Moonbeam Ridge

inspired by Robert ("bad bunny") . . .

Loftiest apex in the Santa Cruz summits
ancient one snapped a hundred acres cheap
graced her primitive post Moonbeam Ridge
and camped in remote wilds for thirty years.

Luna steadily hammered hodge-podge corrals
for breeding twenty-some horses and llamas
but a tempestuous filly, sans shelter was she.

Of six sisters only a few were never tamed.
Sis and I bumped and clattered a rustic way
up to Moonbeam for Luna’s sacred celebrations
a refreshing version of UN-Hallmark holidays
drumming under plump Grandmother Moon
food roasting all day over coals underground.

The party pops as darkness descends
a muffled indigo horizon is backlit by
smoldering suggestion of moonbeams.
Far below the sprawling city is frothy,
gradually growing, a peppered pink glow.

Dew drop galaxies with sparkling cobwebs
shimmering strands of tinsel span the bay
pin pricks fizzle to pencil a blackberry shore
far below the Bay Bridge twinkles a mere hint
as San Francisco Peninsula surges into night.

Distant coyotes howl to encourage the moon:
illuminate our skittering rodent hors d'oeuvres!
Horses huff and hooves scuff the crunchy loam
while clucking llamas resemble amplified quail.

Gazing the brisk star spray of a country night
sometimes when I close my eyes so tight
I catch the twinkling of Luna’s dew drop galaxies
from our long-ago perch up on Moonbeam Ridge.

Author's Note

I lifted the phrase "dew drop galaxies" from Robert Trakofler's poem
"Inductive Reason" (oooops! no plagiarism rants please!)
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Flaccidbunny/2124342/

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

If the result of plagiarism is this I would be glad to send you a copy of everything I have ever written! Vivid is the spectrum of your palate you draw with words so lovely. Your ink daubs emotion so sincere in the images you pen. To say that I am flattered that anything i could scrawl could evoke this sort of response is well we haven't created a word to give justice my gratitude I treasure this

[barleygirl]

During the "honeymoon period" (when we are so pleased with something we've just penned), I kept coming back to that great phrase you penned! I slept with all my doors & windows wide open (60* this morning) & it felt like I was sleeping outdoors, so I pretended I was camping out above the dew drop galaxies! *smile* Thanks for the inspiration! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Dave Brown]

I just came across this wonderful piece
Another thoroughly enjoyable write and of all the images you penned, I enjoyed the coyote the most
can almost hear his far off cry, haunting in the still night, lovely!

jeeze I love the automatic spelling fixer thingy !!

[barleygirl]

Thanks for stopping by . . . even tho I can't remember writing this a week later, I do have a lasting memory of going up to my sister's mountain where we'd have these interesting all-nighters howling at the moon. Does the cafe app auto-correct now? I hadn't noticed. (I never make mistakes - heh! heh! heh!) Fondly, Margie

[light and ashes]

I love this, fantastic work.

[barleygirl]

Thank you for digging back . . . I forget what I've written more than a week ago! I love to reminded of fun times from real-life! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[light and ashes]

It was great, you're welcome.
I get it. I have some memory problems too.

[andrew mitchell]

What a lovely picture, like a Avatar scene with wild horses.

[barleygirl]

I forgot about writing this (happens all the time!) Thanks for reminding me & complimenting too! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[CD Campbell]

This is full of overwhelming imagery. It rolls along rather well and takes you on a magnificent journey as if you were right along perched on your shoulder. Splendid! Great work , Margie! CD

[barleygirl]

After a lifetime of technical writing, I tend to be a bit terse with my descriptions, so I really tried to let things roll a bit more here, so I'm glad you mentioned it! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love how we travel up the ridge for a panoramic feast.
Thanks for the trail ride.

[barleygirl]

Thank YOU for such a sweet review! It was my pleasure to go back in time! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[DAH]

"Dew drop galaxies with sparkling cobwebs
shimmering strands of tinsel span the bay
pin pricks fizzle to pencil a blackberry shore
far below the Bay Bridge twinkles a mere hint
as San Francisco Peninsula surges into night"

... that I live in Berkeley gives me the right to
relate to this on a deeply personal level, and I do!

The mysticism in this piece drew me in and played with my spirit ...

Bravo,
DAH

[barleygirl]

You being from Berkeley makes my whole day! I consider Santa Cruz & Berkeley to have similar vibes & SC is full of my kind of real human beings! *wink! wink!* Thanks for relating so beautifully! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[DAH]

Santa Cruz was my first choice for buying a house 25 years ago (somehow I ended up owning one in Berkeley). Yes, they are similar, but Berkeley is out building itself so much and at such an aggressive speed that I will eventually sell and move way south to the village of Carpinteria. I spend a few times per in Santa Cruz. I love having coffee at Mr. Toots in Capitola. I've lived in Berkeley for 40 years, it's time to move on, to get away from the congestion. We'll have to meet up for a cup-o-joe on Pacific Ave sometime. Looking forward ...

[barleygirl]

I live in the Big Sur mnts for cheap for the past ten years, but this place is going up for sale, & when that happens, rent often becomes prohibitive, like it is everywhere on Monterey Peninsula. Preparing for this possibility, I have also been looking south to the much-cheaper Santa Maria area! Good luck in your next venture.

[DAH]

Then we'll have to grab coffee in Pacific Grove ... I vaca in P.G. a few times per year (my second choice for moving to). Also, I love the heat and desert energy of the Santa Maria area. My daughter just graduated from UCSB with a degree in film. I've spent the past four years exploring the coast from SLO to Carp. Powerful healing energy along that area ... good luck on your moving farther south.

[barleygirl]

Great share! *smile* I live on a line (aerial view) that connects 3 hots springs: Esalen, Tassajara, Paraiso . . . & I've gone thru an astonishing healing journey here, learning to walk again after neck injury. I will hate to leave here if it comes to that. But I'm also ready for some new adventure.

[DAH]

Bravo to healing. Ah, the hot springs: Mercey Hot Springs is not far from you. Spent three days there last week, the desert setting is mystical. Heading to Harbin Hot Springs next weekend. Yes, to new adventure ... peace and light!

[Robert Trakofler]

I just have periodic mine subsidence here:) :/ kinda makes sense huh!

[DAH]

three pennies make a few cents ... you and I make two sense ... when it sinks, jump in!

[Robert Trakofler]

lol I get my bathing cap

[Sami Khalil]

What a view and what a celebration of sight and sound. As you perch high in writing skills, the viewer can see better and better, clearer and clearer the wonderful things you see and experience. Your hints twinkle like little stars at the horizon of poetry. Animals add to the natural beauty of the surroundings.

[Sami Khalil]

"The party pops as darkness descends
a muffled indigo horizon is backlit by
smoldering suggestion of moonbeams.
Far below the sprawling city is frothy,
gradually growing, a peppered pink glow."

[barleygirl]

The ultimate compliment is when a reviewer quotes something that I kinda loved myself! *wink! wink!* I've written about these gatherings before, but I never captured the allure of the twinkling city far below. Thanks for stopping by (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

You surely did. You are welcome dear Margie.

[alanwgraham]

What a lovely rhyming portrayal of your time spent under the open sky Margie. Sleeping under the night sky is a great day to reconnect and recharge. Some of your refs are a bit tough for me but your love for your place shines through.
I've just been watching the film of Woodstock. So much hope for something better and look where we are now!
Chefers.
alan

[barleygirl]

It tugs at my heart when friends complain about my colloquial word choices, a complaint I get often in a global community! But being a country hick is a big part of my identity, so I just have to apologize & stick to my ways! Thanks for slogging thru! I must say that you do a great job of interpreting your own cultural writing in a way that's easy for everyone to understand! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

It is good to talk about these things Margie. You did help me when I started here to consider my colloquial Scots usage. Sometimes you need to just be true to your own identity. Using your local lingo can bring a richness and authenticity to your writing and your poems would be a pale shadow without it.
Lang may your lum reek!
Alan

[Scarlet]

This is just so beautiful. I love how you use your vocabulary. It's amazing.

[barleygirl]

I love looking thru many word possibilities as I edit my poems, so your compliment really hits my heart in a great way! (((HUGS))) fondly, Margie