Oh Baneful Yellow Moon

Oh baneful yellow Moon in fullest rounded sphere,
Bright as Summers Buttercups in abundant yield,
Coldly riveted upon Winters beaten, thin silvered panels;
Thereof: By ye mighty hammer doth great thoth wield!

For what fearful trowel gouged out thine far flung valleys
Whilst piling high upon yon monstrous heights?
Wherest, scattering the bare pebbles, a ghostly sower 
Coursing across vast cratered plains under Selenian moonlights.

Here once didst thou swelling tides ever invade long vanished shores
Dragged upon by some dwindling, exploded, far distant star;
An atmosphere girdling, warming and nurturing  -
Torn from this barren rock and cast way out afar!

Eternally ostracized and deviled, adorned in black swirling robes;
Drifting angular grains heaped - raked by hot solar winds;
Your desolate kingdoms lit in all seasons under heavenly lanterns;
Worshiped and foully cursed upon: for any amount - and all manner of sins.

And ere did erstwhile lovers that ever come forth on bended knee,
To traverse the pale beams that twist about the crooked stiles,
Pledge well intended oaths beneath high, impossible windows:
Their grandly draped balconies and balustrades bathed in luminosities wiles.

When across the recorded centuries of histories misted-veiled years,
from the quill of the old sage, from the high lilt of the bard,
Your pensive countenance disaffected and of a cheerless tilt -
Hanging upon sharply crested vestiges of reckless disregard!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Cresswell Avatar
September 17, 2017 at 3:47 PM
I like your poem but I am torn between your view of her and mine. For me she is the mother, goddess of the womb and much more. Your poetry is clever and I have come to need a daily serving to keep my mind dreaming. I hope you do not think this is meant as a criticism.
Fleming Avatar
September 18, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Hi, Patricia. No I most definitely do not think it is unfair criticism. On more than quite a few occasions I have been given good advice...and a little constructive criticism to boot! "Now't wrung with a lit-ul bit-a criticism, lass"! Thats Northern talk for you. :) Hope you finally got a good nights sleep, Mrs Night-Owl! :) john
Sietesantos Avatar
July 9, 2015 at 4:01 PM
Oh, I am intrigued by your beguiling yellow moon! What a beautiful write this is - so mesmerizing that it put a spell on me! Brilliant write with awesome imagery! I love it, John, rate it a solid 7! Bravo. Pandita
Fleming Avatar
July 11, 2015 at 2:01 PM
Hi, Pandita. Nice to see you visiting once again - I hope everything is going well for you! Thank you so much for the kind comments - They are very much appreciated! My very best regards, Pandita!! :) john
Fleming Avatar
March 2, 2015 at 1:53 AM
Hi, Kelly. Nice to see you again! I enjoyed writing this poem. Unlike a lot of my poems, which can sometimes takes months to write, this one only took me a couple of days. Thanks for the visit and kind comments...you are always welcome here! :) john.
Deschler Avatar
March 1, 2015 at 3:31 PM
The mysterious moon has inspired poets for centuries, and is it any wonder!... This is very elegant and beautifully worded, John. A truly enjoyable poem!
Fleming Avatar
June 8, 2015 at 12:48 PM
Thanks, Kelly. Its a real pleasure for me to see you visiting once again. My very best regards to you!! :) john.
Hamilton Avatar
February 26, 2015 at 3:41 AM
a superb description of our lovely moon John great pen hugs
Fleming Avatar
February 26, 2015 at 6:27 AM
Many thanks, Shadow! You are most welcome here always. My very best regards!! Your friend... :) john.
Chircop Avatar
February 21, 2015 at 4:25 PM
You describe the moon so beautifully and its light so radiantly.It is not an easy style that you've used,but you did honour to poetry..Charma B-)
Fleming Avatar
February 21, 2015 at 7:33 PM
Thank you, Charmaine! This very beautiful comment of yours has touched my heart! Your visits are most welcome. :) john.
Gray Avatar
February 20, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Love the historical imagery in this piece John, its a magical treasure of pictures. I saw a yellow moon recently, it was beautiful, something really special, as is your poem. Thank You John- Best Regards.
Fleming Avatar
February 20, 2015 at 3:40 PM
Nice to hear from you again, William. Yes, a big, "beached", yellow Moon is a truly beautiful sight!! Many thanks, and...Best regards!! :) john.
Itsoghole Avatar
February 19, 2015 at 5:05 PM
Nice Fleming. A nicely articulated quiddity of the moon. I cherish your style!
Fleming Avatar
February 20, 2015 at 6:11 AM
Thank you, Itsoghol! Glad to see you visiting again...best regards!! :) john.
Fleming Avatar
February 19, 2015 at 12:43 AM
Hello again, Peter! It is always a pleasure for me when you pay a visit to my poems. Thank you, Pete, for your very kind and encouraging remarks! Your friend always! :) john.
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 17, 2015 at 9:25 PM
Dear John, This poem is a masterpiece! I would hope your poetry may be purchased in tomes to be treasured! I not only fav'ed this magnificent offering, but printed it out because it is one of the best examples I have read to teach with. Bravo! Encore, encore! 7+
Fleming Avatar
February 18, 2015 at 12:19 AM
Connie, you always leave me the most generous comments!! I am honoured and proud that you should think my poem worthy of being printed off for yourself and others...thank you!! Your friend, always...john :-)
La France Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 1:03 PM
John, your poem is full of beautiful words and lines and is very well written, well done and thanks for visiting my poetry ~~
Fleming Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 2:07 PM
You are most welcome, BW. Many thanks for your kind comments regarding my poem - much appreciated!! :) john.
Fleming Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 5:11 AM
Many thanks, Alicia. Best regards! :) john.
Ward Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 3:43 AM
Careful, well-chosen vocabulary. Well done! Alicia, xx
Dietrich Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 6:15 PM
that moon sure does bring out the bard in you!!! This is great old style, john. Classic feel to your quatrains.
Fleming Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 1:56 AM
Thanks, Andre. I confess that when writing it the poem seemed possessed of a will of its own! After the very first line I was resigned to its contrivances! :-) john.
O'Leary Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 4:20 PM
Intricate... exquisite... wonderful!!!
Fleming Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Thank you, Terry! Coming from such a capable poet as your good self I will accept that as high praise indeed!! :-) john.
Squyres Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 2:20 PM
I feel a Shakespearean lilt as I read this wonderful, creative poem. I've read it three times and still I see more and know I must be missing more even with the re-readings. Your poetic pen shines golden in your hand.... honored to read this. Thank you for sharing !!
Fleming Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 2:38 PM
Thank you most kindly, Debra! As always you are most generous with your lovely comments...It is very much appreciated!! :) john.
Callus Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 2:45 PM
I love the imagery, striking phrases and choice of words....awesome! Very much inspired, John; well done! #7 // paul
Fleming Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 3:14 PM
Thank you, Paul! I have to confess: I did not particularly like the poem when i first began to write it (some time ago) ,however, it is fast becoming one of my favourite poems...strange really!! :) john.
A  Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 1:11 AM
A wonderful poem John, amazing imagery... :)Have yourself a sweet valentine's Day. ~SKAT LOVE~
Fleming Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 2:50 AM
Thank you, Skat! Happy Valentines day to you! Thanks for the visit - it is good to see you again! :-) John.
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
February 13, 2015 at 6:55 PM
Incredible, John...I love your chosen words, emotion and imagery. ...swelling tides ever invade long distant shores...wow! I get lost in your poetic language...hugs, Rhonda
Fleming Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 2:44 AM
Thank you, Rhonda! As always you are most kind! I always appreciate your comments! :-) john.
Nunez Avatar
February 13, 2015 at 6:36 PM
Awesome write...wonderful tapestry, beautiful, compelling read...makes one want to come back for more... 7!Happy Valentine smiles from the land of thousand isles...Kim:)
Fleming Avatar
February 14, 2015 at 2:37 AM
Thank you, kim! You are most welcome here anytime...happy Valentines day! :-) john.
Pinet Avatar
February 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM
The conscious mind extends itself beyond our norms and we enter a world composed of reality defused with imagination where beauty is tentative and so precious as to awe us with its purity and scare us with its fragility. Well done. Emile. #7
Fleming Avatar
February 11, 2015 at 7:04 PM
Thank you, Emile! Beautifully put - as only a poet could put it!! Best regards! :-) john.
Leiser Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 1:40 PM
Masterful piece of work! I love your command of words as you describe all manner of aspects related to the moon and the possibilities of it's past history. I admire those that can write this way, a big 7 from me.
Fleming Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 1:47 PM
Laura, you are most kind! I will let you into a little secret: anyone can write like i do...it just takes a little imagination and the patience to seek out new words. Its all rather fun really...many thanks!! :) john.
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