sara Etgen-Baker Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

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Poem written for and submitted to “PLUM” Poetry Contest, Miranda Hawley, sponsor, November 18, 2025. 

INTERLUDE

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A gull's shadow skims the salt-wet dock  
where driftwood whispers to the tide:  
Peace is the pause between two waves  
that never break but swell and sigh.  
Love is the bruise on a stranger's apple,  
offered freely when the market stalls.  
Understanding? The cracked church bell  
that rings for weddings and for funerals.  
Mercy is the rain that falls  
on both the grave and the dandelion.

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Line Gauthier December 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM Love this, Sara. Touching ~

Joe Maverick November 19, 2025 at 11:38 PM A most descriptive poem Sara, rich in Allegory, all the best in the contest.' sara Etgen-Baker November 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM wow, Joe!!!! thank you for those encouraging words

Sotto Poet November 19, 2025 at 9:26 AM A cohesive theme and an effective use of imagery, dear Sara. The comparison of peace to the pause between waves and love to a bruise offered freely is thought-provoking and impactful. sara Etgen-Baker November 24, 2025 at 6:15 PM thanks, dear Sotto, for your encouraging comments about my poem's imagery. Always grateful you find my poems meaningful, Texas hugs, Sara

Victor Buhagiar November 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM Great poem. You use objects to show your power. sara Etgen-Baker November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM wow, thank you, Victor.

Daniel Henry Rodgers November 18, 2025 at 8:40 AM Dear Sara, I really like how you let everyday thing, a dock, an apple, a bell, carry such big ideas without weighing them down. It’s the kind of poem that makes you slow down and take it in, almost like an interlude itself. Beautifully Done, Autumn Blessings, Dear Sara, Daniel sara Etgen-Baker November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM wow, thank you, Daniel, for your indepth and insightful comments....glad the words made you slow down...that means a great deal...have a blessed week, Sara