Notes About The Poem


written for the contest ; " written in the stars" sponsored by Robert James L. I will be judging my contest soon; and reading you all soon. Too: pardon my absence. Sending you all light

 

Premiere Contest WinnerCafe Terrace at Night, Vincent van Gogh

the sky resonates
with what’s written in the silk of stars,
in pulse-burned pensiveness,
penned in poignancy,
personifying pain
with yellow-gold dust,
where lament liquefies and softens
into an ethereal lake,
chronicling it with surging blue sparks ~
an evening elixir, enveloped
in confetti cravings…

this l o v e knows not
the ingredients of 
ephemeral effervescence,
as the thriving tip of twilight
manifests the magic of want, 
whilst I tremble,
engrossed in the thought
of moon-flame touch,
brimming,
   brewing,
            breathing
across cups of catharsis,
concocted with caffeinated calmness ~
aligning the inner innocence
still longing in loneliness,
amidst seated strangers
lost in their own appetizing lyrics,
clothed in cold cobalt colors,
unaware of the emptiness
they feed their mindless muse
from superficial spoons
filled with smoke and silence ~
like scattered illusions,
illustrated with surreal ink…

what if I hold onto forever fallacies
hiding within?
would I be promised
a peaceful plate of patience
beneath ineffable iridescence ~
for I’ve feverishly struggled
to rephrase the verdicts behind 
faces phasing in the haze of life,
sipping sorrow
as if it were mocha ~
balmy, bittersweet,
burning in sync with my
Swarovski crescent crooning
lullabies to diamonds dancing
in infinite nebulae,
carrying secrets the table holds,
served in sincere oblivion…

and I am still learning and healing
the soul’s breaking lines,
to leave lovelorn reveries
without losing the light of lucidity,
letting go of their narrow narrative
of me and my ache ~
of us and our heat,
as even the routined routes
could not erase what’s
handwritten in a heart made heavy…

so wait not for the
rise of supernova sanguinity ~
I am not the warmth of woven woes.
I am a charismatic chameleon,
  ~ c o m p l e x ~ cautious ~
catching comet-notes,
camouflaged in melancholic versions
of humankind,
hiding vulnerability
within firm flares of vivid vibrations…

O beloved night,
on this terrace, I devour, not alone,
but evermore lonely,
i m m e r s e d
in the forlorn frequency 
         of stellar fire…
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Nguyen Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
A little long and drawn out, in my opinion. But nice poem, regardless. Definitely “B-“ work here. Congrats are in order!
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:35 AM
What a most thoughtful comment! It did get a bit too long, i got carried away. However your opinion rating it B work doesnt define my heartbeat, which is my poetry! It isnt written to impress those that cannot feel what i express, but to release cathartically to the universe, the stars that arent skeptical but are soulful! Wish you a good life! Sending you light :)
Alhemaidy Avatar
May 11, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Very nice read! Belated Congrats! Have a nice day ~ AA
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Thank you so much abdulla! I appreciate you warm kindness always. Sending you light always
Dietrich Avatar
May 10, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Belated Congrats you give yourself a good chance to win with Brian by describing art work
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:47 AM
It was roberts contest sweet andrea! Thank you so much.
Crandall Avatar
May 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Wow, there's a lot of feelings that you paint in your word picture of Van Gogh's paint picture.
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Thank you so much dear david, appreciate your kindness truly. Sending you light always
Rodgers Avatar
May 7, 2026 at 9:09 AM
My Dear Empress, today I am standing inside the painting with you, admiring how color becomes emotion becomes color, and the night listens more than it speaks. Oh, how you let loneliness express itself instead of collapsing, turning it into something almost mythical. The “forlorn frequency of stellar fire” lingers like a truth only the night could hold and only you could write. Always a FAV! Blessings, My Dear Empress, Daniel
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:48 AM
I appreciate your fave, your beautiful comment, your warm presence truly always. Sending you light always
Croft Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 12:46 PM
I can imagine sitting on the terrace right now and watching everyone. Congratulations!
Empress Avatar
May 15, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Awwn thank you beautiful soul. Appreciate you always. Sending you light always
George Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 5:58 AM
This is sheer brilliance exposing the might and potency of using images and metaphors to invest deeper meanings to the painting even Van Gogh could have never conceived of. Your alliterations are superb. Your first stanza took my breath away. "amidst seated strangers lost in their own appetizing lyrics, clothed in cold cobalt colors, unaware of the emptiness they feed their mindless muse from superficial spoons filled with smoke and silence ~" I wonder if you wrote these lines with the image of poets like us! Kidding....! Excellent.... Congratulations on your trophy win, you exceptionally gifted friend.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Not at all, more like poets like me. Haha thank you sweet valsa. Your comments always warm my heart and soul. Sending you light, always
Liguori Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 3:51 AM
You write like a leaf tumbling in the wind; experiencing new wonders as it moves along! Your sheer brilliance never ceases to captivate and amaze me. If I could give you a place higher than first I would. Thank you for always writing for my contests and being you. Enjoy your trophy and your moment in the sun.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 4:23 AM
That is such a beautiful way to describe my writing, thank you for always being so kind and for the inspiring prompt. I write when inspired. Appreciate the placement sincerely, and grateful for your warm feedback. Sending you light, today, and always.
Singh Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
You expressed Vincent Van Gogh's painting with remarkable excellence.It is truly interesting.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Thank you so much, appreciate your thoughts always. Sending you light, always
Hind Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
has a haunting feel, "camouflaged in melancholic versions of humankind, hiding vulnerability within firm flares of vivid vibrations…" your Ekphrasis goes so so well with the painting, Ink
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Thank you sweet paige. I appreciate your kindness truly always! Sending you light, always
Bordner Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 5:55 PM
A boardwalk jester sits alone jovial in sweet sadness as he stares at the stars Van Gogh is giddy on, the aroma of absinthe is ablaze on his tonuge while the cigarette he holds burns for faith in bliss, the cafe harbors confessions of lust, broken hearts, and lonely ambition, meanwhile deep night glows with starlight unknown till now on the cobbled avenue of laughter calmy known, the wild card knows the truth, grimmaces for a rosey moment that you see him revel in your deflowering...J. A.B.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Your interpretation of the art is profound and so deep dear justin, thank you so much for your sincere response. Sending you light, always
G  Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 1:17 PM
I love the unexpected blending of modern and traditional aspects in this poem - such imaginative phrasing :) the phrase that hit hard though was "on this terrace, I devour, not alone, but evermore lonely" :'( excellent entry for the contest
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Thank you so much, it means alot when it comes from the queen of ekphrasis you! Appreciate your support always. Sending you light, always
Dietrich Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 12:43 PM
A first place win this will be. Beautiful as always, Ink. You really capture the essence of this impressionistic painting
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Goodluck writing for roberts next contest sweet andrea, since i wont be able to do it. Haha. I know ull nail it! Sending you light always
DiMino Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 8:28 AM
"clothed in cold cobalt colors, unaware of the emptiness they feed their mindless muse from superficial spoons filled with smoke and silence ~ like scattered illusions, illustrated with surreal ink…" -- Brilliant imagery. Sad, but true. Very much like Van Gogh. "lullabies to diamonds dancing in infinite nebulae, carrying secrets the table holds, served in sincere oblivion…" -- Yep, I've lived that amnesia -- mindless existence in the moment. To hell and back again, fortunate to have survived. Van Gogh indeed. Great poetry!
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Thank you so much for sharing little bit of your experience and also the lines that resonate, i appreciate your unwavering support, truly always. Sending you light always
Jones Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 5:24 AM
You paint with words of amethyst alliteration and indigo imagery with a creative cunning cadence that slow walks us to the stars! A brilliant write that you spoil us with in sharing! I look forward to reading your raw genius each time! Best wishes for the contest and blessings to you Ink Empress!
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Awwn beautiful soul! You mane my soul warm! I appreciate you beyond words could express! Thank you so much! For being here! Sending you light always
Seeker Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 5:12 AM
penned in your inimitable, heart captivating, soul stirring style, IE. Enjoyed!
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Thank you dear seeker, I appreciate you saying that. Truly means alot. Sending you light always
Lane Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Your melancholic lines have me missing my Colorado nights and the amazing number of visible stars. It's always a starry, starry night when one of van Gogh's paintings is being so descriptively interpreted. Your stellar fire burns brightly, Ink.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Your comments are as poetic as you dear linnersz, thank you so much, truly appreciate your presence. Sending you light, always
Buhagiar Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 2:03 AM
You and Van Gogh have captured the essentials of emotional loneliness. What a metaphor comparing a "charismatic chameleon" who hides vulnerability behind a complex emotion. It is a magnificent ending, with the poetic feeling in you culminating in a sense of ongoing healing. Blessings.
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Thank you so very much for understanding and feeling my poem, i appreciate your kindness and support truly always. Sending you light always dear victor
Cunningham Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 2:00 AM
What a stunning interpretation of the painting IE, you never disappoint your reader. Hope you're keeping well. Tom
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Thank you so much dear tom, for your unwavering support always, im grateful truly. Sending you light always
Onpaper Avatar
May 4, 2026 at 1:10 AM
sky resonates with what’s written in the silk of stars, oooo that is gorgeous!!!pulse-burned pensiveness, penned in poignancy, personifying pain with yellow-gold dust, evening elixir, enveloped in confetti cravings…cups of catharsis, concocted with caffeinated calmness .. oooo alliterationsss!! Swarovski crescent crooning lullabies to diamonds dancing in infinite nebulae,Love it! wait not for the rise of supernova sanguinity l am not the warmth of woven woes. Mmmmmm absolutely divine! beloved night, on this terrace, I devour, not alone, but evermore lonely, immersed in the forlorn frequency of stellar fire…oooooo that ending is a mic drop !!!! Breathtaking piece!!! Perfect pairing for a marvelous piece..
Empress Avatar
May 5, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Papi in a serious mood i see! Thank you so much!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace