Sotto Poet Poet Other

Palimpsest of Absence

Written: July 24, 2026 for a contest sponsored by Brian Strand

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Note: This is the Open (organic) VERSE created by Brian Strand and using spaces&breaks without grammatical symbols; the ' open' relies upon 'the one breath limitation' (intuitive cadence)& so inherently requires the 'reader' (reciter) to input and respond, thus making this enigmatic form a two-way interplay & interpretation unique to the moment

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wordless
   sanctum
      portals
cleaving
   anchored
in
   invocations
      shroud-bound
   effulgence—
 vellum
    &alabaster
fluttering
   guising flesh
 in 
  a clean slate
      fettered
by
      silence

ghost-scripted
   expunged
      orisons
         canvas 
            bloom
   weathered sheen
of
   tether-tint
a 
   nailing soul
interlaced
      exhumed
   unbegotten
      ebbing voice
   forgotten
      in a
   breach
 of
   canonical hours
as 
   seeds 
      sprouting—
sky etched
      wave-washed
   sentence
retribution
   under
      a  dust-turn
   of
      ink
  & oblivion

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sara Etgen-Baker July 31, 2026 at 11:04 AM loved these words: alabaster fluttering guising flesh as well as 'ghost scripted." I can't say it enough: I'm in awe of your talent and your intellect. wishing you well.

I Am Anaya July 27, 2026 at 11:21 AM Congratulations on a most deserved top win, Sotto! The archaic is rubbed off the parchment reused, traces hinder, a modern art form is in one breath and in the moment. I love pondering your words beyond the usual. *poem (fav) & Liking. Blessings

Krishnanand Guptar July 27, 2026 at 4:03 AM Congratulations dear poet on sharing the top podium in this contest with a fluidly flowing poem carved in the new open verse form with varios layers of imagery. Sending you the blessings of light.

Karen Jones July 27, 2026 at 3:55 AM Wow! You’re so talented and of course you earned a top win in Brian’s contest. Congratulations Sotto!

Paige Hind July 25, 2026 at 10:06 PM gorgeous writing, Sotto....deep language " guising flesh" ...that end is so much like what I feel