Night Whispers by Michelle H. Barnes

The poem I am going to share with you today was written by Michelle H. Barnes, a member of my local SCBWI group in Gainesville. The poem is a tribute to our friend, Jan Gars, the poet veterinarian, who passed away recently.

Michelle often posted Jan’s poems on her blog and she understands his psyche and his style. Jan’s poems were often hilarious, sometimes deeply touching, and not always written for children. He could have us laughing uncontrollably or stunned into silence. It is with sorrow that I say, “Goodbye,” to Jan.

The poem, “Night Whispers,” is written in (almost perfect) Pantoum Form.  The pantoum is a form of poetry that uses repetition of lines to enforce its message and produce a powerful effect.

NIGHT WHISPERS

Michelle H. Barnes

Whispers from the shadowed night

Lonely winds of time and space

One more poem yet to write

Trapped in gravity’s embrace

Lonely winds of time and space

Glowing embers, pulsing light

Trapped in gravity’s embrace

Before the blackness turns to white

Glowing embers, pulsing light

Like eyes behind a clouded face

Before the blackness turns to white

Before you find your resting place

Like eyes behind a clouded face

There’s one more poem yet to write

Before you find your resting place

And whisper from the shadowed night.

*****

Visit Michelle’s blog, Michelle Heidenrich Barnes:

http://www.michellehbarnes.com/Home_Page.html

On the blog you will learn more about the pantoum and why Michelle chose this form in which to write her poem. And this will lead you to another writer’s blog—another you will be glad you found.