navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #34 » Peaceful Harbor
Open Poetry #34
Post A Reply Post New Topic Peaceful Harbor Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
WranglrButts9
Member
since 2004-10-24
Posts 108
Iowa, US

0 posted 2005-01-06 02:06 PM


This is my first post in Open, I've always shared w. the teens. But this writing didn't get any responses, so I thought I'd see what you guys thought. It could use some improvement, but I'm not sure what. So if you could help, it'd be appreciated!
Thanks,
-Bailey
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sailing into a harbor
On a dark and chilly night
Everything is calm
Not a noise can be heard
Except the peaceful sound
Of the wish-wash of the sea

There are no clouds
To hide the full moon
Thats looking down on me
Giving me the light I need
And a sense of safety,
Feeling like if I were to be harmed
Mr. Moon would swoop down
Between me and the object of harm

The wind is blowing lightly
Touching my pale cheeks
Filling me with warmness
And a tingle upon my skin

That wish-wash of the sea
Is echoing in my ears
Soothing them with softness
And never ending love

All these things I realize
Are you in disguise
You are so calm and peaceful
With everything you do
I know you will protect me
If the man above sends harm

The softness of your fingers
Brushing lightly on my cheeks
Does nothing but send tingles
Up & down my spine

The words you say to me,
Are stuck in memory forever
Your voice sooths my ears
Like never felt before
Everytime you say "I love you":

My dreams of peaceful harbors
Continue ever-more!


Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

© Copyright 2005 WranglrButts9 - All Rights Reserved
DavePage
Member Elite
since 2003-12-21
Posts 2917

1 posted 2005-01-06 04:51 PM


Your writing is inventive, well written, excellent.

The lack of comment is because people comment on friends and quality such as this, gets blasted.

Your writing is excellent but you obviously have other writing options in style you could use.

Dave

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2005-01-06 04:59 PM


Very nicely penned...
and welcome to Open!
I do hope you will post in here more often.
Hugs~Nancy

In the midst of winter,
I found there lives within me..
An invincible summer.

*Alli4000*
Deputy Moderator 10 Tours
Member Elite
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188
The World of Poetry
3 posted 2005-01-06 07:36 PM


Hey Bailey! Omg...I'm getting everyone to start posting in open now huh? lol.
I replied to this in teen so you already know what I think. Nice job! ^_^

~Alli~

Happy 2005!

WranglrButts9
Member
since 2004-10-24
Posts 108
Iowa, US
4 posted 2005-01-06 07:37 PM


Thank you both! This is the amount of replies it got in Teen.... so I'm very happy. lol.

This actually was out of the norm. for me... if you would like, search my name & read the rest of my writing. To me, this writing sounded like one of an adult, which I am far from.... but I like it!

Thanks,
Bailey

Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

RSWells
Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533

5 posted 2005-01-07 12:32 PM


I'd like to say that I wish I'd started writing at your age instead of age 47. I'm certain my road would have been smoother. No one bites here (except me when I get political) and if you don't mind I'd like to make a comment or two.

I think you might want to whittle down the length of the poem. That doesn't mean anything would be lost from its intent but simply more concise. Poetry is not prose because it is supposed to be shorter and I'll even venture a bit further and say it sometimes is advantageous to make a reader reach a bit and so involve them more. If everything is laid out it makes it too easy to blow through the poem and the comments you'll get will (in time) prove to you that the reader was no more involved than a passing hello to an fair acquaintance. The time you took to compose your post deserves more than pat replies that soon enough lose effect when you see the same replies repeated verbatim on several other's posts. There's nothing wrong with these polite gestures but your very presence in this forum suggests you ask for more (and good for you).

Just an example with this stanza;

"There are no clouds
To hide the full moon
Thats looking down on me
Giving me the light I need
And a sense of safety,
Feeling like if I were to be harmed
Mr. Moon would swoop down
Between me and the object of harm"

maybe something more trim;

No clouds hide a full moon
which guides me with its light
as though offering protection,
safety from harm, it's face
so near that fear I feel would
know its intervention.

Only a savings of two lines but over the length of a poem it adds up. I find it interesting you refer to the moon as "Mr." when it's ordinarily thought of (and was in myth and ancient poetry) as feminine. But that's cool because you're doing something different. Something else I try not to do is repeat and end word, even if it isn't a rhyme (harm, harmed).

You involve the senses nicely in these two soft stanzas;

"The wind is blowing lightly
Touching my pale cheeks
Filling me with warmness
And a tingle upon my skin

That wish-wash of the sea
Is echoing in my ears
Soothing them with softness
And never ending love"

In this stanza you may want to rethink "man";

"All these things I realize
Are you in disguise
You are so calm and peaceful
With everything you do
I know you will protect me
If the man above sends harm"

Keep writing and more importantly read as many published poets as you can handle. Keep pencil and paper handy always or even a small, pocket size tape recorder because you never know when a really cool phrase, thought or even word will pop up and you need to capture it before the current of life's distractions sweep it away.

I open at least two windows besides Microsoft Word on those rare occasions when I compose while seated in front of the computer. Dictionary.com (not for spelling errors because Microsoft Word will catch them but for its thesaurus feature. That's one way to avoid repitition of a word and maybe to find a better fitting word http://dictionary.reference.com/)
and either rhymezone.com (if it is a rhyme) or google for more info. http://www.rhymezone.com/

Ordinarily I write in bed or on the recliner with a huge dictionary next to me with various other poetry guides such as those Norton puts out.

Your poem is good and your reaching out commendable. I hope you take this for the friendly gesture I intended.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
6 posted 2005-01-07 05:24 AM


this poem sounds very grown-up

keep writing and learning about poetry, reading others...that is a big inspiration

good to read you Bailey

WranglrButts9
Member
since 2004-10-24
Posts 108
Iowa, US
7 posted 2005-01-07 05:51 PM


RSWells: Thanks for the advice, I will remember it (I printed everything out, lol) & try to use it with my next writing. I understand what you are saying about the length of that stanza, that wasn't my fav. I really like your version of it. Though you are a more accomplished writer than me, so it would be expected. I also understand what you mean by not using the same words, I tried to think of something else, but I wrote it fast, and then could not think of anything else afterwards. But could you explain more (feel free to e-mail me) about re-thinking man, I don't understand that?

passingshadows: thanks for your comments, I appreciate them. Everyone is a lot friendlier in open.... I like it here!

Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

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 » Archives » Open Poetry #34 » Peaceful Harbor

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