Premiere Contest WinnerThe Match

your moment of concentration 
    has me mesmerised
  I'm no longer a poet ~
       just a fool with unuttered longing

  this day already drew its close 
           but I can steady my weary gaze
     settle it upon you

 all but your beauty ebbs away ~
    I look on with tired eyes

     "lit by a match"
        
             I'm half dreaming ~
      my favoured state
                  and you
               within arm's reach
     as I drift aloft 
 caught between the shadows and smoke
    that swirl together 
          one last time

        
Inspired by The Sulphur Match by John Singer Sargent
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Richards Avatar
May 20, 2026 at 4:35 AM
A belated Congratulations, LG. As always, you touch us with your words.
G  Avatar
May 20, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Thank you Su, I appreciate your visit :)
Empress Avatar
May 13, 2026 at 3:14 AM
erhm!! I dont mind losing the trophy to you your highness, the queen of ekphrasis! Thats what you deserve and are worthy of! Perhaps a triple fave too! Haha CONGRATULATIONS (if only i can use emojis) yeay brian! We love brian! celebrating you always bff
G  Avatar
May 13, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Haha you're hilarious - I'm imagining being chained together now lol!
Empress Avatar
May 13, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I checked out the painting! Haha gosh! I dunno how you do what you do honestly! You are an artistic genius with a poetic soul! Impressive one! I didnt know this artist too! You did amazing and brian is an artist! He is brilliant with art and loves art. I thank Brian for giving us the opportunity to enter our poems… altho I don’t always win its comforting: once again, this calls for not just matching bracelets, maybe anklets too! :D CONGRATS!!
G  Avatar
May 13, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Woohoo! My notifications for premier contests seem to hide in my inbox, so thank you for the good news! I'd never done a Sargent painting before but I'd seen a few illustrations of a smoking man recently on posters then saw the painting and loved the idea of romanticising it a little :) we do love Brian, it's true - he's a gem :) aww cosmic bffs <3 we definitely need matching bracelets then :D
Empress Avatar
May 12, 2026 at 6:54 AM
that is inimitable! Even if one ever tries! I should one day try imitating u! Lol Pleasure reading! Sending you light always
G  Avatar
May 13, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Ha you should see if the salon will stock our designs! Oh no with the imitating - I've only seen people do it to mock me, so it's a tainted thing now :( collaborations are good though :) thank you for the abundance of praise - I'm not worthy but it's still wonderful to receive :)
Empress Avatar
May 12, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Im At pedicure/manicure and be reading you in awe like ~ what? Thats me " I'm no longer a poet ~ just a fool with unuttered longing" love it! Can we put this quote to a side, reserve it for tshrt business? Its just beyond clever!!! One that would hit many! " caught between the shadows and smoke that swirl together one last time" whoa! Soul hitting ending! This entire piece screams brilliance! Triple fave! And more! Love it! You have a modern edginess to your tone
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