Ghost ship in a storm

This is for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday prompt. A string of Essences.

Ghost ship in a storm

How deep the ocean night,
when sleep takes wing in flight,

cloud clashes, ships of grey,
light flashes bright as day?

Storm blasts its shipwreck tales,
lost masts and tattered sails,

by lightning, deathly white,
a frightening, eerie sight.

Listen, old timbers creak,
and cold dead voices shriek;

we hear their wretched plight,
but fear keeps shutters tight.

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Deer

Colleen reminded me of the Essence poetry form.

Deer

There were deer on the hill,
fled in fear, never still,

on the hill, till they heard,
not the rill, not a bird,

but the crack of a gun.
Looking back, through the sun,

saw a man, metal bright,
and they ran, feather-light,

in the green, left a glow
where they’d been, so I’d know.

Daily poem: Essence 31

Last day of March and goodbye, Essence. Next month something new; to be announced.

 

Into this sunfall, night

fills with bliss, darkstar light.

Daily poem: Essence 30

Sky rains, spring flood pouring—

mud stains grass, stream roaring.

Daily poem: Essence 29

Photo©Richard Bartz

Quiet spring, sun splashes

on jay’s wing—bird flashes.

Daily poem: Essence 28

 

When the night is no more

than starlight dim, je dors.

Daily poem: Essence 27

 

Cat sighs, firelight caught

in your eyes—what I sought.

Daily poem: Essence 26

 

In the night your voice—tears

flood my sight, grief, my ears.

Daily poem: Essence 25

 

Spring births slow, budburst pain;

Clouds hang low, charged with rain.

Daily poem: Essence 24

 

Morning breaks, sharp with frost

and wakes the sun, not lost.