Keeper of the Flame
Flame born in Genesis’ labors
Springs from the eternal parent’s word,
Image of the ever present truth,
Soars above impotent earth
Lost in the swirling numb abyss
Fragile fire kindled by a vision’s flint
Bright vow intoned grows a fiery flower
Set upon a high rising hill in trust
Until the Keeper, born from dust,
Stands watch
Raptured sentinel face set against
Howling hurricanes,
That rise like screaming phantoms,
And the siroccos plan to shatter fire
Into embers with its jagged breath;
Cloaked by the chrysalis protection
The Keeper thwarts designs
To kidnap from the mountain fortress
Celestial inspiration’s blaze of grace -
And the wild Kerry dances intent to steal
Then slay bright fire
In the foul air of wicked conflagration -
With shields forged in eternity’s tinder grace,
Keeper, Guardian,
Fends off fiends of stalking chants;
A smokeless incense of inspiration rises
Forever young
A blessing kindled for the Keeper’s heart
Ambassador anointed - guardian of the eternal flame.
3-24-22
Contest: This or That
Title chosen Keeper of the Flame
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Fractured Storm
Ghostly gloom born in brooding stillness
Cut to smithereens with shards of energy
Whirlwinds in feral fragments shrillness
Warn of wild catastrophe.
Blinding firebolts erupt to split serenity
Nightfall dodges crackling outbursts released
Platinum tempests burst electricity
Splintered lights race on volatility increased.
Sonic thunder bumpers, let go pent up booms
Rip wide the transitory abyss
Slams closed jagged air as thunder looms
Solitude in ragged sound dismissed
Smashed bits of broken midnight crumble
Air’s torn edges reverberate in harrowing echoes
Drumfire’s waves of serrated sound rumble
Flashing thunderheads shriek in falsettos.
Night watch sees siroccos spiral spin
As raindrops on the dry earth sizzle
Downpours splash in roaring torrents din
Gales at rest – storm remnants sing thin whistles.
12-29-21
Contest: Weather
Sponsor: Angela Tune
N/A - 1-5-22
Contest: Your Second Chance 1st
Sponsor: Sotto Poet
Firebolts can be found in the Merriam- Webster Dictionary
I bought a fine-bred stallion for a thousand dinars
And navigate the wadi by the light of the stars,
Oasis to oasis as the desert bird flies,
Enchanted by the beauty of your Bedouin eyes.
Though bandits and siroccos seek to test my resolve,
I’ll brave them all regardless of the risks they involve.
I’ve sworn an oath to face whatever dangers arise
And overcome them all to see your Bedouin eyes.
Last night I scaled the ramparts of the sultan’s abode
Where you were wearing nothing but a long flowing robe.
The folds of my kaffiya kept my face in disguise,
But she could see right through me with your Bedouin eyes.
Breath of Spring
Soft zephyrs drift on wings of thawing mists,
Gossamer breath touches shivering hearts,
Shadows of vernal memoirs linger - a kiss -
Restless cold mistrals in a huff depart.
Between cold winter’s last icy exhale
And summer’s heavy breathing siroccos
A gentle breath hugs the heartbeat so frail
Awakening the sleeping beauty Hope
Floral murmurs blend in unison breeze,
Unrestrained canticles of glory runes,
Beneath sighing ides of equinox seize
Joy - an empty tomb after the first moon.
Through fluttering breaths of resurrection,
Frozen lungs breathe new perfume - perfection.
3-2-21
Contest: Breath of Spring
Sponsor: Regina McIntosh
Her milky, placid orb peers o’er tan hills
As fades the mustard flame of father’s hate
Cool succor soothes sharp burns where rage did spill
His blinding cruelty will at last abate
Our blistered skin, bleached bones white, hills afire
This eve, his fevered madness starts to break
Grim Solstice marks the peak of father’s ire
Soft sunset’s silken shroud engulfs our aches
Sun’s dark flight, burning guilt now gone from sight
His dusty, wild siroccos brought to calm
This night's repose, world bathed in velvet light
Pale, tranquil seas of Moon’s face like a balm
Pearlescent clouds drift mute across her sphere
Fair promise of monsoons, their healing tears
6/22/16
Shakespearean, Mostly Iambic Pentameter