Going my own runaway way
blindsided, both ears stoppered 
like that pilgrim fleeing for life
eternal life. Yet the Celestial city
far too far away, far fetched, fabled
only the castle of Doubt, secure
as stone, impregnable. *

But sanctuary is solitary
even dry dust assembles 
to migrate in beams of light

Star maps panned the Autumn skies
and in late adolescent dusk
a silent, sensile S.O.S. 
I saw the sisters Pleiades arise
incandescent, clustered, dot-dot
dashing off their beacon call.
And feeling faith, after all, something 
like an uplift, as a falling leaf 
before it finds the ground

23 thoughts on “Semaphore”

1. Oh I love the last stanza and the way you look at stars… and adolescent dusk what a way to express it.

   1. One of those unforgettable moments of youth – thank you

2. Language can be a tricky tool. Sometimes I look, wonder if I am well seeing the whole of it, like your crafted poem here. Phrases yes, but the greater whole, I’m unsure. (not that such has ever been said of mine!) But I observe the crafted words,

   “And feeling faith, after all, something
   like an uplift, as a falling leaf
   before it finds the ground”

   So many currents and eddies just in these eighteen words. Beautiful.
   Revelation in such a fleeting moment.

   1. I appreciate all your words Neil and especially that final understanding of this revelation

3. Laura, the middle 3 lines wrung tears from my eyes and I see them anchoring what came before and after. As we flounder through it all, we do find those things that keep us carrying on don’t we. I love your poem for its composition and its encouragement ❤

   1. Your prompt touched a distant but profound memory – that first sight of the Pleiades coming at that youthful moment like a bolt from the blue – thank you too for such encouraging feedback

      1. I’m happy it brought the memory back to you, and you are more than welcome ❤

4. p.s. great title also!

   1. Could not resist the signals in the sign!

5. Semaphore is something we learned at girl guides, Laura, and something I had forgotten, as it’s not used much these days. I love the tercet: the sibilant ‘sanctuary is solitary’ and the image of dry dust assembling ‘to migrate in beams of light’; and the star maps panning the Autumn skies that lead to the sisters Pleiades ‘incandescent, clustered, dot-dot / dashing off their beacon call’. Stellar writing!

   1. Many thanks Kim for appreciating so much!

      1. My pleasure, Laura!

6. Oh, your words have and impact. Soft, yet it feels like they are chiseled from marble at times. Extraoridnary writing.

   1. Your comment is so poetic and uplifting – many thanks Miriam

7. Star maps are a good guide. I love the image you have created of the star sisters signaling you back in your need. (K)

   1. I guess that is why we look to the Heavens at such times

      1. I know I do. It puts things in perspective.

8. Exquisite poetry. I love that last stanza such wonderful imagery. 🙂

   1. many thanks for your kind words

9. And feeling faith, after all, something
   like an uplift, as a falling leaf
   before it finds the ground

   This is SO good, Laura. Thank you for sharing.

   ❤
   David

   1. appreciate your emphasis very much David

10. Nice one Laura

    Much🖤love

    1. thank you Gillena – I wonder if you have seen comments on dVerse as some of us have tried in vain to comment on your blog without a Google signin

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