A Shade Darker
Sanaa -
March 23, 2019
Earlier PoemsPoetry

The low sky had become charcoal grey
so much
so that the moon heard not voices
that swallowed the world and peace of centuries which dwelt
in green pastures,
here
amidst the shadows sleep swans, their dreams amalgamating
into one
I consider choosing you
knowing well that Cygnus would approve
you see
I have had these instances
where chrysanthemums have urged me to feed my soul
yours
is the journey I wish to embark upon, as laughter grows
into something fond,
a feeling
cherished and stored for days when the sky threatens to turn
a shade darker.

 

Photo credits: Pinterest

Read here about The Swan in Celtic Mythology.

Posted for Weekend Mini-Challenge @ Real Toads

And Posted on the Poetry Pantry @ Poets United

52 Responses

  1. Vivian Zems says:
    March 24, 2019 at 4:54 am

    Ah Sanaa! I love this one. I love the idea of laughter growing and as something to be cherished and protected. Bravo!

    Reply
  2. Bjorn Rudberg says:
    March 24, 2019 at 5:56 am

    I love the way you chose the Cygnus… I think they would approve,… they are wonderful creatures in so many ways.

    Reply
  3. Toni Hayes Spencer says:
    March 24, 2019 at 9:06 am

    Cygnus are such beautiful animals! and named after the constellation.

    Reply
  4. Margaret says:
    March 24, 2019 at 10:57 am

    laughter growing paired with the graceful cygnus – a lovely image

    Reply
  5. Kim M. Russell says:
    March 24, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    Swan mythology is particularly haunting, from Greek legends to fairy tales, and the Cygnus constellation or the Northern Cross is a familiar constellation. I love the way you’ve brought the two together in this poem, Sanaa, as well as the contrast of charcoal grey sky and moon, sleeping swans and chrysanthemums. The final lines are stunning.

    Reply
    • Sanaa says:
      March 24, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      Awww gosh! ❤️ Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! ❤️

      (and thank you for the lovely prompt) 🌹

      Reply
  6. Kerry says:
    March 24, 2019 at 3:44 pm

    I have had these instances
    where chrysanthemums have urged me to feed my soul

    Such an evocative poem, Sanaa!

    Reply
  7. Rommy says:
    March 24, 2019 at 8:09 pm

    Love is sometimes the only true shelter we have under darkening skies.

    Reply
  8. Vicki J ROGERS says:
    March 24, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    A stunning beautiful write. Love it

    Reply
  9. Rosemary Nissen-Wade says:
    March 24, 2019 at 10:20 pm

    Most fascinating! And the inclusion of chrysanthemums is absolutely inspired.

    Reply
  10. Magical Mystical Teacher says:
    March 24, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    One must always heed the urgings of the chrysanthemums, don’t you think?

    Reply
  11. Magaly Guerrero says:
    March 24, 2019 at 11:13 pm

    I love the idea of storing the good and glorious to use on those days when the not-so-good comes to carve its mark…

    Reply
  12. dsnake1 says:
    March 24, 2019 at 11:47 pm

    i think this is a great love poem, and a lovely take on the Celtic legend.
    the narrator knows where his love is, even under very trying conditions. i like the contrast of the dark skies, and the swan, which i assumed is white. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Sherry Blue Sky says:
    March 24, 2019 at 11:57 pm

    I love the swans sleeping in the shadows……..and the chrysanthemums urging you to feed your soul. Travel carefully and safely, voyager………

    Reply
  14. HA says:
    March 25, 2019 at 12:43 am

    Ooh, I love how you have so deftly imbibed the swan mythology and symbolism here — it’s like a bewitching song — a sensory palette which is both emotive and evocative.
    I loved this bit: “I have had these instances/where chrysanthemums have urged me to feed my soul/yours/is the journey I wish to embark upon, as laughter grows/into something fond…”

    Reply
  15. Chrissa says:
    March 25, 2019 at 1:10 am

    This is beautiful; just compelling.

    Reply
  16. Colleen LOOSELEAFNOTES says:
    March 25, 2019 at 1:53 am

    I love that chrysanthemums can urge and the moon hears voices, or not.

    Reply
  17. Wendy Bourke says:
    March 25, 2019 at 3:27 am

    Another lovely, beautifully imaged piece. I totally agree with Magaly’s comment: an interesting, contemplative ending.

    Reply
  18. Linda Lee Lyberg says:
    March 25, 2019 at 3:27 am

    A simply beautiful poem Sanaa! I Love your imagery.

    Reply
  19. Jim says:
    March 25, 2019 at 4:43 am

    I like this sooo very much, Sanaa. It started out just right with me, the moon not being able to hear voices because of the heavy grey skies. “chrysanthemums have urged” again shows very finely tuned with the hearing or not hearing. This time for the good.
    ..

    Reply
  20. Thotpurge says:
    March 25, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    Goodness.. that reminds me the monsoon is just a couple of months away…. !!

    Reply
  21. Magyar says:
    March 26, 2019 at 12:04 am

    seasoned wings fly
    above this warming garden
    green reaches
    _m

    Reply
  22. Sara McNulty says:
    March 26, 2019 at 3:04 am

    This poem’s imagery gave me goosebumps. Beautiful, Sanaa!

    Reply
  23. Susie Clevenger says:
    March 26, 2019 at 5:40 am

    Love, it can be our glory or our demise. This is a beautiful poem.

    Reply
  24. Whitesnake says:
    March 26, 2019 at 6:15 am

    Nature has away of soothing the soul in so many different ways.

    Reply

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