Halcyon

Halcyon – 10-6-23 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Halcyon Across the still and placid lake Halcyon drifts In misty cloaks of tranquility Stitched with twilight patches of contentment, Bits of unbound moonlight Bow In courtly minuets On adagio waves Then lightly skim the face of the shore With twilight fragments Of fading mauve As velvet vespers of soft chimes Calm the ghostly wraiths of torrid afternoons With dusky balms, To slowly stumble into mantles of lavender’s eiderdown Wrapped in shawls of gently rocking barcaroles As doves and nightingales Sing remnants of dawn and dusk Into lyric seams of rounded swells Capturing serenity in the cloth of fading light Shedding calm shadows on untroubled waters.

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Constance La France

Date: 10/20/2023 1:02:00 PM

Sam, a wonderful creative poem and congratulations on your win in my contest, Constance

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/12/2023 2:41:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. A creative write. I really enjoyed it. Have a blessed day writing away......................

Bill Baker

Date: 10/7/2023 3:28:00 PM

Splendid poetry, Sam. This one earns its way onto my FAVs list, my friend. Your word choices were exquisite, painting scene after scene with eloquent imagery. The poem flowed well and was a rhythmic read. A winner in the wings for this contest, Sam. Have a great weekend! Bill

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/11/2023 11:18:00 AM

Bill, I am so honored and grateful for your fav! This poem is based on Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique with its rolling harmonic beauty like watching a lake at twilight. The idea for the poem came from a movie that highlighted these views and wove the music throughout the story. Thank you for your lovely feedback - as lovely as moonlight on water! Blessings!

Silent One

Date: 10/7/2023 7:23:00 AM

I love this poem Sam, a clever idea for the prompt.. Your selection and arrangement of words really helps with the reading of this poem and the imagery it creates.. I feel at peace reading your words and calm overcomes me... now that is the beauty of poetry.. Blessings.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/11/2023 10:50:00 AM

Thank you so much SO! It is indeed a great compliment to know that you love this poem and that it brought you a sense of peace and serenity! I have always loved looking at calm waters at night and so happy that sense of peace translated into this poem. And, I agree, creating an atmosphere is part of the rich beauty of poetry. We are, indeed, blessed to be part of a community of poets called to do just that! Sending you continued blessings of calm along with my gratitude!

Ink Empress

Date: 10/6/2023 10:43:00 PM

Dear sam your way with words blow me away really! So beautiful and soulfully divine. Especially the opening really is captivating! I love the imagery you’ve painted there. So good! I saw as i read the fading mauve and dusky balms, heard them doves and nightingales sing, clothe of fading light! You’ve written it all in such a moving manner! Soul hitting! And your way with using words and pairing them is so clever and creative!! This is another impeccable one from u! That left me in awe

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/11/2023 10:38:00 AM

Hi Inky! Thank you so much! I am always so grateful for your all inclusive feedback touching on so many elements of a poem! This poem was based on a movie that wove Beethoven's Sonata Pathique throughout the movie creating such a poignant sense of serenity and peacefulness. That sense I have tried to put into words. I feel so affirmed by your lovely feedback - especially from a fellow poet who is a master of poetic imagery, color and phrasing! Thank you for such a lovely gift! Sending you blessings of peace and serenity! Hugs!!

Hilo Poet

Date: 10/6/2023 5:04:00 PM

I can envision both Beethoven and Brahms claiming lyrical rights, Sam, my friend! Brilliant expedition of priceless words that champions a journey where few have trekked. Touring eyes will be a companion of no regrets. Na ka 'Uhane Hemolele e ho'opomaika'i ia 'oe, Aloha, William

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/9/2023 11:06:00 AM

Mahalo, ka'u hoaaloha! Mahalo nui no kou nani nana'o nana'o! You have gone straight to the heart of this poem with your musical heart! It is based on Beethoven's Pathetique sonata! na pomaika'i o ka hauoli ia oe! Hope that is correct!

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 10/6/2023 4:17:00 PM

Peaceful, calming and beautiful Sam, wonderful Halcyon poetry, “Shedding calm shadows on untroubled waters.” ~ Belle

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/9/2023 10:10:00 AM

Thank you so much Belle! There were many nights when I would look across the water as a child, lost in their serenity! So grateful for your lovely feedback! Blessings of autumn serenity to you!

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 10/6/2023 2:25:00 PM

this seems to be about the mythical halcyon bird..i always get lost in your beautiful words, they are a joy to read..should do very well in the contest :)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/9/2023 10:07:00 AM

Hi Charlotte! I am so deeply touched by your beautiful feedback! Thank you for this gift. We are so blessed to be able to create magic with words and I love your poems where I get lost in the enchantment they create! In our world of chaos and barbaric actions I believe we need a halcyon haven. Constance' contest theme came at just the right time! Hope you are doing well. Sending you blessings of calm and peace!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/6/2023 1:51:00 PM

- "Suspend the ghostly twists of burning afternoons" ... excellet line ... "velvet vespers of soft chimes" ... many great puns throughout the poem, Sam :) - Love it :) - Best wishes in the contest - Have a lovely weekend :) - hugs

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/6/2023 2:10:00 PM

Thank you so much, Anne-Lise! I have to admit this theme had me mulling and pondering! It was inspired by a Morgan Freeman movie, The Magic of Belle Island which left me under a "halcyon" spell! I am so glad you enjoyed this poem. So grateful for your good wishes and gracious compliments! Hope you, as well, have a wonderful weekend! We are having a four day heat wave that I have loved - summer's last breath! Blessings and hugs to you!!

Paige Hind

Date: 10/6/2023 1:39:00 PM

Very beautiful, Sam. I especially liked the last line.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 10/6/2023 2:12:00 PM

Thank you so much, Paige. Spent some time looking for a way to bring this poem to a natural conclusion!!! Thank you for affirming my efforts! Have a wonderful weekend! Blessings and hugs to you!