PoetryPix
depictions by the rule of thirds; descriptions mostly freestyle words
The sundial
a sundial tells the hours in shadows
slow-winged in flight
as of some exotic butterfly
mercurial, mathematical
moving time onward yet motionless
set in stony stillness on a dayglo lawn
where primulas hold hot candled colours
like an oriental sunrise
of my brief imaginings
Celebrating the 8th anniversary of the dverse poets pub with Grace’s quadrille which is just 44 words about Sun
29 Comments on “The sundial”
Conversations
 | Heyjude on A photo a week challenge: Sun… |
 | Laura Bloomsbury on Candid canine |
| Laura Bloomsbury on Candid canine |
 | unexpectedincommonho… on Candid canine |
 | pattimoed on Candid canine |
Poetry in Print
I love the mmm sounds in this. So many beautiful images in this quadrille.
LikeLike
thank you – the sun brought some colour to my Muse for a change
LikeLike
There is a loveliness about sundials, taking us back in time to when life was more serene. Your poem reflects this feeling well.
LikeLike
thank you – I slowed time!
LikeLike
Sun and sundial anchor each other while the world plays. I like how you used color to represent your imaginings.
LikeLike
I have yet to see an oriental sunset so needs must imagine
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the link between sundial and shadows.
LikeLike
yes it is the shadow which tells the time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such beautiful words and image. A wonderful quadrille Laura. I love sundials.
LikeLike
me too – I think my love came up with the flowers
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the oriental sunrise of the primulas! Great write.
LikeLike
and this variety is called just that – thank you Beverly
LikeLike
A sundial is a perfect choice for the prompt, and you make the most of it. Shadows telling time is a terrific image; silent, stalwart, until clouds cover the sun.
LikeLike
ah yes and then we are lost for time – many thanks Glenn
LikeLike
I love the description of the sundial like some exotic butterfly. Such a lovely time to behold an oriental sunrise.
Thanks for being part of the dverse team and community Laura.
LikeLike
as you watch the shadows of time move, the butterfly wings of gnomon and its shadow open and close – it makes for such a good metaphor too! Many thanks for the prompt and for including me in the Poetics community
LikeLike
set in stony stillness on a dayglo lawn
This is a great line!
LikeLike
glad you liked it Roth 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sundials are wonderful, Laura, and I’ve longed for an unusual one in our garden for a long time. I love that they ‘tell the hours in shadows / slow-winged in flight’ – if only our lives were slowed back down to that pace again. I also love the image of the ‘mercurial, mathematical butterfly’.
LikeLike
I’ve often thought of making time to make one Kim! The gnomon is mercurial in its metallic element and its flight – thank you Kim – was happy with that line
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely images in this.
LikeLike
thank you ❤
LikeLike
I bet oriental sunrises are petunias and Californian poppies. The stone sundial is a Pasha waiting for the air to cool.
LikeLike
a nice combo but recently discovered Primula japonicas -Oriental sunrise – at RHS gardens at Harlow Carr
LikeLike
I love primulas whereas I’m not sure I wouldn’t find an oriental sunrise hopelessly garish, like a photoshopped municipal flower display.
LikeLike
oh no its a bobby dazzler in a cool and damp dappled sunspot
LikeLike
Sounds exactly like what would die the death here ‘sigh’.
LikeLike
Your use of language in this works wonderfully. ‘mercurial, mathematical’ ‘hot coloured candles’, the imagery just dripped richness.
LikeLike
lovely comment Carol – thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person