Fallow time, moon-dark: no power
of words nor healing much less
smiles tears or beauty-making
(feeble light flickers in clouded lantern)
You know the black river under
starless skies ever cold and silent
No remedy but surrender
touch bottom (source-love)
and resurface
Title borrowed from “We Lying by Seasand,” by Dylan Thomas.
Graceful Press Poetry 
Both somber and so beautiful! Merci Jennifer! FGM
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Thank you! It’s always nice to hear from you!
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Got to be honest and say this is Advanced Level Poetry i.e. way out of my comfort zone or comprehension range. That said I can appreciate the depth and feeling that went into it. Can imagine those more honed in this form of writing will love it.
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Paul, you inspire me to work harder, because I do want my poetry to be accessible. I’ll allow it to be out of your comfort zone, but not your comprehension range. 🙂
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“No remedy but surrender.” Ain’t that the truth? Nicely done. Karen
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Thanks, Karen.
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Well, I will “bravely” take a shot of this. I sense you are speaking of ‘going through’ or ‘working through’ the pain…am I getting warm?
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Oh, yes! I didn’t mean for it to be so obscure. 😦
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I love, love this Jennifer.
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Thank you, thank you!
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This is lovely, Jennifer. Reminds me a bit of Adrienne Rich’s Diving poem (can’t remember the title). One of my favorites.
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Thank you–made my day!
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“Diving in the Wreck” — that’s it!
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I knew just the one you meant! Fabulous poem.
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P.S. I think poetry should require a little work. Not intentionally obfuscating, but you have to linger on poetry, take time to hear each word. I think that’s a good thing. IMHO.
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Well said. That’s one of the reasons poetry can be fun to teach, but also one of the reasons some students avoid it.
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Yes, linger. We really aren’t in the habit of reading that way, are we? These days, when I read a poetry collection, I’m always wanting a blank page in between the poems, to give my brain time to digest.
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This was really beautiful. I like the image of touching bottom and resurfacing.
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Thank you, Marcy!
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This is gorgeous. I particularly love the last three lines.
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Thanks so much!
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This is FABULOUS! I love it.
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Yay! Thank you 🙂
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Beautifully imagery – ‘surrender, touch bottom, resurface’ – gorgeous.
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Thank you, I appreciate it!
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This one is so rich. I can keep reading it over and over…”the black river…” I love the resurfacing. You get so much into your 42 words. Thanks, Jennifer.
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You are too sweet. (I am smiling.)
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There is a sadness and a beauty in those words. Touching.
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Thanks for reading! I appreciate your comment.
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Wow…beautiful words…reminds me of stuff I used to read at uni for English lit…
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Thank you, I don’t think anyone has said that to me before! 🙂
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Thank you for ending on resurface! Dark and true, a beautiful poem. I love the parenthetical line : )
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Yes, always resurfacing, and the ( ) is why. Thanks for your kind words.
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Love Dylan Thomas. 😉 And love how this piece makes me feel, lost in your beautiful words.
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Thank you. I am just getting into more of Dylan Thomas’ work–been reading his Collected Poems. I love his word-play.
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So do I! Neat stuff
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Fan-flibbity-tastic, Jennifer! Your use of hyphens added an element of a game being played that is unexpected. Like a teeter totter? Or maybe more like a tug-of-war? Moon-dark, source-love. Am I overanalyzing?
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haha, I admit I have a fondness for hyphens–and dashes–I think it started with Beowulf and that kenning thing 😉
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Dang, those last three lines in particular. But really, every word was perfect. I really loved this poem, Jennifer. It is so beautifully constructed. And the images – “fallow time,” “black river” – gorgeous. Really nicely done. Thanks for linking it up.
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Thanks to you, Christine. Great prompt. I hope you are feeling good as new!
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At first, I thought where are we going with all this imagery and mood, then your last line. super.
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Thanks for the “super.” 🙂
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