By adewpearl
Beneath
a blackened sky
awaits a thirsty crop
unable to produce its fruit
without the succor found within each drop
of rain that falls from cloud to leaf,
then drips to drench the soil
where life takes root
beneath.
By adewpearl
Above
a sparkling stream,
a canopy of leaves
creates reflections far below
that play upon the rippling water's flow,
artistic renderings that dance
and shimmer in the glow
that streams from sun
above.
| Author Notes | a rictameter is a poem of nine lines with syllable count of 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2. The first line must be a two syllable word that repeats as the final line. Earlier today I posted my first ever rictameter, that begins and ends with the word "beneath." I decided I would like to do a companion poem in this form that begins and ends with "above." |
By adewpearl
Beyond
embattled lines,
the butchery of lives,
the bang of drums, bombastic lies,
the bedlam and barbarity of war,
exists the balm of blessed peace
that can belong to us
if we just reach
beyond.
| Author Notes | For all who died on September 11, 2001 and all who have ever died on any date, in any place, on any side of any war. |
By adewpearl
Without
the key required
to unlock privileged doors,
a child can knock till knuckles bleed,
can pound, petition, supplicate and plead,
then drop to knees upon the floor,
but still remain the one
who has to do
without.
| Author Notes |
a rictameter is a poem of nine lines that has a syllable count of 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2. The first and final lines must consist of the same two syllable word. This is the fourth of a series of rictameters that begin and end with prepositions.
Privileged is given here the two syllable pronunciation of priv/lidged, which is found in several reputable dictionaries. Yes, the U.S. is the land of opportunity where people can realize the American dream and rise from poverty to prosperity, and this is true of other developed countries also. However, the key is still required, and that key is often extremely difficult to obtain. If a child is malnourished, if he lives in a home without books, if he does not have access to pre-school programs and decent public schools, if his parents are working double shifts and don't have the time or resources to help him with homework, those keys are mighty hard to obtain. And even for the strongest, the most determined, the luckiest, there are often years of deprivation before living without fades into memory. We may not live in a society where all poor children are doomed forever, but neither are we a society that spares many little ones from years of scarring deprivation. |
By adewpearl
Upon
October oaks
creation has applied
a coat of blazing crimson reds
that burn the chill right out of autumn skies
and catch the coruscating light
to make the brightest sight
I've ever looked
upon.
By adewpearl
Before
the dead are gone,
before their blood has spilt
in poppy red upon the ground
and anguished screams become more muffled sound,
why won't we let the words be heard
imploring us, "No more!"
from those who've gone
before?
| Author Notes |
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana
The world is so much poorer today with the passing of Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary, whose beautiful and impassioned voice never failed to remind us of all we ought to strive to be. I would have written a poem about her, but I am so sure she would rather have all of us who believed as she did in peace with justice, use our words instead to speak out for what is right. |
By adewpearl
Along
a cold, swift stream,
tall birches, white boughs bent,
twist sinuous in warped ascent,
not statuesque as stately redwoods rise,
but undulating toward the skies,
as by the water's edge
I wend my way
along.
| Author Notes |
The rictameter consists of 9 lines with a syllable count of 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2. The first and last words must be the same two syllable word.
For four years while attending college I lived in Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts where white birches and cold streams abound. Robert Frost spent part of his life in Amherst, and was enchanted enough by these trees to write one of his most famous poems, "Birches." My husband was a photographer and spent much of his free time photographing the natural beauty of Western Massachusetts, particularly the birches. This poem is my nod to a most famous poet and a not-so-famous photographer who both shared my love for the beauty that abounds in this part of New England. |
By adewpearl
Inside
the belfry walls
bold bells of brass await
that moment they'll reverberate
to send into the world with boisterous sound
God's invitation we be bound
to answer their clear call
to celebrate
inside.
| Author Notes |
The rictameter is a nine line poem with a syllable pattern of 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2. The first and final lines consist of the same two syllable word. This is the ninth in my series of rictameters that begin and end with a two syllable preposition.
I am using the two syllable pronunciation of boisterous - bois/tres. |
By adewpearl
Against
the coast waves crash
to batter rugged rocks
that box their need for freedom in,
for though the seas encompass space so vast,
there is this place waves can't forge past,
thus this confining cage
they're left to rage
against.
| Author Notes |
The rictameter is a poem of 9 lines with syllable count of 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2. The first and last lines must include the same two syllable word. This is the eighth poem I've written in a series of rictameters that all begin and end with a two syllable preposition.
Even the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 60,100,000 square miles, has a beginning and end, but the desire for freedom, as waves illustrate, is infinite. |
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