navwin » Main Forums » Open Poetry #50 » Isle of the dead
Open Poetry #50
Post A Reply Post New Topic Isle of the dead Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Cerulean
Member
Posts 109


0 posted 2017-08-01 07:36 PM


"Isle of the dead"

A gray isle approaches
Shroud in ancient mist,
Trees tall and barren
Creep upon and flicker,
Dissolving courage...
You came for something,
But your memory falters...
Step by step proceeding,
Further into the shadows
Where darkness dwelt,
As a tropical storm
looms, threatening the isle...
In your hand clasped
Is a picture, of someone
Lost, unknown to you...
Things suddenly emerge,
Buildings once renown
In bustling days gone,
Echoes of a golden age
Of a mighty port city,
Where jewels sparkled
As summer's sun brightly
Gleamed upon the sea...
Those thoughts fleet
In your head constantly,
Flashbacks forgotten...
Like dreams slowly to be
That once were, but hidden
Cannot release somehow...
Webs cling upon the doors
As buildings get closer,
Spun in dizzy, quick fashion;
Slowly, the memories return...
In your eyes, water wells up
Yet you know not why...
Obstructing your memories
Is a stellar flash of light;
But the buildings give hope,
To unlock memories locked.

© Copyright 2017 Cerulean - All Rights Reserved
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
1 posted 2017-08-01 07:42 PM


Ah, a poem straight from a heart looking at the unfamiliar, but yet he knows he should remember. Still . . . Sometimes it is better to not seek out those hidden memories. Very well penned poem.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

2 posted 2017-08-01 07:53 PM


That's an eloquent description of what this poem could be about. Thanks for your kind words, Jerry.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
3 posted 2017-08-01 08:14 PM


"what this poem could be about"

Heh.Heh But that isn't what it is about, is it Cerulean, and I'm not to sure it was an "eloquent description."

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

4 posted 2017-08-01 08:27 PM


***SPOILERS BELOW***

Jerry- Your first reply (all of it) is correct in most cases. But in the case of this poem the first sentence in your reply is correct and the second may not be.

You see, this poem is based on a mixture of my own imagination and Skara Brae from the Ultima video game series. In that example, it would've been better to seek out those hidden memories since the isle of Skara Brae became an isle of the dead due to necromancy. See here: http://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Skara_Brae

And the funny thing is... Skara Brae is also a real historic port village. Look it up sometimes  

However, this poem can be read playfully in a number of different contexts without knowing where it's originating from.

[This message has been edited by Cerulean (08-02-2017 07:52 PM).]

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
5 posted 2017-08-01 08:50 PM


Oh boy. I got into Skara Brae as much as I could Cerulean, which isn’t much, because honestly my brain has been through so much sixties acid that I quite often actually have those flashbacks they told us about. In other words, my friend, I’m a lightweight in the brain department and am unable to get into anything except what I conjure up myself. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, but I failed to "get into it." Sorry buddy.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

6 posted 2017-08-01 08:57 PM


That's perfectly OK. That's why it's better to sometimes not know where a poem is coming from, so you can think in the context that works best for you. Apologies if I have ruined the enjoyment by disclosing too much.
JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
7 posted 2017-08-01 08:58 PM


You haven't ruined anything, buddy, not one thing.

~ If they give you ruled paper, write sideways. ~

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

8 posted 2017-08-02 10:25 AM


this read was powerful, and reminded me of someone struggling with MS, or some form of memory loss...don't know if that was your intent...

Well done!

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

9 posted 2017-08-02 10:26 AM


this read was powerful, and reminded me of someone struggling with MS, which for me, harbors a lot of memory loss, or some form of memory loss within others...don't know if that was your intent...

Well done!

Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

10 posted 2017-08-02 01:18 PM


LeeJ, that was definitely my intent when I added in the memory loss part (not a part of the game I played long ago, btw).

The buildings at the end of the poem can also represent the things that hold our memories. The flash of light blinds you to what you're looking for, and it may take time for the light to reduce in intensity so the memory resurfaces. Such as if you ever have difficulty recalling a word right away but it comes ten seconds later.

There are yet other contexts in which these aspects (buildings, flash of light, etc) can be read differently (such as literally instead of figuratively) -- depending on how one likes to interpret them.

Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

11 posted 2017-08-03 12:29 PM


And the "Well done!" is appreciated.
Poet In Pink
Senior Member
Posts 1066
MI
12 posted 2017-08-07 12:26 PM


I love the feelings of mystery and adventure throughout ~ With a little splash of Deja vu to spice up the imagination   Enjoyed muchers Cerulean   Alana
Cerulean
Member
Posts 109

13 posted 2017-08-07 10:50 PM


Perfectly said. That was one of my goals in writing this poem. Thanks Alana!
2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
14 posted 2017-08-09 08:37 PM


a great moment of emotion, the verses are just perfect to free some hidden memories and perhaps some fears, don't really know but feelings are high, very "truly"  penned


yann


Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Main Forums » Open Poetry #50 » Isle of the dead

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary