Sunday 21 July 2013

Starlight Sanctuary


The dew damp dawn calls an ending to the night,
the first bird song, a tolling bell, a call to flight.
Some now wake, some now sleep, all follow nature's lore,
the hidden starlight sanctuary, shelters from the waking dawn.

The stoic sun, as ancient oak, whose eyes belie its stare,
gazes down upon the battlefield, of war in Poseidon's lair.
Mermaids flight, dolphins fight, ashore the unicorns run,
all seek the starlight sanctuary, veiled from the raging sun.

The axe now rests, its work is done, the fire burning bright,
tall tales are told, no truths unfold, beneath the fading light.
Through glinting eyes, shrouded by the night, a secret to remain,
for the hidden starlight sanctuary, all will look in vain.

Embers fade, ash fresh made, the blood red moon above,
searching for the starlight sanctuary, its forever secret love.

Copyright © 2013 by Mike Sutcliffe

I wrote this poem in dedication to the wonderful children's book, The Starlight Sailor, illustrated by the talented artist, Jackie Morris. It happened that I took my family to Pembrokeshire and stayed in a Mongolian yurt at Trellyn Woodland Camping. The canvass of the yurt had been beautifully decorated by Jackie with characters from the book ~ mermaids, dolphins and unicorns. After the most inspiring of weeks, it seemed appropriate to try and put into words the spirit of her book, combined with my feelings about the experiences I had. I hope you enjoy.

28 comments:

  1. What a truly wonderful dedication, inspiration comes in many forms.

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  2. Fabulous sonnet - quite a paean to nature, to another's art, to the lost arts and fading myths - breathing here new life into that was fading as the brilliant moon seeks to shed its light as well. Very fine!

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  3. oh i love all the characters you have in this...the unicorn, mermaid, poseidon...nice.. and nice job on the sonnet as well mike

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  4. YOu capture the mysteries and mythologies of the Universe as is in these words so beautifully thanks for sharing them so I can experience this too..

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  5. What a wonderful dedication piece--and I love the characters and your flow--

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  6. adoring the way this sonnet flows and the imagery unfolding before my eyes as i read..'all seek the starlight sanctuary, veiled from the raging sun'..magical and inspiring, this..

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  7. very cool...i need to look up this book as i really enjoyed your poem and the tale it spun...really nice rhythm to it as well...enchanting really...very nice...

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  8. This has such an old world charm about it - a bit of a troubadour, telling stories...

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  9. First time here, thanks to dverse Poets, and I simply loved this poem. Not only the repeated phrases like "starlight sanctuary," but the magical air of unicorns and mermaids... like a fairy tale for adults.

    Then I read your dedication, and the story of the yurt, and it made even more of an impression on me. You are a weaver of moonlit magic. Amy

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  10. The imagery here is wonderful.

    Great job.

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  11. Yes, I did enjoy the poem full of magic and fantasy..a great combination.

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  12. Wonderful sonnet.. and the background of a children's books and myths is so strong... and perfect scansion and rhymes.. beautyful.

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  13. A beautiful sonnet and tribute...filled with rich language, color and lore. A truly enjoyable read!~jackie~

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  14. Mike, this is stunning and, at the risk of overusing the word that many have used, magical! I love the image of the blood red moon searching for its love -- gorgeous! Thanks for coming by also.

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  15. I enjoyed your sonnet and its magical quality!

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  16. A beautiful fantasy, fantastic imagery..I find myself in quest for the starlight sanctuary.

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  17. Wonderful to read your process notes and then go back and read the poem again. Thanks for sharing them.

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  18. A beautifully written sonnet and that ending couplet is just magical ~ I appreciate the process notes as well ~ Thanks for sharing them ~

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  19. your poem instantly took me to the place i always want to be; deep in my imagination.
    these two lines i especially loved;

    Mermaids flight, dolphins fight, ashore the unicorns run,
    all seek the starlight sanctuary, veiled from the raging sun.

    the perfect tempo, the natural rhyme, the imagery...just a wonderful poem.
    Mike, thank you for leading the way with your like of ladybug.

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  20. in the mist
    of a forest night
    I follow the damp
    white light
    that guides my way home

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  21. You are very gifted poet my friend. Love the simplicity, and imagery, the ease to be able to read with a flow that for most poetry is uncommon. I feel in most cases poetry should rhyme with grace and beauty and this you have accomplished with such ease it is a work of art. Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of your writings, a fan Belinda Sue Kiser
    http://sbpra.com/belindasue/

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  22. A well constructed sonnet, full of powerful and evocative imagery.

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  23. Mike, this is my first time to visit here. And with this beautifully written sonnet, I know I shall return. Truly a beauty.

    Pamela

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  24. Great and lovely dedication write.

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  25. A wonderful poem and backstory.... I truly felt as though I were there, watching the embers fade.... A poets job well done!

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  26. pretty nice blog, following :)

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  27. A beautiful poem, and such rich words.

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