Sunday, July 14, 2013

Finding The Melody






















Speak to us of early spring,
of onyx skies and starry nights,
of fireflies that spark the fields
and castles built of sand, pure white;
of paladins and maidens fair,
of pirate chests with hidden treasures.
Take us back to bright green days
those dew-cast morns where eagles soar
wings spread wide to glide the zephyrs…
Hope is the thing with feathers.

Speak to us of summer days
of new horizons to be found;
not quite knowing what we’re seeking
lost among the youthful throng.
Eagerly, we soak up knowledge
to the beat of rock ’n roll;
teetering the edge of innocence,
while searching for the one true song
that fulfills and makes us whole —
that perches in the soul.

Speak to us of autumn breeze,
and old, familiar pathways worn;
in quickened wind, the dry leaves fall
to take their place upon the lawn.
The late day sun drops swiftly now
as somewhere deep a memory stirs,
aroused by old familiar tune…
and though the verses aren't recalled
each hums the melody once heard
and sings the tune without the words.

Speak to us of winter’s bite
the chill that seeks out brittle bone,
as childhood fades to distant past
its memory lost to cold, gray dawn.
Yet hope survives inside the heart,
though time erodes, we still recall—
retained from tender years now spent,
that tune of youth is not forgot…
it resonates from when we’re small
and never stops at all.

© Ginny Brannan 2013

Trying my hand at a second Glosa. Here is a link to the first. 

The glosa is a form of poetry from the late 14th century and was popular in the Spanish court. The introduction, the cabeza, is a quatrain quoting a well-known poem or poet.

The second part is the glosa proper, expanding on the theme of the cabeza, consisting of four ten-line stanzas, with the lines of the cabeza used to conclude each stanza.

Lines six and nine must rhyme with the borrowed tenth.
There are no rules governing meter and line length, except that traditionally, they emulate the style of the lines in the cabeza. Because of its structure, theglosa is ideally used as a poem of tribute. In writing that tribute, you weave your lines with the lines of the opening cabeza, collaborating, as it were, with the spirit of the poet you honour.

Honoring one of my favorites, Emily Dickinson, a New England poet who resided only a brief half- hour's drive from my own home.

Sharing at d'Verse Meeting the Bar: Are you listing?

14 comments:

  1. smiles...cool step through the seasons, in nature and life...i rather like spring in your words for all its fantasy...autumn for its comfort...each season as with each age brings its own joys...and trails...

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    1. ha i remember this one from the other day and did not notice then but it fits perfect....this time i want sand castles, knights and pirates...as it makes me think of the beach...smiles.

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  2. Ginny this is so elegant. It goes beautifully with the ED quote. and kudos on the form!

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  3. A lovely glosa, I must try this form again ~

    The quote from Emily is exquisite and your seasonal progression is very creative ~ Though winter will chill our bones, may we never forget the hope and youthful step inside us ~

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  4. Ginny, I have to say you are the queen of form. I like working in it but it almost always seems forced to me whereas yours just dances flawlessly. Lovely use of the Glosa, the list prompt and repetition is starting each stanza with:"Speak to us of..." I really like that technique.

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  5. Very much enjoyed this, what a lovely form and as has been said just flawless...beautiful

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  6. 'chill that seeks out brittle bones' -- my sentiment exactly today, and so funny, I had considered using 'brittle' in my piece today but to no avail..glad it got some good use :) peace, Jason

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  7. I always wanted to be a Palladin, but settled for being an ex-actor, teacher, dreamer, and poet. Your journey, your lists are all inclusive; a mini-epic of language; smartly written & paced; liked several lines /those dew-cast morns where eagles soar/,
    /we soak up knowledge from rock and roll/, & /and sings the tune without the words/, like kissing without lips, touching without fingers, seeing while stone blind; a spirited ride for all of us; thanks.

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  8. Just beautiful, Ginny. You have captured EACH season so well.

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  9. great symbolic stances in e poem along with a beautiful imagery and wonderful writing.. :-)

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  10. a nice capture of the seasons and how they weave in and out of our lives and carry their soul into ours...each with their special beauty

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  11. great movement through the seasons and time - excellent write

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Thank you for reading my poetry and sharing your thoughts.