As a reminder, this year’s theme is transformation.
Narrowing that down, I’ve been focused on particular scientific processes.
And this month, the prompt is to write a ghazal — a traditional Persian form made up of couplets and both end rhyme and internal rhyme that ends up feeling, to me at least, fussy.
But who am I to argue? Here goes…
ORBIT/orbit/verb
A Ghazal
Liz Garton Scanlon
Oh, it’s you again, is it? Arising all bright full?
All beamy and pulsey, magnetic, exciteful?
You swing back around with the seas at your feet,
reflecting my gaze the whole heavy night full.
But it’s just a phase, you go gibbous so soon
and I’m left again, wound-up way too tightful.
And then you are dark and impossibly cold,
promises wane and the crops all go blight full.
Stop mooning, I say to my starstrucky self,
because even a sliver is plenty delightful.
To read more, go here:
Laura
Tanita
Mary Lee
Kelly
Tricia
Sara
And Patricia at Reverie is hosting Poetry Friday! Enjoy!
Brilliant. (Pun intended.)
My favorite description of the moon EVER: “All beamy and pulsey, magnetic, exciteful?”
Liz, even if this challenge didn’t grab you in its loving embrace, STILL you aced the interesting rhyme refrain and all the moony vocabulary. I’m beaming!
Oh Liz. Heavenly! xxxx
Ooh, I love what you’ve done with ful/full! Wonderful! And I learned you have a moon book coming this fall…me too! YAY! 🙂
Love it!
Love how you managed to still wordPLAY with a form that really does seem a bit fussy, a bit picky… but you found the delightful bit, go you!
Gawd — just love the snarky voice in that opening! Like a teenager ready to challenge everything who comes around softer after her rant. – lol
The lilting sense of humor here! Somehow, I didn’t think a ghazal could be slyly funny, but you’ve totally pulled that off along with some truly stunning images and fun twisty language.
Ha! My students need to see this one. We’ve been reviewing phases of the moon in the library for state testing. I love the voice of this with “starstucky,” and “tightful.” Fun ghazal…and I rarely find this form fun.
Choosing the word ‘full’ is marvelous, Liz, a way to turn that expectation of the end word into a “full-er” list of choices! I do love “But it’s just a phase” & that ending.
Hehe–so witty, Liz! And so many delicious word choices. <3
Stop mooning! I adore this look at the moon. I think your repeating word was probably the hardest to bend to your will, but this is masterful.
Splendidly splendid! The moon is always such a great subject, and I love the way you describe it as “All beamy and pulsey, magnetic, exciteful”
Love the variety of end rhymes. Fun and clever.
Liz, blending science with poetry and adding a personal touch is all in your ghazal. I am impressed with your skill and word choice.
Gorgeous, I’m swooning from your ease of mooning phases and phrases slipping in so naturally, thanks! ☺️
Oh, you nailed it, despite your feelings about the form’s fussiness. Thanks for this chance to swoon at the moon in all its ever-changing glory.