The Myth of Shooting Stars

You say no one gets the beauty of fear
It's what reminds us how human we are
The subtle moment when all is so clear
That from birth to death, the journeys not far
The joy comes between the fire and the char
The instinct that pushes us all to fight
And not to wish for refuge from the scars
Because shooting stars are death in the night

You say no one wants their nightmares so near
Despite the God-given rush from the stars
That space between the madness and the tears
That echoing scream that thrills as it jars
Happiness is a cell; pain is the bars
Defeating fear is what puts us in flight
Hoping is a catch, and wishes will mar
Because shooting stars are death in the night

You say dread shapes us; it's how we cohere
It unites us all, from peasant to Czar
We all know terror: vague, blinding or sheer
We all fear what we think to be bizarre
We have all been frozen, stuck in the tar
Caught in place by the glory of our fright
Wishes fade like dieing strains from afar
Because shooting stars are death in the night

Dark time prince, with your ideals and guitar
Sing your baleful views, which are out of sight
Sing of your wishes that are not on par
Because shooting stars are death in the night
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Onclaud Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:29 PM
reeling with beautiful imagery, kristen... congrats on your deserving win! ..:) huggs, nette
Muzzey Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 4:31 PM
A wonderful write. Congratulations on your sixth place win with this lovely Ballade. Caryl
Dietrich Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 2:22 PM
what an interesting theme for this form of poetry! A dark time prince was a cool idea and discussion of how dread shapes us. Quite unique and thought provoking. Eloquent! Congrats.
Mehta Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 1:30 PM
I loved the way you have used the refrain in this poem, Congratulations on the sixth place win, kristen
Brown Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 9:20 AM
Congratulations on your win in Catie's contest with this fantastic poem Kristen. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:49 AM
Perhaps fear does "shape us," Kristen. I had never thought of it this way before. You wrote a lovely ballade. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
George   Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:32 AM
Magnificant Ballade, dear Kristen. Many congrat's on your BIG WIN. Lainie
Johnson Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 8:02 AM
Beautiful writing. Congratulations on a job well done and a big win. Love, Joyce
Sweetheart Avatar
March 10, 2011 at 7:15 AM
Congrats Kristen on your big win in Catie's contest with this awesome Ballade ..enjoy luv..
Mantle Avatar
March 8, 2011 at 5:09 AM
Love the Ballade. Some great lines. Best wishes Em :)
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