Ballad of the Unsaid
Once more to shore by rotted oar
The prow beached at that knotted coast.
The threshold of an unseen door.
And drifting like an unclean ghost.
White crested waves with frenzied force
Dashed on the jagged envied cliffs.
Their passion spent without remorse.
No aching heart could doubt their kiss.
Each swell pulls with receding heave,
As if to grasp and pleading say
"Stay-stay, stay-stay, do not tempt grief,
That lies along the unkempt way".
Deaf to reason and heeding not.
Proceeding, needing, speeding on.
A mansion formed from dreams forgot
A place that seems that screams belong.
The only haunting howls therein,
Comes not from some dark, prowling beast.
Unconscious craving under skin
From fragment hopes and wonder pieced.
And languid on a thorny throne,
The Sluagh prince in tawny cloak.
With Midnight eyes in hollow bone,
And frame dissolving as though smoke.
He points. The bloom converts from weeds,
So bright the light, it hurts to see.
Clutched by the glove-clad zealous needs
And wrapped in love-mad jealousy.
Thus sitting hunched with cradled light,
And lost within that fabled sleep.
To only fear the ending night,
And fiercer loss impending deep.
Such happiness feels undeserved,
A devotee that kneels in awe
Affection given unreserved.
A wish to live in, wanting more.
@BastionKnight wow! That gave me chills. Although it's about life, and not giving up, It feels it could be also a horror poem. It reminds me of the same darkness 'the raven' from dickens poem had. You are so very talented ❤❤❤ 👏👏
@Tinywhisper11
You always say the sweetest, most generous things Tinywhisper. I appreciate it very much, and am humbled by the reference you made. I am absolutely delighted that what I wrote gave you chills, and am tickled pink by the horror comparison.
From reading many of your own posts, I have come to the conclusion you are quite the wit and raconteur yourself, so your praise holds significant weight to me.
Thank you for taking time to write a message. *Bows in gratitude*
@BastionKnight aww your a little charmer ❤😁❤ you should write your poems in a book, you are truly talented ❤
@BastionKnight rolls in ♿♿ embarrased look on my face..... The raven by edgar Allan Poe. I don't know why I thought it was Charles dickens. Don't judge me I get confused😂😂😂😂 rolls out ♿♿ still embarrassed
@Tinywhisper11
It is totally fine, I knew the poem you meant. I am sure you were just testing to see if I picked up on it, or perhaps were gently nudging me towards the author i should be reading from next. I can see now there was secret method to your words *smiles*
@BastionKnight 😂😂😂😂 thankyou for being so kind😂😂 😂😂😂
@BastionKnight
Once again, you've crafted a masterpiece, much like a chivalrous knight weaving a tale of both triumph and heartache. Your poem, as always, is a powerful exploration of longing, loss, and the haunting pull of desires that can never be fully grasped. The use of the Sluagh, from Irish? Scottish folklore? - brings an eerie, supernatural edge to the narrative.
What I find especially striking is the symbolism throughout—where the ocean's wild waves seem to mirror the turbulence of the heart, and the Sluagh prince becomes a symbol of both destruction and creation. The idea of a "mansion formed from dreams forgot" is a poignant reflection on how our deepest aspirations can be lost, even as we continue to chase them.
The final stanza — on the insatiable desire for more, despite knowing we might never be worthy enough. It’s a universal human dilemma, beautifully laid bare: our longing is endless, and even in the face of loss, we continue to crave. I think the poem can also be interpreted as a reflection on the journey of the soul after death, possibly exploring themes of the afterlife and final judgment. The Sluagh prince, with his eerie presence, could symbolize an otherworldly force—perhaps representing judgment or the spirit of fate—that guides or awaits the soul after life. The repeated yearning for "more" may point to the soul's final, restless longing for redemption or peace before facing its fate. The haunting tone evokes the sense of inevitable judgment and the tension between the desire for fulfillment and the reality of the end. What a brilliant exploration of human nature! ( I tried to make a short comment, but it is a truth universally acknowledged that I end up writing essays in reply to your poems. Keep up with the amazing work!)
@azurePond
You do me too great an honour. As ever your analysis is insightful, perceptive and perspicuous. I am very pleased you appreciated the part of the Sluagh, and I am always so pleased to read your thoughts towards what I have written. I pour so much into them that It leaves me hesitant and anxious to see them let them out into view. Thus having someone so erudite compliment my poem is a boon that I do not take lightly, and appreciate gratefully. It instils a great sense of pride.
Speaking of pride, I was amused and happy at your Pride and Prejudice reference. Each essay I look forward to with relish. I tip my hat respectfully to my fellow peer and poet.
@BastionKnight
You are far too generous with your praise, and I am deeply grateful for your kind words. It’s always a privilege to read your work, and I also share your sense of pride in our creative exchanges. I’m delighted that my Pride and Prejudice reference brought you some amusement. I raise my hat in return, my esteemed peer and poet.
@BastionKnight
Wow! 😯
Your poem is a haunting masterpiece that beautifully captures the tension between yearning and loss. It gives me melancholic feeling when reading it. The vivid imagery and emotional depth resonate deeply, transporting us into an otherworldly journey. Kudos!
@ZenArashi
Thank you so much for your kind words ZenArashi, they are really appreciated. It is so encouraging to hear someone say that a poem has moved them enough to engender an emotional reaction. That has made my day, so I humbly thank you.
