Mark Peterson Poet Free verse

Apotheosis

idealism of youth

mélange of 
dreams and prayers—
disparate yet intertwined—
assembled in their thunderous ranks
to echo past myriad
gleaming colonnades that
buttress evermore eternity

self-betrayal and realization

stolid mind shattered
by coruscant might,
and one's irreverent yearn
in shards was rent asunder,
bereft of merit but who
transformed amid the filth—
banality dismissed

sorrow and reconciliation

grieving stream of years
torn from Chronos’
pavilions tattered—
first estranged but then
with fairness stemmed
life's passing entourage—
muted those who would upbraid

apotheosis

were you there
you might have seen
time begging after destiny,
which turned aside
what once had been—
transcendent he continued then
past worlds without an end

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Keith Bickerstaffe February 18, 2016 at 8:36 PM I am in awe at the extent and the correct usage of your vocabulary. It leads to magnificent imagery. Well done indeed (PS Your title reminded me of the description often given to Beethoven's Seventh Symphony ~ the apotheosis of the dance.) Best wishes, Keith Mark Peterson February 18, 2016 at 10:29 PM Immense gratitude. Who knows where this stuff comes from.

Pace Ink-U-Script June 10, 2014 at 2:18 PM I'm truly loving this free verse of yours. You have one heck of a powerful voice indeed! Excellent piece..thank you for informing me to stop by Mark...enjoyed! Mark Peterson June 10, 2014 at 2:23 PM Pace, thank you so much for commenting on this poem. It has many levels of expression for those concerned enough to sort through all the prosaic.

Mel Merrill May 4, 2014 at 2:01 AM Excellent, Mark. One of my favs. Beautifully written and skillfully expressed. Nicely done, my friend. Kudos. ~M Mark Peterson May 4, 2014 at 10:11 AM Thank you so much, Mel. I am deeply honored.

Jack Horne April 27, 2014 at 7:52 AM awesome write here, my friend Mark Peterson April 30, 2014 at 11:30 AM Bless you, Jack. I so appreciate your visit and words.

Roy Jerden April 26, 2014 at 6:02 PM Mark, you have clearly found a new voice and style. Your free verse seems almost like a Japanese form. Sparse with filler words, but dense in allusive meanings, requiring several readings and contemplation. You aim high, my friend. Mark Peterson April 26, 2014 at 7:40 PM Roy, thanks for your thoughtful and incisive comments. I love your notion of allusive meanings, a word I haven't sufficiently considered. Who knows where this stuff comes from...or where it goes.

Kim Van Breda April 26, 2014 at 2:47 PM Hi Mark This is no less than a brilliant mélange of words. I think you have transcended the English language in the expressive department with your choice of poetic painting. Loved this.. the imagery and the metaphors. Thank you for stopping by some of my poems yesterday... comments are much appreciated. Love & Blessings xx Mark Peterson April 30, 2014 at 11:41 AM Kim, I can't believe I failed to respond to your comment, which itself is transcendent. I am still floating a bit above the clouds over this. If this were the only response I had ever received for all my poetry combined, I would be content. Bless you.

Monterey Sirak April 26, 2014 at 8:57 AM You created fantastic depth in this one as you delved into the changing emotions that accompany the evolving moments of time. 77777777777s! Thank you for your visit to my poetry. Did you once live in the Ozarks? Mark Peterson April 26, 2014 at 11:53 AM I appreciate your visit and comments so much, Monterey. Truly, your are one of my favorite poets. I lived in Branson in 1993 where I did planning and design of the IMAX theater there. That was my specialty for many years. Before that I was Planetarium Curator in Denver.

Carl Fraser April 25, 2014 at 10:35 PM This is like watching evolution blossom before your eyes, nice work, Mark, Carl Mark Peterson April 26, 2014 at 6:48 AM Wonderful to get your visit Carl, and I appreciate the notion that perhaps I have evolved along with my poetry.

Karen Anglesey April 25, 2014 at 9:00 PM I like the visuals of going back through the ages just by your word choices. Very thoughtfully crafted. It gives the reader much to ponder. The depth is spectacular. Well done friend :) Karen Anglesey April 25, 2014 at 10:28 PM I've been away for a while too. Mark Peterson April 25, 2014 at 10:07 PM Many, many thanks for these kind words, Karen. Just now reconnecting with friends after some absence when I could summon no verse.

Sarai Virden April 23, 2014 at 2:42 AM "Time begging after destiny" such a deep and gripping poem. It truly captured both my heart and my mind. A beautiful piece my dear! Mark Peterson April 23, 2014 at 8:58 AM Thank you so very much, Sarai. So good to see you on my page. I think of you often and hope you're doing well. Love your poetry.

Joseph May April 22, 2014 at 1:42 PM Awesome write Mark...I like how each stanza ends with an uplifting line..a vivid journey Mark Peterson April 23, 2014 at 1:48 AM Thanks for this comment, Joseph. I hadn't realized at all that I ended the stanzas this way. Nice to rediscover my words through another's eyes--more wide open than my own.

Connie Marcum Wong April 22, 2014 at 1:11 AM Ohhhhh, this is impressive Mark. I especially love how you ended this. Poetry remains timeless as this poem shall remain. Mark Peterson April 27, 2014 at 12:52 AM Oh, Connie, thought I had responded earlier. Much appreciation for your kind remarks. I seem to enjoy suspended moments and things that last forever.

Debbie Guzzi April 21, 2014 at 10:01 PM we are our own harshest judges, nice to see you here this evening. Light & Love Mark Peterson April 21, 2014 at 10:07 PM Thanks for your visit, Debbie. Alas, if we could love and forgive ourselves, the shrinks would be out of business.

Sara Kendrick April 20, 2014 at 6:08 AM I am so glad that those dreams and prayers reach to the highest heaven where God does hear them..Thanks for the visit to my page..I appreciate you taking time to read and comment 'pon my work..Sara Mark Peterson May 13, 2014 at 8:52 AM Wonderful to see your remarks, which are always pleasant and unique.

Andrea Dietrich April 17, 2014 at 10:01 PM past worlds without an end. Oh my how LONG time is -when you just sit and think about it. It boggles the mind. Your vocabulary is exalted, my friend, making your poetry some of the loftiest I have seen here! Mark Peterson April 17, 2014 at 10:23 PM Thank you so very much. Vocabulary in the everyday tedium of life is practically useless, so it is good the Soup is here to welcome (or tolerate) its expression. Regarding how long time is, a comedian said it best: "Eternity is an awfully long time—especially towards the end."

Nette Onclaud April 16, 2014 at 9:58 AM traces of life beginning and continuing... mystically wonderful,mark!..huggs Mark Peterson April 16, 2014 at 11:43 AM Thanks so much, Nette. I believe you captured my intent, and I'm so appreciative.

Anne-Lise Andresen April 16, 2014 at 6:12 AM - Just beautiful, Mark!! - Like ... especially how it ends... - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Mark Peterson April 16, 2014 at 11:47 AM Bless you Anne Lise, who keeps all our lamps lit and spirits glowing.

Neelam Sangwai April 16, 2014 at 5:36 AM Mighty powerful content. Moved! Mark Peterson April 16, 2014 at 11:50 AM Thank you so much, Neelam. I'm glad my words reached such depths within you.