After The Eclipse

one from the archives

As shadows fall on attic walls

when sleep has lost all sense of time,

a view of moody ink blue sky

through angled plate glass where I lie,

alert though restless in my room.

At speed, cloud islands hurtle by,

a trail that splits the night in half.

Between their smoke-like dark grey veils,

see spangled sight of seven stars,

a plough suspended from afar.

Polaris winks as if to say

we are at rest, you've had the best.

Sun, moon and earth aligned and gave,

a diamond ring, a fine display.

A clever moon eclipsed the sun,

deserted him to then move on.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Chris, your style of lyrically beautiful and graceful verse always puts me in mind of the work of Emily Dickinson. This eloquent, celestial observation in first person proves my point. Brilliant rhyme, cadence, personification, alliteration, metaphor...Your second verse leaves me in awe.... ahhhh one hundred perfect ”spangled sight of seven stars” for this master class poem! Kudos my gifted friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Annette I am so happy you liked this one. You are so very generous with your praise. I thank you.read moreAnnette I am so happy you liked this one. You are so very generous with your praise. I thank you.

Chris

[Christoph]

The most important thing is that I'm transported into your space and frame of mind, and I absolutely am. You paint a pretty picture.

By the end, though, I was a little confused. The second stanza makes it clear that this is night time, while the third disagrees and says we're in the totality of an eclipse. I feel like that's either a mistake or I'm just missing something.

I'm also not sure if there's a metaphor behind the moon "deserting" the sun, but choosing that word asks me to look for one, and I can't find anything.

Really well done, so I don't want to nitpick it, but I'm really not sure if those things were intentional or not.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your visit and your thoughts, truly appreciated. I was restless at night, looking at the sky which had some incredible movement, it was beautiful, but only a fraction compared to the full eclipse I had witnessed much earlier. There I witnessed the moment when the moon had virtually eclipsed the whole of the sun, just leaving a diamond of blazing light at the tip of it. That's what is known as a diamond ring when talking in terms of an eclipse.

The sun gave the moon a diamond ring, but the moon deserted him and moved on. Hope that helps you to understand my thinking.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

People have been transfixed by the heavens for as long as humans have trod the earth. Here the poet reflects on the aftermath of a lunar eclipse. The images of the clouds and star formations paint a lovely picture of the night sky. The last verse tells us what has preceded the scene, the unusual sight of the moon's shadow hiding the sun. Really, how can we complain when nature provides us with such sights for free?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. Nature and what she gifts us is a true blessing. Sadly not everyone appreciates that. Your thoughts so much appreciated.

Chris

[Relic]

I remember seeing the stars out at night from my room window in much the same way. These days I'm lucky to see one. I still see the full moon though as it shines bright through the clouds. I always want to stare a long time before it steps away behind one of those islands. You've set the mood well in this Chris, and brought back some memories outside my window. We no longer see diamond rings...more like grey paint. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tim. A diamond ring is rare is comes only with a total eclipse but it is a wonderful sight. There are many other gems to capture in the night sky, if not dimmed by pollution. Pleased you appreciate nature's gifts.

Chris.

[DAH]

Like a painting, a very vivid canvas filled with
such fine mystical imagery.

"Sun, moon and earth aligned and gave,
a diamond ring, a fine display"

Love this!

Bravo, Christine!

DAH

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks DAH for your very generous response. Your visit much appreciated and welcomed.
read moreMany thanks DAH for your very generous response. Your visit much appreciated and welcomed.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

Loud applause for this more than amazing tribute to happenings skyward after eclipse....... a wonderfully expressive read oozing with eloquent metaphor Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Your very generous praise is much appreciated Fay. Thank you so much for your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[augustus]

Next time I look at the sky I'll think of you

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Augustus. I hope it's a nice day and not stormy :) Appreciate your thoughts. Most welcome.

Chris

[Chris]

I paused with YOU this late night eve...
was nice.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for that pause Chris. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Thank you so much.

Chris

[silentwriter180]

I love this. It's beautiful.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your visit silent writer 180. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

The rhythm and flow of your words in this one is spectacular, Chris. So lyrical! When one can not sleep, star gazing is a great pastime! Such lovely imagery here. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Nothing like gazing at the night sky when you can't sleep. Your review is spectacular too and I thank you Lydi**. Always so generous.

Chris

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

I felt thrilled by this poetic piece of writing.
If you are an astronomer, I would say, no interview is needed for you to join NASA. Your description show how observant you are. I like astronomy and everything it entails.
Your lines are really well constructed and it's really enjoyable.

Skillfully penned, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Kay, I am a science dud, but I do like observation :) Thank you for the smile you gave me and your visit.

Chris