Late November

Inspired by James Joyce's "The Dead"

When sorrow’s swelling tide transcends,

ascended blues crash upon the sands of sore eyes,

and bury foresight’s white sails,

with siren songs of solace and solitude.

 

Sunken in the bottomless sea

of December’s sleepy song,

soothed spite leaks like ice,

chilled by a dream’s solemn nostalgia.

 

Swim beneath these frozen shores

to see the deepness of the dead,

the drowned ghost, his slumped head,

blind inside tsunami eyes.

 

When the light pours out,

he stares like a black hall

at ominous waves rising

to endless heights.

 

His shadowed ship slowly floats,

hidden behind his dimming essence,

down the darkest passage,

below the floor of an empty ocean.

 

Escape that silent image,

deeply breathe the sea away,

and through the bedroom window,

watch winter dye the colors gray.

Reviews

[J.P.O.et]

I agree with adyvb, your use of color in this piece is exceptional
I feel undereducated as I will soon be looking up Joyce's 'The Dead', once again you have inspired me to enlighten myself
'blind inside tsunami eyes', I love this line
'watch winter dye the colors grey'
Good read
J.P.O.et

[Red Brick Keshner]

Somewhat dark and brooding. Reminds my of why many people I know, including myself part dread the advent of winter. The power words lend to the sense of sombre majesty, brewing and impending like the eye of a storm to those in the know.

If you don't mind I have begun reading from your earliest posts. From that starting point I shall work my way to your latest or perhaps work from either end like a crab's pincer. We shall see how it goes.

[Sarah]

This is absolutely beautiful. I love symbolism that pertains to the ocean and it's mysteries - so this was definitely a rewarding read! I can't even pick a favorite line, I love them all too much. >_

[Adam Jordan Turner]

Oh wow this one is really awesome. I really really really like,

When sorrow's swelling tide transcends,

ascended blues crash upon the sands of sore eyes,

and bury foresight's white sails,

with siren songs of solace and solitude.

I think that was a really sweet start, it was like a big punch right in the beginning. I love the imagery here, and i really like the description here as well. I think this is one of my favorite of your pieces so far! Good job!

[Tania Leigh]

Excellent alliteration makes this flow so well, and your talent for imagery brings it to life.

This is wonderful, Travis!

[a]

I love the descriptive language in this piece. Excellent job of executing it perfectly.

[J.P. Bristow]

I put this into my library.......what can I say...this is art.

[Kasey Klein]

Ah, stuff like this is the reason I read poetry at all.

[Erin Phoenix]

Swim beneath these frozen shores
to see the deepness of the dead,
the drowned ghost, his slumped head,
blind inside tsunami eyes.

^
^
^

I love that...

[iammerideth]

truly the best i have read on here. i like your style.

[April Child]

Absolutely wonderful.. Haunting.

When sorrow's swelling tide transcends,
ascended blues crash upon the sands of sore eyes,
and bury foresight's white sails,
with siren songs of solace and solitude

I love this stanza, just wondering though if you need the 'ascended' in line 2...

Altogether an inspiring piece.