Notes About The Poem

Written for the time contest sponsored by Sara Jama

Premiere Contest WinnerTears of Time

T i m e stops for no one,
as searing seconds swerve
through seasonal squalls,
thawing frost that sleeps upon
the necks of onyx roses,
where pain is etched in skeletal sins~
across pruned plumes,
fleeting through amethyst air, 
merged in changing frequencies
of wind and waves,
carrying ballads of a bruised bluebird.

But I have long known grief,
and I’ve tasted the bittersweet
cocktails of life and love.
I am s i l e n c e,
swirling amidst the wheels
of dusk and dawn,
like the unseen flares
of blazing boulevards,
for I am made from ashes of steel,
strong to the eyes
that see not beyond bleeding sighs.
I waltz faster than
my fears can grasp,
the obsidian t e a r s of petals,
leaving each abstract sunset
sketched in acrylics
on murky meadows,
thriving with grieving geraniums.

O beloved moon,
I see lakes of Elysium
through the chained windows
of my tortured tower.
I breathe against the
crystalline concoctions
composed from the ink
of curved constellations,
erasing kismet calligraphies,
cluttered with chaotic conclusions,
sailing toward an astrological sphere,
where colors of love
run free against
the gravity of diabolical dust,
designed on rings of rust.

So let me save the twilight sage,
before the last drop of wintry rage
is no longer tamed by the
treacherous tongue of fate,
for I am armored against
the demonic drumrolls,
luring the splitting sea-surge
to a bioluminescent shore
where Lucifer’s footsteps linger,
caressing the edges of snakeskin,
mimicking merciless mantras
of Medusa melodies,
orchestrated in seething strings,
oblivious to the t r u t h
that I am more than
a wounded warrior,
dressed in whimsical wisterias.
I’ve learned to let go
of every faltering feather,
that blinded me,
pushing my patience
into a labyrinth of tilted tulips,
tainted with twisted tones
and hues of hypocrisy. 

Remember,
I am more than the splitting paranoia,
running through corridors of uncertainty,
I am flashlights in the monsoon sky~
emanating petrichor pastels
upon nocturnal nightingales,
singing without words,
dreaming amidst trickling chords.

     ~ and this is the truth of trembling t i m e 
            that halts not for the sleeping supernovas ~ 
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Bordner Avatar
February 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
A very sensuous sorrow born of wisdom waking youthful. Yours is a luscious language Poetess. I love how you work the colors, flowers and textures. Another FAV!...J.A.B.
Omar Avatar
February 15, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Wow! Nailed it
Hind Avatar
February 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
So heartfelt and beautiful - <3 Light and love on your journey to epiphany
George Avatar
February 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
"I have long known grief, and I’ve tasted the bittersweet cocktails of life and love." What a poignant observation of the duplicity of life! You write as if you have confronted life in its contrasting diversities of joy, sorrow, love, resilience, frustration and a desire to break all manacles that chain your soul. This poem is an amalgam of mixed emotions..."I am flashlights in the monsoon sky~ emanating petrichor pastels upon nocturnal nightingales, singing without words," Despite life being challenging, one can still soar. Many of us carry a volcano within, but unlike you, don't have enough words to express how explosive it is. As ever, amazing write. Congratulations dear Empress on your trophy win.
Seeker Avatar
February 2, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“ballads of a bruised bluebird” ~ !!! And then “oblivious to the t r u t h that I am more than a wounded warrior, dressed in whimsical wisterias” !!! Warmest congratulations on your trophy win, IE. A fabulous write, as always!
George Avatar
February 1, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Time leaves you with wants and pictures of the past. The ones we couldn't love enough, the love that didn't hold our hands. Our regrets, temptations, goals, and advantages despite our traumas and grief. "Remember, I am more than the splitting paranoia, running through corridors of uncertainty." I always remember the things you tell us to remember. "I’ve learned to let go of every faltering feather, that blinded me, pushing my patience into a labyrinth of tilted tulips." Time teaches a lot.
Beaufort Avatar
February 1, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Hi IE, this poem creates a vision of struggle. We do the best we can in this short life….you seem to be making the best of it despite all the difficulties and entanglements described by your poem. Smiles of course…since what other choice do we have. Time will not stop progressing for any of us. I hope you have a great day now and going forward. Have I told you what a pleasure it is to read your work? It helps me preserve and restore a good feeling inside. I see this won first prize in the contest and that is also a good thing since you deserve recognition. It doesn't always flow in the right direction, but we know we have a nice community here. TY!!
Jama Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Congratulations on placing first in my contest. This poem is exquisitely written. There are so many beautiful lines. "I’ve tasted the bittersweet cocktails of life and love," perfectly expresses the complexities of just living. "I see lakes of Elysium through the chained windows of my tortured tower," expresses what it feels like to be trapped. Like living behind a glass wall, always being able to see life pass by but never being able to actually live. Thank you for writing.
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Awwn best comment ever! Chocolate worthy! Thank you so much for my placement and for the inspiring prompt! Your prompts are always so inspiring: and im so glad you liked it as i know you are so pick grumpy! Thank you again
Mcintosh Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Beautifully done. Congratulations and God bless you, love, Gina
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Thank you so very much sweet Gina
Andresen Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 2:43 AM
- Congratulations on your win in the contest, Ink :) - hugs
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Thank you so much was so nice waking up to receiving this
Liguori Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I love your poem. Always so much to be delighted about. There will always be TIME to read and enjoy your poetry.
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Thank you so much thats so kind of you to say. Always grateful for your kind support
DiMino Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 5:24 AM
"carrying ballads of a bruised bluebird.' -- Great imagery. "I waltz faster than my fears can grasp," Sometimes only way to survive. Good shoes and a careful partner if not a sincere one. ~ "and this is the truth of trembling t i m e that halts not for the sleeping supernovas ~ " And this is the deep dwelling miracle, to come forth from each of us -- a universe of love.
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment dear joe, truly is heartwarming to read. Always appreciate your kindness
Rodgers Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Dear Empress, Today, as I read this gem, I suddently got caught in your swirl with such raw power, igniting emotions that were intense and transcendent. It feels like a movement through time itself, rich with raw beauty and fierce resilience. Time is so unstoppable! Empress, this artistic piece captures the soul’s deepest truths with a such a haunting grace. A FAV!! Winter Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Thank you so very much for the fave and also kind and thoughtful comment dear daniel! So grateful always for your support
Rolland Avatar
January 30, 2025 at 2:15 AM
between sufferings ad beauty, the poet advance and his genius prevails, enjoyed the grace of images and sounds, thanks poet
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Thank you so very much for your kindness
Tor Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
A transition through time and the human spirit dealing with pain, coping and overcoming. Great messages you have shared using unique words and phrases that is so genuine and creative. A wonderful winner for the contest Ink...
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Thank you so much dear michael, appreciate your kind support truly
Buehler Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Your stunning poem is beautifully written, with your usual captivating imagery, Ink. I enjoyed every line. Good luck in the contest. :)
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Thank you so very much always for your kind support
Dietrich Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Snazzy writing on fleeting time. I liked how each verse had an important word s t r e t c h ed out! The ending is a very fitting climax, Ink. This could be a trophy win.
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Thank you so very much sweet andrea, its easy to write for sara as she and i have done so many collabs last five years so its easy to know what she might like for me: but its nice to receive this trophy win from her: as she is very honest too: always grateful for your kind support
Poet Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Your beautiful poem, "Dearest Ink," is about how time moves on its own and how people deal with grief, resilience, and finding themselves. It's about your own pain and loss while also recognizing the beauty and complexity of life. The poem contrasts the passing of time with the emotional landscapes shaped by love and sorrow, ultimately expressing a desire for freedom and understanding beyond mere existence. Phrases like "onyx roses," "amethyst air," and "bioluminescent shore" paint powerful pictures.
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Thank you so very much for your detailed comment: appreciate always your support
Goldsmith Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 11:21 AM
What a wonderful write. Yes, "Time stops for no one." Grief comes in many sizes. Tears are like falling rain. We live through the storms in life to see the flowers once again. "Good Luck" in the contest... Have a blessed day writing away.............
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Thank you so much dear kind paula, i wish you a beautiful weekend too: sending you light always
Andresen Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 2:43 AM
- To seize the point of trembling time, Ink ... excellent written :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Thank you so much dear anne lise always
Cunningham Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Time, they say is a great healer IE, painful memories ease but you never forget. Hope your week is going well, just getting over a bad dose of flu. Feeling a lot better now. Tom
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Im sorry to hear about the flu. Please drink some ginger and lime tea it really helps with flu , helps me. Hope you'll feel better really soon.
Cunningham Avatar
January 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Never known it so bad, everyone seems to be getting some bug or other.
Rhymes Avatar
January 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I’m inspired by time
Empress Avatar
January 31, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Awwn i know
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