Laura Leiser Poet Sonnet

Hart Island

When night calls moaning winds to come
‘midst chilling currents from the Sound
Hart Island’s hidden souls rest from
life’s heartaches known above the ground. 

Come hear the raven’s haunting cries
as slanting shadows overtake 
to grip forgotten graves that lie
in scattered fields’ neglected state. 

An ancient tarnished bell is rung
by nothing save the wailing winds
its clanging haunts, it’s notes are flung
like pleading cries to cover sins. 

Forbidden shores where tombstones lie
a hallowed ground ‘neath stormy skies.

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Sara Kendrick December 8, 2023 at 4:19 AM I like this one. It is very descriptive and expressive. I could feel the presence of those gone on before in the wind and waves. Thanks for sharing it with us and for dropping by my page. Sara K Laura Leiser December 8, 2023 at 6:56 AM Thank you for your supportive comments, Sara! I wanted to capture the feel and angst of the history of Hart Island.

Susan Ashley November 30, 2023 at 5:17 PM Dear Laurie, your sonnet is exquisite in rhythm, rhymes and imagery! I just adore the melancholy atmospheric mood you have so deftly created. Your pensive couplet is a grand finale to a potent and mournful piece. A fav my friend! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Laura Leiser December 2, 2023 at 5:33 PM Thank you for faving my poem, dear Susan! I couldn’t have a better compliment than this from such a talented poet as yourself! Msy you and your family have a blessed Christmas season this year! :)

Richard Lamoureux November 20, 2023 at 9:16 AM An excellent atmospheric piece. I enjoyed reading your sonnet. Laura Leiser November 20, 2023 at 5:12 PM Thank you, Richard! So glad you stopped by to comment! :)

Daniel Turner November 15, 2023 at 7:35 PM This is an excellent sonnet Laura. In form and content. Bravo!!! Laura Leiser November 15, 2023 at 8:27 PM Thank you so much, Daniel! I really appreciate your kind comments and am glad you liked this! :)

Christina Bowring November 7, 2023 at 9:58 AM What a wonderful sonnet Laura. It’s very atmospheric- hauntingly, beautifully written. Very sad too,’ Life’s heartaches known above the ground’ ‘ to grip forgotten graves that lie’.The ending couplet is magnificent. A very creative write. Made even more poignant by it being a forlorn place that actually exists where those poor souls lay to rest. So enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you :):) Laura Leiser November 7, 2023 at 5:26 PM Thank you so much, Christina, for your kind comments about my poem. I truly appreciate it! :)

Michelle Faulkner November 1, 2023 at 12:18 PM Something very gothic here, feels a bit like Poe with the moaning winds and tarnished bell, both lifeless and menancing, like a zombie graveyard perhaps? Laura Leiser November 2, 2023 at 6:12 AM Actually, Hart Island is a real place on the Long Island Sound in New York. It is a place where they bury the poor. Many people were buried there during Covid. Thanks for commenting, Michelle!