Suzanne Brace is the Poet of the Week for the W3 Prompt #100. Suzanne invites us to go on an introspective free verse journey on the theme of Stranger .
To read Suzanne’s full prompt guidelines, please click here.
Suzanne’s prompt guidelines
- Theme: Last week many of us were strangers to Wagner, so this week’s theme is ‘Stranger’;
- Form: Please take us on an introspective free verse journey;
- This website offers an outline for this form: https://allpoetry.com/
- An introspective poem delves into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the complexities of thought, emotion, and experience. It unveils the innermost recesses of the mind, shedding light on the hidden scars and desires that reside within. Through intricate language and evocative imagery, the poem unravels the tapestry of introspection, capturing the essence of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the search for meaning in the labyrinth of the human heart.
The Misty Realm is the second poem I’ve written in response to this prompt! You can read my first poem Introspection here.
The Misty Realm
My innermost thoughts are butterflies that capture starlight on their wings,
They flutter in the misty realm where a woodland nightingale sings,
Pools of glinting mirrors glow,
with shadowed secrets deep,
Where yet unborn genius waits to know,
What schemes it plans in sleep.
Rare orchids open
and reach toward the light,
a sign of hope in
mystery’s chance,
in the megalith of ancient night,
Sweet flowers aloft with mighty kings,
Their purple scent in fragrance flight,
Where butterflies dance with starlight wings.
When, the night is dark as anthracite,
The nightingale repeats its song,
A melodic call to arms.
To serenade, erelong,
the hidden dreams of men.
Then,
In the misty realm
of wondrous things,
Wherein,
the moonshine brings
the coming of the dawn.
The woodland bade farewell
to dark strangers of the night,
In the brightness of the morn,
The trees stretch their boughs,
And leaves rustled in their yawn.
A forest fawn stirs in the glade
of early morning dew,
Beneath the shade of lichened firs,
A newborn inmost thought occurs.
And all begins anew.
~
Lesley Scoble, March 2024
…where a woodland nightingale sings
An interesting fact is that it is only the male nightingale that sings. 🎶
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thank you, Suzanne for your introspective prompt. This is the first time for me to write two poems for one prompt!
Thank you, David, The Skeptics Kaddish, for hosting your weekly W3 Prompts.
Image credits
I created the feature image in Copilot. The ink drawing of the nightingale is by me.
Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.
LesleyScoble.com 
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