The Temptress of the Cliff

The heaven's lanterns she commands,
The harmony of ocean's harp.
Her moonlit shadow firmly stands,
And merges at the hem of scarp.

As I approach, afraid to speak,
Her illustration disappears.
Alone I brave the mountain peak,
Her cosmic voice still in my ears.

Express'd within the spectral mist,
Her tender kiss, conveyed so soft.
And on her words, I do subsist;
A multitude of miles aloft.

I then behold the sight surreal,
And ponder secretly my choice:
"Shall I take flight? (My fate I'll seal),
Or will I die a silent voice?"

My reasoning was then postponed.
Her beck'ning gaze that I adhere,
Came back to seize my love, dethroned.
Her sympathy was so austere.

I saw the sky, in half was split.
Beheld the universe immense.
Her fragrance rendered counterfeit
In face of harsh liquid incense.


I spied the Owl in the monsoon,
And glimpsed the Lark with grace outdone.
The former dancing with the moon,
The latter weeping for the sun.


And in her treason, I confide,
In holding on to but her arm.
The temptress of the cliff, my bride,
Will keep me far away from harm.

And so we danced on sky-high rocks,
The temptress of the cliff and I.
Disregarding all the clocks
That once beguiled us from the sky.

And on this cliffside masterpiece,
I felt my life was then complete.
With all my joy and inner peace,
I plunged a hundred-thousand feet.

She stood there singing to the draft,
High up that rocky balcony.
With her success, she cruelly laughed
At my stalemate epiphany.

Temptation preys on ill of wit.
So brook your life's pathetic tiff.
Above all things, do not submit
To her, the temptress of the cliff.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Peranteau Avatar
March 14, 2010 at 7:49 AM
This write was a ride indeed ! Congratulations on your win !!!! james
Haick Avatar
March 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Hey Gael, my congratulations on your win! Peace, Audrey
Tugaff Avatar
March 3, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Congratulations my friend. Ernilando
Palli Avatar
March 3, 2010 at 7:53 AM
What a work of art, well done
Freeman Avatar
March 2, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Congratulations on your Sixth place win Gael. Awesome Rhyme. Agape, Moses
Riley Avatar
March 1, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Wow, what a dark, romantic tale, good flow and rhyme, keeps the readers interest. Congrats on placing in the contest, well deserved. Keep on writting Judy Riley
Brown Avatar
March 1, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Congratulations on your win in the October 2009 PoetrySoup International Poetry Site Contest Gael. Love, Carol
Mason Avatar
February 28, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Profound and beautiful writing here, Gael. ... congratulations on your place in the October contest and keep up the great writing!!
 Avatar
February 28, 2010 at 3:42 PM
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Nice use of rhyme. Congratulations on being one of the winners in the Soup contest. Enjoy your honor. Keep on writing! Karen
Adeite Avatar
January 8, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Congrats on your wonderful poem making it through the first round, keep your powerful pen writing… excellent you! Your friend in poetry Adeleke
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
January 5, 2010 at 7:15 AM
Congratulations Gael, You have made it through the first round of judging for Poetrysoup October 13, 2009 poetry contest with your poem, The Temptress Of The Cliff. I like the ending. That is one temptress that must be resisted. You handled the suicide subject with finesse. 2009 was a successful year of poetry for you. I come, now, wishing you continued success in your writing endeavors throughout 2010 and for many years to come. God be with you. Lovingly, Dane Ann
Brown Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Congratulations on being a first round survivor and the best to you in the finals Gael. I wish you the best in your writing endeavors in 2010 whatever they may be. Love, Carol
George   Avatar
December 21, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Dear Gael, Wow! How creative! Congratulations on making it through the first round and best wishes on going through to the finals. lainie
Sheart Avatar
December 21, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Congrats on your poem winning the first round of PS contest!! Very well deserved, enjoyed reading your wonderful poetry. Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! May 2010 be your best year ever! Love Light Patty
Devonshire Avatar
December 20, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Congratulations on moving to the next round with this great poem, Gael! Wishing you joy and happiness in the New Year, love, Carolyn
Fraser Avatar
December 20, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Many congratulations on reaching the second round with your fine poem >> James
Fisher Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Many congrats on your featured poem this week. Rgds Janette
Nutter Avatar
December 9, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. A. W. Nutter
Brown Avatar
December 8, 2009 at 4:42 AM
Congratulations on your poetry being featured this week Gael. May you have many more. Love, Carol
Sheart Avatar
December 7, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Hi Gail, enjoyed your feature poem this week! Love Light Patty
Fraser Avatar
December 7, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Congratulations on your poem being featured >> James
White Avatar
December 6, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Congrats on your featured poem! ***Danielle***
Giroux Avatar
May 7, 2009 at 12:40 PM
i actually got to say that i dont understand youre poems as well as you understand mine but. From what i got from this one is quite good. Also your voice is powerful and you know it is heard
Devonshire Avatar
March 25, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Gael, you certainly will not die "a silent voice." Yours is a voice that echoes from the "rocky balcony," begging to be heard!!
Anderson Avatar
March 25, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Gael, I really enjoyed this poem,thanks for the enjoyment, kind regards Ann.
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