Notes About The Poem

This brief sequence reflects on life's transient and cyclical nature,

using a traditional sonnet form structure (AB AB CD CD EF EF GG)

with an iambic pentameter rhythm.

 

The Mortal Coil

~The breath drawn deep is but a borrowed stay,
~~A fleeting spark within the endless night,
~~~~Where light and shadow's. in a silent play,
 ~Will fade and flicker, in the morning light.
~~~~~~~The bud unfurls, a vibrant splash of green,
 ~Bloom in sunlight, then wilt in autumn's chill;
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ragile beauty on a fleeting scene, 
 ~~~~~~~~Caroming seasons on a lonely hill.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~So man appears, a whisper in the wind,
~~~ A passing thought in time's unconcerned hand,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A story written, ultimately sinned,
~ ~~~~~~~~~Before the final grains of silver sand.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~We rise and fall, as ocean's restless tide,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Where the universe enigmas reside.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Etgen-Baker Avatar
November 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
love the beginning...'the borrowed stay' - so well said
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
November 5, 2025 at 7:34 AM
We are a measuring rod, keep what we need to sustain ourselves, and let go, then take in again; Only if our ups and downs can be so easily done sans furtherance. Aloha, William.
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