Photography by Kristine Wayman
a life noir of flickered shadows
wandered nightmares of dead forests
palette drained by traitor rainbows
wandered nightmares of dead forests
where once green danced, where fancies played
moan in still, stale airless chorus
where once green danced, where fancies played
hungry sunlight blushed tender flesh
naivete hacked with crime’s blade
hungry sunlight blushed tender flesh
bright prince, sprung foul beast in disguise
crumpled bloom, unprized wretch
dark prince, sprung foul beast, undisguised
late summer berries, seasoned womb
mums, asters, warm nights, mute cries
midnight visit, bloody bedclothes
crushed berries, a tiny tomb
a life noir now flickered shadows
palette drained by traitor rainbows
Today’s offering is in the pantanelle form, which was created by Ingrid Wilson.
Carrie is the host of The Sunday Muse.
Tao Talk 
Dead forests are nightmares indeed! I love this Pantenelle form. I had never heard of it before. A powerful poem with intense imagery, and the repetition really magnifies the mood. So glad you joined in Lisa!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Carrie. Thank you for offering such evocative images to write to.
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Sounds all pretty dark and frightening, especially when you look at the bright red axe blade!
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Christian, I know what you mean!
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We have so many burned out forest lands here on “my” high desert, it breaks my heart. This line in your beautifully composed poem brought tears to my eyes … “where once green danced, where fancies played” ~~
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Helen, that has got to be difficult to face. I feel sorrow just imagining looking out over it. My condolences.
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Like a fairy tale–the real ones, not the Disney versions. (K)
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😦 the ax is such a potent symbol in fairy tales
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I never thought about it before, but it is.
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I love “where once green danced” so much! The later stanzas describe a heartbreaking scene. So well done.
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Thanks much, Sherry. It is heartbreaking.
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Such an evocative poem Li.
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Thanks much, Sadje.
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You’re welcome
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That is pretty dark and frightening… I like it! The picture also with the blood red blade standing out.
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Max, I know you’ve been waiting for a dark and frightening story. This one is bad, but it isn’t it 😉
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I hope you take this as a compliment…it has an Edgar Allan Poe feel to it….and that is great to me.
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🙂 ❤ I do take it as a compliment. Thank you, Max.
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What a soul-searching piece! I love it so much!
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Thank you and glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re most welcome.
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Fine poem, Lili. I’ll look into the form as I like to experiment.
“a life noir of flickered shadows” in your beginning and the ending with nothing but bad or worse inbetween . I would call this a ‘dark poem. ‘
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Jim, thank you. I couldn’t agree more. The image sets the tone for me.
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Gorgeous–the images were an unsettling mix of inviting and worrying. It felt like the translation of a picture book, all the color and movement clinging to the words.
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Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I am liking what you are seeing.
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Ooh, very evocative, Lisa. I hope that’s not a glimpse of the future to come. Green always seeks to grow regardless though, doesn’t it? Except maybe after a forest fire. You’ve given me food for thought this Sunday 🙂
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Sunra, it is a blessing that green always seeks to grow. Let’s hope she finds her place in the sun again… Thank you for your thoughtful comment ❤
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You’re welcome, Lisa 💖
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Dark and haunting piece of poetry but, I take comfort in knowing the green will grow again somewhere, somehow, it will survive.
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Thank you for reading and your comment, Truedessa.
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“traitor rainbows” – that’s great! I love the form, creates so many interesting interactions across lines.
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Thank you, Q. I told Ingrid she had a winner with her form.
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Your poem pulled me in….
hungry sunlight…
So many powerful images.
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Thanks much, Syl. Glad you connected with it.
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awesome! I loved your poem! I hadnt heard of that poetry form! ❤
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Carol Anne, thank you. It’s a fairly new form.
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A fascinating form–the repetition is very effective, and I love how vividly your images stand out in those short, impactful bursts of phrase. I think my favorite is the opener, and next “…where once green danced, where fancies played..” Not a pleasant forest to wander in, but beautifully drawn.
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Joy, thank you for the wonderful feedback and the kind words.
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