John Watt Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Phases

the night as black as a newly broken heart

      increasingly 
         the crescent of a single sly smile
             outshone the vast stellar firmament 
                an enigmatic, ephemeral shooting star
 
                    subsequently
                      with a twinkle twinkle in her eyes
                       counting down to our jovial Jupiter joyride
                        waxing poetic on a comet's cosmic course
                        
                             and
                          life  was
                             Full

                         inevitably 
                        eclipsed by a brighter constellation
                       diminishing her gorgeous gibbous glow
                     our penumbra luminosity reached its nadir

                 ultimately 
              her heavenly smile inverted
           my waning orb fell from her orbit
       i splashed down in a cold, lonesome ocean

the night as black as a newly broken heart


Written 14 Aug 2022

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Vijay Pandit October 11, 2022 at 5:24 AM Wonderfully creative write, John. BIG congrats on your win and for shining near the TOP of 100 best poems.

Andrea Dietrich October 9, 2022 at 9:17 AM This is number 2 now on the list of best new poems, and I am right underneath you on the list. BIG congrats, and also for making Mark's list this time. I have lost twice in a row. Note to self (and to you) he does not go for "funny" poems. I gave him my funniest of all-time, the one with a cute song to it. What a mistake that was!!

Susan Ashley September 14, 2022 at 4:40 PM Dear Prof. PoBro, I am overwhelmed and obsessed with the clever, charming, artistic and ingenious beauty of this stellar poem. The shape is spectacular, the crescent, and the full moon moment of perfect wording, along with exquisite imagery and heavenly metaphors, and the alliteration.. oh! The alliteration! “jovial Jupiter joyride” and “comet’s cosmic course” oh! Be still my beating heart!! The poetic expression of lost love has never had a gravitational pull on my heart’s imagination as strongly as this exquisite poem. A galactic fav!!! Congratulations, John, for your excellent win in Mark’s contest. I’m so proud to share the podium with you, my inspiring friend. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~your PS-PS .. oh and your first and last line simply sublime! <3 John Watt September 20, 2022 at 5:17 PM I suppose now that I am a professor, I'd better start smoking a pipe and wearing cardigan sweaters with elbow patches, lol! You never fail to delight with your comments, dear Poetry Sis, and the way you point out specific parts make my head spin and my heart sing. I'm afraid I have fallen behind on my congratulations to you for your continued success in the marathon... to be remedied soon. Don't forget to drink lots of water! ~ PoBro

Constance La France September 12, 2022 at 10:05 AM John, wow how creative, I love this and congratulations on your win in the contest, this is a FAV for me, blessings ~ John Watt September 20, 2022 at 5:10 PM Thank you, Constance. I am honored by the Fav, and the lovely words of support you have shared. Blessings to you ~ John

Valsa George September 12, 2022 at 6:25 AM A lovely poem both in content and in format. The waning moon, once full and now eclipsed by a brighter contellation, symbolises a waning relationship, I suppose and your world turning dark! But the moon will definitely wax in time. Congratulations John on your consecutive win in the Marathon mile poetry contest John Watt September 20, 2022 at 5:09 PM Valsa, thank you for your sweet comment! The format came to me after I had posted it to Soup, it wasn't at all in my mind while writing it. I looked at the crescent moon in the sky that night and got inspired... strange how things like that play out. Nature is so evocative! Your words touch my heart, my friend. I wish you continued success in the marathon contest. Blessings ~ John

Harry Horsman September 12, 2022 at 1:36 AM Is this a waning moon i wonder, a love's relationship coming to an end, Whatever the poetry excellent, and yes the first and last lines superb. John Watt September 19, 2022 at 2:14 PM Yes, the cycles of waxing and waning sometimes play out in relationships. Thankfully, my sweetheart is a rock of Gibralter. Thanks for your kind visit, Harry ~ John

Mark Toney September 11, 2022 at 8:41 PM John, your free verse is brilliant and lovely in its composition and format. Congratulations on your win on Mile 13 of my 2022 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 14 has already started! John Watt September 11, 2022 at 10:38 PM Mark, I appreciate your kind esteem for this and for the contest... it's been a lot of fun ~ John

Christuraj Alex September 11, 2022 at 8:30 PM "as black as a newly broken heart" - Wow! Beautiful writing. Congratulations! John Watt September 11, 2022 at 10:37 PM I'm glad you liked that phrase, Christuraj. It's my favorite line of the poem. Take care, and thanks for stopping by ~ John

Andrea Dietrich September 9, 2022 at 7:43 PM I was reading a few comments and it looks like you got more faves than just mine. Maybe this will be high on that one list for top new poem!! John Watt September 10, 2022 at 12:50 AM Thanks for stopping by again, Andrea. You were very supportive of this one early on, and that gave me the confidence to enter it in the marathon.

John Gondolf September 8, 2022 at 6:26 AM "Her heavenly smile inverted and fell from orbit into a lonesome ocean" I love these poetic lines, John, and the creative way you formatted this verse. I enjoyed reading this. John John Watt September 9, 2022 at 11:19 AM Thank you for coming by, John. I'm glad you enjoyed this, and I appreciate you mentioning specific lines. Keep inspiring, my friend

Gary Radice September 4, 2022 at 3:10 AM John, for fear of repeating all that's been said I will just say that with your weaving of ideas into such a beautiful tapestry of a poem the artist in you truly shines. Very clever on so many levels. You should be so rightfully proud of this poem John. Cheers - Gary John Watt September 7, 2022 at 8:21 PM Gary, thank you very kindly for this comment and your unfailing support and encouragement. I'm not real comfortable saying I'm proud of my work, but it certainly makes my day to hear you say I ought to be. Cheers, my friend ~ John

Susan Lawrence August 28, 2022 at 8:06 AM Dearest John , So eloquent … so descriptive… so emotive … so ethereal Wow ! I love the depth and breadth of your words . A fav for me ! To be read and explored many times . Hugs and blessings, Susan :) John Watt September 3, 2022 at 4:32 PM Thank you very much, my lovely friend. You are the consummate encourager, and your positive attitude towards life seeps out of every pore of your poetry and commentary. So blessed to have you on this journey. Blessings and hugs ~ John

P.S. Awtry August 26, 2022 at 7:57 AM Beautiful words accentuated by the presentation—pure art :) ps John Watt September 3, 2022 at 4:31 PM PS, thanks for pointing out the presentation and the words, I love poems that have a bit of meaning carried along within their shape. You are too kind. Blessings ~ John

Anitha Jayasankar August 25, 2022 at 2:30 AM John, sorry for coming here so late to give my return comment... Aw, this is so interesting, so cleverly done... I loved how you artistically did this, so apt for the title, like the waxing and waning of the moon... and the metaphors used are just amazing.. "Gorgeous gibbous glow", lovely alliteration... God bless... ~ Ani John Watt September 3, 2022 at 4:30 PM Ani, your words always charm me with their thoughtfulness and encouragement... no worries about being late, I don't consider there to be any expiration date for kindness such as yours. Thank you for pointing out a phrase you enjoyed. Hope you are enjoying your writing, God bless ~ John

Charles Messina August 24, 2022 at 3:04 AM John, this is written so well. Your pen just keeps getting better and better. Keep writing...gems are easy to find on your sight! Hope all is well my friend. Charlie John Watt September 3, 2022 at 4:29 PM Thank you my friend, your comments are always welcomed warmly for this poetic journey we December brothers share. I appreciate the encouragement. Yes, all is well on the left coast, hope you are enjoying your Labor Day by not doing any labor! John

Silpika Kalita August 21, 2022 at 8:23 PM The crescent shape flow and format is just beautiful. John Watt August 22, 2022 at 10:14 PM I'm glad you liked the shape, Silpika. It didn't occur to me to do it that way until after I wrote it and posted it. Enjoy your day ~ John

Michael Tor August 19, 2022 at 8:31 PM John this is great Poetry my friend. A favorite... Love your theme on the moon. John Watt August 22, 2022 at 10:13 PM Michael, thank you for reading and faving this one. I so appreciate your encouraging words ~ John

Andrea Dietrich August 19, 2022 at 12:34 PM this is outstanding craftsmanship, John, of your poetic art. It reminds me of my hay day (or is it heyday??) when I would take challenges to use really eloquent or unusual words in a poem. I often ended up with some of my best works by doing that. I love how you patterned this after the phases of the moon, something I have done with some of my older poems. this is a FAVE John Watt August 22, 2022 at 10:10 PM Thank you ever so much for these edifying words, Andrea. I sent you a soupmail.

Michelle Faulkner August 19, 2022 at 8:50 AM This reminds me of Pink Floyds 'dark side of the moon' - so mournful of the demise of love, from such a bright beginning, many layers here~ John Watt August 22, 2022 at 10:12 PM I love that album... it's my #1 favorite cover design. Going to have to put it on for a spin now. Thank you for your kind comment, my friend ~ John

Connie Marcum Wong August 17, 2022 at 10:45 PM The many moods of Luna are highlighted in this poem that shares her darker moments. I love this John. Blessings xxoo John Watt August 19, 2022 at 7:36 PM Connie, thanks for letting me know. It's good to see you feeling better. I'm so grateful for your presence here at the soup bowl. Blessings to you ~ John

Bill Baker August 17, 2022 at 3:52 PM Beautiful poetry and shaping, John. Very impressive. Your knowledge of the heavens is always intriguing in your poetry. I love the information and the messages woven within. Thanks for sharing your gift of poetry with us my friend. Bill John Watt August 19, 2022 at 1:55 PM Thank you very much, my friend from Texas. I haven't thought much about it, but I guess I do really enjoy writing about the sky and stars. One of my favorite hymns is "The Spacious Firmament". I am always grateful for your support and encouragement ~ John

Jennifer Proxenos August 15, 2022 at 10:23 PM Your beautiful poetry never ceases to amaze me and your passion for poetry shines like a beacon with every write that you post . Haven't heard from you in a while hope all is well. Blessings and hugs my dear friend John, Jennifer John Watt August 16, 2022 at 10:53 PM Thank you, Jennifer for such affirming words of friendship and support. I can't believe I let so much time go in between visits. No excuse. I paid you a visit today; hope you are recovering from your injury. Hugs and blessings ~ John

Ilene Bauer August 14, 2022 at 1:56 PM this is a masterpiece, john! bravo! John Watt August 16, 2022 at 10:52 PM thank you for swinging by, ilene... your comments always mean so much to me ~ john

Tom Cunningham August 14, 2022 at 8:29 AM Very creative John, love how you used metaphors of the heavens to show the break up of a relationship. Hope you're keeping well. Tom John Watt August 16, 2022 at 10:51 PM Thank you for the read and kind comment, my friend. All is well here, though the heats stifles at times. Hope you are enjoying your summer ~ John