The cicada calls crest and wash over me.
Their high summer drone is not loud enough
to compete with the din in my head.
They will be hushed soon
when the world holds its breath
between dark and light.
But the sun moves slowly
and the wind is too tired
to move the heavy air around me.
I am grateful for the heat at least
that will keep so many inside
while I keep my vigil.
I am waiting for the stars
hidden by daylight. Logic tells me
they have not disappeared.
I need to remember
what it means to shine,
even when clouds dim the light.
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| Artwork by Shelle Kennedy. Find more of her art on her blog, her Etsy shop, and Instagram. |
Song Choice: Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
Liner Notes for this Groove: This poem was created for the Weekend Mini Challenge at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads, Let Evening Come.
I love the world holding its breath between dark and light. My poem said somewhat the same thing. There is that feeling of suspension. Always a favourite time of day for me, when everything turns golden. I LOVE your closing stanza. This poem is really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a lovely time to gather one's thoughts, yes.
DeleteI agree, that closing stanza rocks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra
DeleteI love the thought of waiting for the stars, Rommy and the way your poem makes us wait for the clouds to dim the light. The opening lines are so evocative, with the crest and wash of cicada calls. My favourite lines capture the moment beautifully:
ReplyDelete‘when the world holds its breath
between dark and light’.
When I am fortunate enough to be outside for that long, I love noting the moment I can see the first stars, because to me it marks the arrival of true night.
DeleteEvening as a time of sweet anticipation...I like this!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn
DeleteI need to remember
ReplyDeletewhat it means to shine,
even when clouds dim the light.
It certainly is a better choice to anticipate lots of goodness knowing fully well one is deserving of all the day's blessings.
Hank
I quite agree
DeleteThe art and poem speak to each other beautifully.
ReplyDeleteShelle is a very talented artist
DeleteBeautifully written. The human prevails in spite of progress. I like your picture selection, a woman of determination through less than suitable surroundings. I am reminded of the millions of displaced Mums fighting for their breed's hold.
ReplyDelete..
It is hard to think of progress these days without a bit of irony, when there is evidence all around us of how little so-called progress helps some of the most vulnerable people. Good catch, Jim.
Deletewhat it means to shine... I also like the embracing of the heat - as it means privacy ;) I look up at the sky, here in the mountains and it seems like a sheet of stars... it is truly amazing and reinvigorating.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I tolerate the heat better than most people I know. So as long as I have a cold drink near me, the porch is mine in the summertime.
DeleteThere is nothing so glorious as to see the sky filled with stars and only little light on Earth so everything is brilliantly clear. A beautiful poem Rommy.
ReplyDeleteThe night sky is one of the most beautiful sights to see.
DeleteWhat a wonderful way you described the stifling feeling this little heatwave is creating in us wildlings....fortunately we have had cool refreshing downpours here over the last 24hours and out leaves are still vibrantly green XXX
ReplyDeleteThe fight between the intense rain and insane heat seems to have settled down for a bit where I live. I'm perfectly happy with high 80's and low 90's.
DeleteI agree you definitely left us with a wonderful final verse. A superb poem
ReplyDeleteThanks Jae
DeleteI agree with Jae Rose. That last verse is stunning. We always have to keep in mind what it means to shine & continue to realize that shining IS possible even when the world is the darkest.
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it Mary. :)
DeleteThis is incredibly exquisite, Rommy!💖 I resonate with "the world holds its breath
ReplyDeletebetween dark and light," it does seem like that at times 😘😘
It can be such a treat to witness that in-between state.
DeleteI so loved the introductory stanza when I read it on IG but having the whole poem before me completes the reading experience!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kerry. Sometimes it's tough for me to figure out which snippet to pop up on Instagram, but I love what that verse does on its own, and how it sets the stage for the verses that come after.
Delete"I am waiting for the stars
ReplyDeletehidden by daylight. Logic tells me
they have not disappeared"
My favourite stanza
Thanks for dropping by my sumie Sunday today
Much❤🕊❤love
I'm glad you liked it Gillena
DeleteYou describe the moments so well, and that last stanza is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda
DeleteThis one breaks my heart, with its beauty and with well it fits the current state of the world. The loudness of the summer that can't quiet the screaming of the soul makes me think of how I feel about the news--so much suffering can't be veiled by, let's say, twittering nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThere is a melancholy dancing through this poem, which makes me want to weep. So, I am so very glad when I reach the end, and find out that although the poem was born from pain and heartbreaking darkness, the speaker hasn't quite forgotten of the light... and better things.
I'll be happy for the day I hear the last of that twittering nonsense.
DeleteAnd in the seeking what it means to shine, you have shone. So many beautiful moments and images, I was rapt from start to finish. Thank you for transporting me back to cicada songs.
ReplyDeleteThank you H!
DeleteThat evocation as heat as the blanket that quiets one's thoughts before an evening reveal...so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks C!
DeleteBeautifully said. May the light return soon! Meanwhile, we must all keep shining as best we can.
ReplyDeleteHere's to all of us trying to shine.
DeleteA beautifully rendered piece with some wonderful, eloquent lines. My fav: "when the world holds its breath between dark and light." It is so nuanced … truly, to the point that I can't decide if it is comforting - or scary. I love it when writing leaves me puzzling.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I love it when my writing ends up with lots of little nuances.
DeleteI like the message of the last verse!
ReplyDeleteThanks Thotpurge
DeleteBeautifully penned.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it
DeleteI love the last couple of stanzas. Waiting for the stars...I've been there and yes, they never really ever disappear.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank goodness for that.
DeleteLove this, especially the ending!
ReplyDeleteAw! Thanks Reba. :)
Delete“When the world holds its breath between darkness and light “ - gorgeous imagery.
ReplyDeleteI love your ending which, to me, says a great deal.
That was what I had intended. Thanks!
DeleteI love this Rommy! You brought tears to my eyes! This poem means so much to me! It really touched my soul! For me, your writing was about all of us, when we shut down and forget to shine!!! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it touched you that way *hugs*
Delete