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.
There's nothing wrong with me a little ice cream won't fix. 