the wharf still they must disband.
Burnished gold, aged bronze patinaed by the firelight
aflame, aflame, the tall ship burns, see the masts ignite.


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Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 9/2/2013 12:46:00 PM
An awesome write to win the Reverse Poem Contest of Craig Cornish on 8/27/2013. I haven't seen something like this written, lately. Congrats! -Mohammad
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Date: 8/29/2013 11:26:00 PM
blazing all over, debbie... sweet congrats on your win!..:) huggs
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Date: 8/29/2013 5:07:00 PM
A freakin villanelle reverse poem?...No way cher!... I must be hallucinating but I SWEAR I haven't dropped acid in years...
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Date: 8/29/2013 2:57:00 PM
wow, a villanelle no less!! that's what I call an achievement. Awesome win with your stunning poem, Debs.
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Date: 8/29/2013 10:58:00 AM
Congrats on your creative winning work..I think this is one of the best..The repeating lines lend to easier reading backwards and forwards..Sara
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Date: 8/29/2013 9:41:00 AM
Big congratulations on your win, Debbie! I love the images of a ship aflame. Great action is felt throughout the poem as if I were there watching the masts ignite! Best Wishes. have a wonderful weekend. Peace & Love, Andrew.
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Date: 8/28/2013 9:59:00 AM
A sizzling write and win!
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Date: 8/28/2013 9:06:00 AM
good going DG... PD
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Date: 8/28/2013 7:21:00 AM
Haunting quality to this piece. Congratulations.
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Date: 8/27/2013 6:22:00 PM
beautiful! congrats on your win!
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Date: 8/27/2013 6:18:00 PM
Congrats to you on your win. Morgan
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Date: 8/27/2013 4:09:00 PM
congrats on a great win Debbie
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Date: 8/27/2013 4:06:00 PM
Ah....wonderful....congratulations....
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Date: 8/26/2013 1:41:00 PM
great write.....I like the form you used ...
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Date: 8/25/2013 3:37:00 PM
My fave...read in reverse! My fave lines....13/14/15....LINE 16 is the best line on soup I have read....to mine faves....A REAL soup classic! Needs to be published....I can see you worked hard on this, love....BRAVO! jimbo
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Date: 8/25/2013 9:09:00 AM
A glowing image! Beautiful, Deb! jimbo
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