I
born blue?
water babies
hesitant to exchange 
cry in the gasping air a while
then laugh

II
then laugh
merry bellied
like painters in cobalt
drenching skies once barely coated
lapis

III
lapis
entombed heaven
when angels dropped to earth
now men retrieve these holy spoils
with glee

IV
with glee
then why cry blues?
through indigo we slip
to black but seeing midnight stars
sing low

V
sing low
the dead poet
his mother tongue of odes
mystery bathed and surely once
born blue

40 thoughts on “Five answers to Neruda”

1. I love how you gave the answers,,, your way of writing the various aspects made me think of those 13 ways of looking at a blackbird

   1. YES! that is what I first thought of but knew an attempt at Steven’s responses was too big a leap of imagination for me – especially as am feeling very stuck with the Muse perhaps because I’m currently doing a lot of gardening tasks!

2. Laura, this is just perfect!! More than one read-worthy!!!

   1. many thanks Helen – that’s encouraging as am not sure about cinquains

3. I agree with both Björn and Helen–it did remind me a bit of 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, and it is worthy of reading over a few times. I love the questioning. Also, I have to say I love the word lapis.

   1. many thanks Merril and yes – especially when linked to lazuli 😉

      1. You’re welcome!😀

4. All those blues – I like the way this poem circles round. I thought the crown was beyond me, but seeing it work so well here makes me wonder?

   1. this nearly was beyond me Sarah so I thank you for your appreciation

5. I never thought I’d thank someone for giving me the blues, but you’ve done it so beautifully here, Laura, I can only bow before thee. Salute. And thanks for the cool prompt!

   1. I do relish the blues Ron – being naturally a bit of a melancholic but also the hues are sumptuous. Thank you for your generous comment and for appreciating the prompt

6. 5 stanzas of blue, interesting.

   Much💛love

   1. so many hues to choose!

7. The pertinence and classicism of this verse reminds me of what I read, …which civilisation was it …I cannot remember, but will check, simply did not have a word for the colour blue, and as such failed to see it…

   1. I think I know but cannot name but reminds me too how the Inuit have all those words for snow yet I can barely discern any differences!

8. Beautiful Laura! Classically rich imagery that knits together seamlessly. Great breadth of scale in this piece, from a bathed birth to the heavens above. So well written my friend!

   1. lovely comment Rob and many thanks for that

9. Oh my, I don’t know how to respond, apart from this is completely complete!

   1. speechless with thanks Carol

10. Had to repeat it again and again. the answers are clever and creative. the flow is as smooth as sax in a jazz song.

    1. I especially like the jazz reference – thank you

       1. a pleasure, Laura.

11. Ah, Laura, the birth of blue perfectly rounded up! Thank you for this!
    …welcome back! 😘

    1. hi Marina – the artist knows the blues by heart!
       p.s. am almost back in the blogging world – toe-dipping till next week!

       1. A ha ha… indeed, by …❤! 😉
          Enjoy!!!! 🌸💗

12. Each stanza a gem. Wonderful! (K)

    1. thank you K ❤

13. I love this! Neruda is my favorite poet, and this was a worthy response.

    1. thank you – Neruda is my goto inspiration when the Muse refuses to co-operate!

14. Five shades of blues so perfectly crafted! How can I not love it since my favourite colour is blue.

    1. mine too – thank you – though its hard to choose from the spectrum!

       1. You are so welcome. I do agree about choosing a favourite shade.

15. Stunning hues of blues in your cinquain chain! Thanks, Laura, for interesting challenge…you set the bar high with this one.

    1. I only just high jumped this bar Lynn being a cinquain novice so thank you

       1. You have a wonderful way with words, Laura 😊

          1. am blushing Lynn – what a kind thing to say ❤

16. I so enjoyed the myriad of blues that rippled throughout this poem, Laura. You also used the prompt word “cobalt” for yesterday’s ragtag prompt, I see (though it seems in advance!). Thank you for introducing me to this form 🙂

    1. many thanks Sunra – cobalt is one of my favourite blues so it was sheer coincidence as I don’t do the ragtag prompts

17. Had to read this several times, Laura. Love the questions and answers, and the wonderful shades of blue.

    1. thank you for your lovely comment

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