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Just Before Twilight

I tap the crystal
hanging in the west window.

It scatters patches
of color over the room -

the fringe on the pillow
the fireplace
the purple couch

the quiet ukulele
in its corner.

I embrace this moment,

let it soften my skin
then blend with my blood.

I feel safe here in this room,
here in this prism

of light
warmth
silence.

The last illumination
of this last January day.

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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Comments

J

Jane A. Rug

2 months 3 weeks ago

L is for luminescence

Scads of decades ago while matriculating for one semester at Kutztown State University, I read Turtle Island by Gary Snyder, and his spartan use of words (similar to your style) to evoke images, hence imagistic style, but for no particular rhyme or reason my preference to write tends to be unstinting with words, although readers may chomp at the figurative bit.

Lavender

Lavender

2 months 3 weeks ago

Turtle Island

...and Gary Snyder. I'll check out both the book and author. 

Thank you for reading!

L

Geezer

Geezer

2 months 3 weeks ago

The last...

 rays of the day are magical; you have added the spell of a prism.
The warmth of the room, the quiet ukulele, and a royal couch, 
give rise to the safety felt at the end of the day, this last day of January.

A really quiet poem that says so much, with so few words. Excellent! ~ Geez.

P.S. I suddenly had the notion, that this was a check-in for you, like this is the half-way point of your winter. Gathering quiet strength for the second half. 
.
 

Lavender

Lavender

2 months 3 weeks ago

Hello, Geezer!

It was such a hard January in so many ways.  I felt the pure exhaustion from it almost to the point of collapse.  It was comforting and healing to be in that moment in a space where I felt safe and able to release the pain.  I know many of us have felt / feel this way.  Your notion is correct - a new month absolutely gives me the feeling of drawing strength from the future.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!  I am always grateful!

Lx

William Lynn

William Lynn

2 months 3 weeks ago

Hello

Hello Lavender.

On those days when the world outside seems so full of darkness, we all can benefit from a single ray of sunshine, and your poem just brough a bright ray into my day.

Thank you for this gentle, wonderful poem. - Will

Lavender

Lavender

2 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, Will,

It's always wonderful to share a little light with one another. 

Thank you for reading! 

L

John Leslie O'Kelley

John Leslie O'Kelley

2 months 2 weeks ago

Lavender

I felt the very same way about this quiet and restful poem, great job! I have learned, much from your poems about how to endure trial! I love the illumination that it brought to my sometimes, darkened mind, thank you very much.

Lavender

Lavender

2 months 2 weeks ago

Hello, John,

If this brought any illumination, then that makes me happy.

Thank you for reading, as always!

L

Wallyroo92

Wallyroo92

2 months 1 week ago

Just Before Twilight

I love the reflection in this piece, those quite moments that lets us look inside captured with light, as if illuminating the path behind and ahead.

Well done.