Ask no questions of the moth in the candle flame
–Attar
A lowly larvae at the start,
she crawls and eats from forest floor.
Machinic munching, Darwin’s art,
yet lonely larvae’s yearning starts.
An ache that niggles in her heart,
she weaves a pod — she senses more.
Transformed, no longer bound to earth
Consuming need, to heaven soars.
She pirouettes in heat’s delight
Confusing candle for the moon
Oblivious, wings’ dust ignites
She dips in dying spiraled swoon.
“Hush, child,” sings Luna’s silver light.
“Rest now, be still, rise to me soon.”
Antennae twitch as dreams take flight
Wrapped safe in kindness’ warm cocoon.
This one is a double modified triolet using one of Laura’s wonderful, mystical prompt lines.
Image: “Like a Moth to a Flame,” by Daniel Eskridge
Bjorn is today’s host for dVerse‘ Open Link Night.
Tao Talk 
Love this story … flying too high is better done dreaming than for real…
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Kindness beats heat hands down. Thank you, Bjorn. Hoping I didn’t sound too horrible reading. My throat got tight. Maybe next time will practice ahead of time and not think about all of those ears listening.
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Quite a beautiful, captivating poem. It was wonderful to hear you read it!
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Thank you very much, Lucy. Wish I could have heard you read yours. Maybe next time!
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The moth gets to that moon one way or another.
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Yes!
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Love this! It was wonderful to hear you read this aloud at the LIVE event, Lisa :)
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Sanaa thank you very much. It worked much better for quality with just the sound.
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I could hear you again as I read & re-enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for sharing, Lisa.
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Ron, thank you very much. It was fun hearing your recite your tongue-twisting poem today.
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Another poetic form that weaves a circle. The final stanza is like a lullaby. (K)
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:)
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Another beautiful poem Li.
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Thank you, my friend.
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You’re welcome 😉
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Lovely poetic form! Such a reassuring message: even through misadventure and adversity we may reach our mystic goal. Thanks for this, I really like it.
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:) Thank you.
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This is a wonderful story, giving loving detail to such a short life.
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Thank you, Ken.
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3 thoughts:
1) WOW!
2) I love the word ‘niggle’ :-D
3) This was, for me, surprisingly positive at the end! My moth is definitely jealous of your moth!
Yours,
David
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Laughing at your enumerated list. I like the idea of the moth surviving its dance with death. I like your wicking moth that burns so bright.
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Lovely, Li. Poetry should be read out loud! I’ll have to see if I can catch the live readings.
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Thank you! My reading is not good (need more practice) but there are some excellent readings by others this week. Chris, this should take you to the dVerse channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnHL41yjLUnOwdUlcy5VUWg
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Thanks so much for the link, Li. That was awesome! What a fantastic idea; I shall follow with interest.
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My pleasure, Chris!
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What a beautiful craft. Loved the story.
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Thank you very much, Smita.
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The moth and the candle flame, so old and mysterious. Like the moon, same vein. I like how you wrap them all together in mystery.
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It has all of the makings of a Hallmark special ;)
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It does :)
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I’m so glad we got to hear you reading this poem at OLN Live, Lisa! No longer a silent circle on the screen. This is a magical story of an ephemeral creature. I love the thought of that transformation, ‘no longer bound to earth / Consuming need, to heaven soars’, but how sad the ending, even though we know that’s what happens.
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Yes, finally, after several tries, it felt good but a little nerve-wracking to be able to read. It can only get better, right? I didn’t intend this to be a sad ending, more a new beginning. She’s fine, in her cocoon of kindness now.
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This reads like a lullaby for the moth drawn to the light. It was wonderful to hear you read, Lisa. I’m glad she found a peaceful place to rest.
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Ingrid, thanks, yes, she did :)
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I feel compassion in this lovely poem. We can judge, or we can recognize that the quest fro what draws or desires us may consume us. Was it better to stay the machine on the forest floor? this is kind Lisa
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I’m glad you see what I was trying to say, Lona. Thank you.
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This is lovely, and I so enjoyed hearing you read it. I like narrative of this–the moth drawn to the flame, and the moon’s tender message.
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Thank you very much, Merril. Slow to adjusting to new things, maybe more reading will improve it over time. Glad you enjoyed the narrative :)
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You’re welcome, and I did. 😀
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I chose that quote too, but got enmeshed in metaphysical meanderings. I like it you stuck to the moth metaphor. My goodness, “a double-modified troilet.”
I can hardly say it, and couldn’t do it; kudos.
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:) Thank you, Glenn.
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Transformed, no longer bound to earth
Consuming need, to heaven soars.
Success is achieved when properly nurtured as possibilities are endless! Wise words Jade!
Hank
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Many thanks, Hank.
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The ending is nicely done, “Antennae twitch as dreams take flight, Wrapped safe in kindness’ warm cocoon.” That’s how I would want to go if I were a moth! I think the Moon’s loving words do pair well with Attar’s quote to “ask no questions” there is no judgement for mistakes, only love here. Sorry I missed the live readings, it was fun hearing your voice, I love to hear the accents from all over. I will try to be on the next one! ✨
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Thanks for the wonderful feedback and really hope to hear you read at the next live event.
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Such an inspiration. Love the niggles and antennae twitch.
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Thanks, Colleen!
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