Timeless Sorrow (A Poet DeVine Challenge)

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Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2000-02-08 03:44 AM

TIMELESS SORROW

‘Tis midnight on the hallowed shore
Of sands swept to the ocean floor.
Beneath a thick and foggy mist
Of darkest death Sweet Night hath kissed.
Amidst the shadow of a spire,
That once burned of brilliance and fire.
But dimmed and void of all light shone,
Now guards none from Hymen's groan.

A wail of anguish through each night
Of misappropriated plight,
Searching an endless tomorrow,
Cries the ghost of Timeless Sorrow.
A man who held his lifelong dream
In a lover's eyes once agleam.
But by temptation fell to shame,
Giving his lust before his name.

There, by the glint gone from her eye,
By a sad and silent goodbye,
He cast his life unto the sea
Upon a ship named Misery.
That once again true love might smile
In purest white walking that aisle.
Her eyes upon a brighter face,
Than his, who by love, brought disgrace.

Only in hopes would come a day
Her memory might slip away.
But stormy skies held him steadfast
Anchored, somehow, to dismayed past.
Every wind upon the ocean
Breathing fire from her emotion.
Every wave a crashing token
Of the promise he had broken.

Every spatter of fallen rain
An ikon of tears spent in vain.
Every glimpse of lightning ‘cross the sky,
Quickening the heart and the eye.
As if, like love, a blinding tease
That only leads to darker seas.
As if by passion, lured on,
By her very essence, hope drawn.

So from seasons of regretting,
From years spent, never forgetting,
Toward calmer skies, through gentle foam,
The Misery guided him home.
Per chance to look upon her eyes.
To see her love, see her surprise.
By the slim chance she might forgive,
That, somehow, again he might live.

Wherein by landfall come to sight
Beneath glimmering lighthouse light,
A marble cross facing the sea
That called to him from sheer beauty.
But closer inspection thereof
Brought words to wrench his heart of love.
"Forever longing, here lies she
Who lost her love to Misery."

Awakened to his sin of pride
Upon her grave there, too, he died.
The lighthouse above, falling dark,
As if, somehow, his grave to mark.
For the raging tides of the sea
Carried him back to Misery,
To search Forever's tomorrow
For her soul in Timeless Sorrow.

Michael Anderson

< !signature-->

It's the little things you take for granted,
That'll mean the most to you when they're gone.

[This message has been edited by Michael (edited 02-08-2000).]

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

1 posted 2000-02-08 08:41 AM

Goosebumps! This gave me goosebumps...A dark, sad tale, Michael. This is absolutely wonderful. I could smell the sea...see that cross in the darkness... sigh! Challenge well and truly met. Thanks!

Mike
Member Elite

since 1999-06-19

Posts 2462

2 posted 2000-02-08 08:57 AM

Hard to find the words to adequately reply, as the level of your poetry is so exceptional.
A privelege to experience.

tori
Senior Member

since 1999-06-18

Posts 520
Mechanicsville, Maryland, USA

3 posted 2000-02-08 09:02 AM

Michael from start to finish it sang ....... a sweet song of sadness as I could feel the ocean roar

If with pen in hand I've made you think
I've not wasted one drop of ink
Vlh.
visit my site~ http://www.hsanet.net/user/dkm/hellomy.htm

SEA

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 2000-01-18

Posts 22676
with you

4 posted 2000-02-08 09:52 AM

Michael, this blew me away. The story you tell is so powerful and your words flowed perfectly. This is wonderful!

-SEA

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-22

Posts 9245
Illinois

5 posted 2000-02-08 10:05 AM

I would have to say this challenge was met and then some! Hauntingly sad Michael! Written so very well!

<*\\\><

When you can't make up your mind
Which way is right for you,
Stop and softly ask yourself,
What Would Jesus Do?

Mistikman
Senior Member

since 2000-01-10

Posts 682
San Jose, CA, USA

6 posted 2000-02-08 10:51 AM

Wow, what a chilling poem. Incredible! Challenge well met!

I am not a poet, I am merely one who speaks in emotion

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

7 posted 2000-02-08 11:54 AM

An incredible piece of writing Michael...I see love has only helped your already wonderful talent for writing

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

8 posted 2000-02-08 02:35 PM

PdV, glad to see I gave you the little goosies. Indeed, this was probably the most in depth challenge I ever had. It was truly a pleasure to write this one. Thanks for knowing me so well.

Thank you everyone else for the kind comments.

Michael

HelmutB
Senior Member

since 2000-01-06

Posts 964
Canada

9 posted 2000-02-08 04:26 PM

WOW Michael, would that be good enough as reply to such a powerful dramatic piece.
Somehow I don't think so, but it's the best I can come up with. Brilliantly done.

The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.

Skyfyre
Senior Member

since 1999-08-15

Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap

10 posted 2000-02-08 07:18 PM

Ah Michael, what a graceful return you have made! Nothing like a sad ballad to give one thankful pause -- excellent work.

--Kess

Full fathom five thy father lies,
Of his bones are coral made,
Those are pearls that were his eyes;
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange...

--William Shakespeare, from The Tempest

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-11-08

Posts 9269
Pennsylvania

11 posted 2000-02-08 07:54 PM

It doesn't even seem like a challenge to you to come up with an exquisite poem like this, it flowed so smoothly to the end, while carrying a burden of sorrow throughout. A sad poem but very easy to read
Well done, as always
Liz

sandgrain
Member Elite

since 1999-09-21

Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA

12 posted 2000-02-08 08:28 PM

Amen to all the previous comments, and a #10 rating in every respect.

devina
Member Elite

since 1999-10-28

Posts 3539
Cali

13 posted 2000-02-08 08:56 PM

It twas beautiful before I realized it was a challenge, even more so now...you've fully exceeded the limits on this one Micheal, so vivid and emotional...need I say I liked it???

Open arms can be the most fragile in the world...

Majestic
Member

since 2000-01-11

Posts 264
houston, tx.

14 posted 2000-02-08 09:05 PM

excellent...bravo.....I bow to the master...

"To live is to love; To truly LOVE is to live!" ~kg~

Echo Rhayne
Senior Member

since 1999-09-17

Posts 1495
Canyon Country, CA

15 posted 2000-02-09 04:16 AM

Michael, I never know what to expect when opening one of your poems (other than it is going to be great), you often leave me speechless, and this is one of those times!

Did Jesus laugh?
I think He did,
'cause He was once
a little kid;
and all of us
were made with joy
both sugar-spice girl
and snake-snail boy!

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

16 posted 2000-02-09 09:45 PM

A humble bow to you, my friend...

Gemini
Senior Member

since 1999-12-15

Posts 1203
Wisconsin, USA

17 posted 2000-02-09 10:32 PM

Michael, hauntingly beautiful, you've written it well, kudos!

Tasi
Junior Member

since 2000-02-08

Posts 38
Canada

18 posted 2000-02-09 10:43 PM

So tragic I feel my heart bruise with every passing line . Excellent , thankyou!!

kitkat
Senior Member

since 2000-01-11

Posts 878
Nova Scotia

19 posted 2000-02-09 11:02 PM

You leave me breathless. What a mastery of words you have written. Bravo!!

--------------
You got to get up every morning with a smile on your face
and show the world all the love in your heart
Then people are gonna treat you better
You're gonna find, yes you will
That your beautiful as you feel.~~~ Carol King

WolfsMate
Member

since 2000-01-14

Posts 121
New York

20 posted 2000-02-10 01:48 AM

Dark and hauntingly beautiful verse. Loved this.

"You never have to worry...Never fear for I am near"

wayoutwalt
Member Elite

since 1999-06-22

Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)

21 posted 2000-02-10 02:21 AM

mesmerizing michael mesmerizing

Christopher

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-02

Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration

22 posted 2000-02-10 03:01 AM

Amazing how you're always there to match my moods, Michaael. Once again, you've nailed it on the head! (Are you physic or something???)

Michael

Moderator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-08-13

Posts 7666
California

23 posted 2000-02-10 06:45 AM

Chris, Not physic, more like physcotic I think...LOL

Thank you all once again for the kind replies.

Michael

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

24 posted 2000-02-10 06:56 AM

Michael this is a lovely romantic love story but a very sad ending. You write so good. James

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