Short Poetry Spotlight – Duality In The Beginning

Written by Rivers of Tarmac

It falls from my tongue
It slips past my teeth
Not familiar
But safe and warm
Like your hand
So new and worn
In mine


Written by Blue-Eyed Devil 

Sad beauty, stillborn.
The call of despair sweeps out
Slicing souls to shreds.


Raising the concept of duality, these two pieces of poetry lay in stark contrast with one another. Rivers of Tarmac lies in the beginning of something new, it embodies the warmth of a new memory. But Blue-Eyed Devil’s Haiku cuts to the core, delivering a beginning which has come to such an abrupt end. We hope you enjoy both poems and take a moment to think on them. For more of our short poetry selections, you can check out Mattress and Graffiti, and our writers’ Haiku Selection.

Featured Image CC // Andre Lima

A New Star Is Born

Written by Ashcloud

Beyond the horizon’s furthest reach,
Up above the clouds,
A star is shining bright and strong,
Within the dazzling crowd.

Although this glimmering star is one of many,
Although small, it is unique.
This young star, this love of mine,
Through the clouds it always peeks.

You watch over me in any weather,
Through storms and sunny days.
You remind me that my life is precious,
Unlike you I have found a way.

I have found a way to live my life,
So that yours shall not be in vain.
I have found a way to live my life,
So that now I can cope with the pain.

Ashcloud’s poem was written on behalf of a significant friend’s loss but is absolutely beautiful in verse form. Though it’s a sad turn of events, ‘A New Star is Born’ reflects on the life that was lost on earth and then given to the night sky. We think it’s perfect for Christmas Eve through its celebration of life and love. Have a very Merry Christmas on behalf of the Inkblots editorial team. If you’d like to view more of Ashcloud’s work, check out ‘Sleepless Nights‘ and ‘The Root of Insanity‘. 

Featured Image // Susanne Nilsson

Wake Me When It’s Winter

Written by Blue-Eyed Devil

They call aloud with happy tone
“Come, leap from shade and frost!
Shake the cold from soul and bone!”
So I know the fools are lost.

The blooming flowers spread their ploy
Heralding the coming thaw
The wickedness of springtime joy
Chills me to my core

Let the north wind take me to flight
O’er laughing faces and merriment
Away from scorching, summer light
And speed the days of long lament.

Let me sleep away the warmth,
And wake me when it’s winter.
Goodbye, farewell, so long at last,
And wake me when it’s winter.

Blue-Eyed Devil’s poem was written on behalf of a previous Half Hour Challenge – it was great but never quite fitted in with our Inkblots’ themes. Now we have the perfect chance to publish it under our running theme, hope. As you may be able to tell, our poet isn’t a big fan of the summer months and loves a cold snap in the air. Well, it’s winter now, Blue. If you enjoyed his poetry, make sure you check out some of Blue’s other work including last month’s ‘Little Candle‘ and the short story ‘Thankfully Forgetful‘. 

Featured Image // Moyan Brenn

Ignite

Written by Rae-Chan

It only takes a spark to ignite a flame.
It only takes a flame to torch a city.
It only takes a spark to set the wheels of change in motion.
So light up the night like a firework,
Send sparks flying through the sky,
Become a mighty phoenix and blaze those that stand in your way,
Ignite the flames, become a burning inferno,
Shower the sparks everywhere.
It only takes one spark to ignite something beautiful.
It only takes one spark.
Be that spark.

A powerful message written simply here from Rae-Chan, but it fills us with such hope and delivers such impact in its short form. Rae-Chan’s best work is often found in succinct little gems of poetry, so we hope you love it just as much as we did. You can check out more of her poetry such as ‘Wings‘ and ‘An Ode to Low Self-Esteem’

Featured Image // Kendra Miller

Little Candle

Written by Blue-Eyed Devil

candle_table

Little Candle, keep burning bright. Image // Melissa Maples

Little candle, little candle
Burning oh so bright.
Little candle, little candle
Shining in the night.

Little candle, little candle
Kiss me with its mark.
Little candle, little candle
Shields me from the dark.

Little candle, little candle
How fast you fade away.
Little candle, little candle
Please burn just one more day.

Blue-Eyed Devil’s heart-warming short poem ‘Little Candle’ is the perfect piece to close out November’s content. Of course, it suits this month’s theme ‘Light’ to a T, but it also gives way to the season of giving. Whether you read the poem with a sombre tone or one that provides us with hope instead, it’s a lovely piece of poetry from our Haiku hero. If you enjoyed Blue-Eyed Devil’s poem, make sure you check out his superb poetry such as, ‘You’re Home‘ and the ‘Inkblots Poetry Spotlight‘ featuring a number of his smaller poems and Haiku. 

The Dawn Song

Written by Lilith

autumn_dawn

Dawn rises, dispelling the mist. Image // James Jordan

There is a place forgotten and lonely,
Guarded by dark angels only,
Where now a loving child named Dawn,
Seeks to bring about the morn,

She has reached these lands but newly
From a classroom most unruly,
Strange forces have brought her here,
To this darkened land of fear.

Bottomless vales and boundless floods,
And chasms, and caves, and half-dead woods;
With shadows that no man can spy,
Hidden from the human eye.

Mountains toppling evermore
Into seas without a shore;
Seas that restlessly aspire,
Surging, unto skies of fire.

Lakes endlessly outspread,
Their dark grey waters – lone and dead.
Such depths are still and cold,
And haunted – by the ghosts of old.

By the lakes that hide the dead,
This young girl does dare to tread,
Singing stories of the sun,
Tales of blue sky, and summer fun.

By the mountains – near the seas
The ghostly murmurs haunt the breeze,
Murmuring lowly, murmuring ever,
Their haunting voices; wintry weather.

By the mountains dances Dawn,
Singing out her song of morn,
By the grey woods she brings light,
Beginning as End of Darkest Night.

By the dismal streams and pools,
No more the voices of the Ghouls,
But an Angel’s sweet Dawn song,
Ending the Night of Ages long.

The Dawn Song ends; the sun is high
And shining brightly in the sky,
And Dawn? She wanders home at last
Forgetting at once what has passed.

Never its mysteries are exposed
To the weak human eye unclosed;
And thus this land forgotten stays,
But basks today in summer rays.

Based on a poem by Edgar Allan Poe named “Dreamland”, Lilith’s copy-change poem is a scintillating read. As a narrative poem, the personification of Dawn signals the re-birth here, while Poe’s original poem reflected on darkness and supernatural occurrences. Originally designed to get Lilith back into the poetry groove once again, we think it has a great flow and works lovely with this month’s theme, Light. If you’d like to see any of Lilith’s other work, you should check out ‘Fridge Magnet Poetry‘ and ‘A Hedgehog Named Barry‘. 

Sleepless Nights

Written by Ashcloud

insomnia_time

Time is a killer. Image // Mateus Lunardi Dutra

The shrill sound of nothingness deafens.
As silent as sleep itself,
Insomnia mutes functionality.
How is it that so many hide,
Behind a facade of concealer; lies
And steaming mugs of coffee?
What they truly long for – the black blanket
To shroud their ticking minds’ wound,
Beyond capacity, the taut spring awaits
Expectantly, for the slightest nudge
That will uncoil the mind’s formal graces,
In exchange for the unknown,
feared place within us all.

Ashcloud’s poem is something many of us on The Inkwell writing forum can relate to – suffering from insomnia is probably every writer’s nightmare, though it’s probably when we acquire our best material. Stimulated by caffeine, words can magically appear, but without it we’d suffer from the inevitable caffeine crash. It’s why Ashcloud’s poetry just hits the nail on the head; a deep fear some of us can’t seem to escape. If you enjoyed Ashcloud’s ‘Sleepless Nights’, feel free to check out her other wonderful poetry, ‘Knight‘ and ‘The Root of Insanity‘. 

The Root of Insanity

Written by Ashcloud

beach campsite

Logs burning, searching for a soul. Image // stockarch

Eyes that can shatter with a fleeting glance,
The pallor of wispy ashes, their steel-like trance.
The flame that never flickers, engulfs the fire of a soul,
Burning, burning, fading fast. Never to grow old.
A drop of raw emotion, a single splash of blue.
It’s clear you always see me but I never can see you.

Rough hands that craft, today they come
Squeeze solace from the soul.
Impatient tapping, deadbeat drum
Forever haunts the foal.
A pinch of raw emotion, one hand held in two,
It’s clear you always see me but I never can see you.

A gruesome grin or wicked word, countless deepening gashes.
Swaying, swaying, back and forth, in turmoil of endless lashes.
Rare the calm before the storm,
When tender breeze my heart doth warm.
A breath of raw emotion, a whispered promise few,
It’s clear you always see me but I never can see you.

Your eyes could burn,
Your hands could hit,
You never cared one single bit.
Mind games and violence made me insane,
Daddy, you’re the only one to blame.

Ashcloud’s poem cuts us to the core. It’s deep and it’s powerful, but most of all it feels raw. Though it’s written in verse and has a tight structure, it somehow feels loose with emotion as the poet’s voice struggles to keep control. We were swept away by reading this, so we commend Ashcloud’s written work. If you liked her poem, feel free to leave a like, comment or even check out her other work such as, ‘Knight‘ and ‘One Day at a Time‘. 

I Am The Night

clouds_storm

Does it know us, living and breathing as creatures, as humans? Image // Dave Jackson

Written by Juwan Cross

I stare into the night

It stares back

We speak without words

A sense of understanding

A welcoming feeling

A sky I’ve never seen

Presents a familiar feeling

It asks, “Who are you?”

But who am I?

A reflection

I am the night.

 

New contributor Juwan’s poem really spoke to us. It’s so sparse, yet strangely so close to home, and that’s why we loved it. Maybe you’ve had this very interaction with the night or the moon itself, the stars twinkling, and you wonder just who you are in this incredible universe. We’ve all been there, and we’re all just as scared as each other. Juwan says his inspiration for his piece was via a friend saying he was the opposite of what she expected, a little darker and mysterious. If you liked Juwan’s poem, let us know by leaving a like or a comment in the section below. 

Knight

Written by Ashcloud

knight_armour

We all need a little protection in our lives, even if it’s hidden.

Close the bond between two souls,
Has flourished underneath the sun,
In stained glass caverns, stories made,
Vanquished now the pressing tonne.
A friendship great for eternity,
Laughter the music of precious memory,
Remember to look closely and you will find,
Your true design, your soul, your mind.

 

A short but nevertheless sweet homage poem from Ashcloud. Dedicated to a close friend of hers, Ashcloud says it’s for one “who deserves so much, but asks for so little”. We particularly admired her use of imagery here to reminisce of past times and children’s fantasy stories, stealing us from our slumber to keep us wide-eyed and wondering. An elegant and simple tribute to her friend. If you liked Ashcloud’s poetry, feel free to take a look at “One Day at a Time” – a poem for school leavers.