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Of Once Was

shadows of mountains 
reflecting on a still lake 
a strong wind blows in 
continuous whitecaps drift 
rows of ripples fade near shore 

falls soon arrival
turned mountains brown and naked 
trees in skeleton 
hold nests with broken eggshells
that echo through the forest  

heat related torch 
wildfires engulf the mountains 
killing everything 
extinguished ashes remain 
the residue of once was

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Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/19/2025 5:18:00 PM

I love how the last line summarizes each of the three verses....doing so takes skill and patience. Faving. Wishing you a splendid evening, Sara

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/19/2025 12:55:00 PM

That final line is SO awesome. It is a super tie-up of the entire set, Charles.

Charles Messina
Date: 8/19/2025 1:57:00 PM

Thanks so much, Andrea. Coming from you that means a lot. Ya know, I'm not even sure if I did it right, it is my first attempt at this form, so my fingers are crossed (lol) Much appreciated!