AN ENTERTAINING SUMMER – DAY #10: ‘TIS MOONLIGHT, SUMMER MOONLIGHT
Today we are prompted by poetry! And our selection is “Moonlight, Summer Moonlight” by Emily Jane Bronte.
“Moonlight, Summer Moonlight” — Emily Jane Bronte
All soft and still and fair;
The solemn hour of midnight
Breathes sweet thoughts everywhere,
Their breezy boughs on high,
Or stooping low are lending
A shelter from the sky.
And there in those wild bowers
A lovely form is laid;
Green grass and dew-steeped flowers
Wave gently round her head.
The moon has long been an inspiration for poets through the ages, and a summer moon seems to make things happen in a mystical, magical way. Be enflamed by the lunar brilliance a summer night presents. You can write a phase (or phases) of the moon. A blood moon, a harvest moon. If the moon can drive the tides, it sure can stir your poetic fire.
IN THE GLINT OF SUMMER MOONLIGHT
Placid. Silent. Serene.
In the glint of summer moonlight,
you reverberate in my heart.
I had returned, as promised,
to this place we held dear. Right here.
Where the stars are so clear,
and the shadows cast on this stretch of sand,
point to a section of beach. Our oasis.
The call of the sea birds becomes
a soundtrack of sorts. And the crash of
Erie against the shore, stands as the only view
for my sad and longing heart..
Shards of moonlight dance, as scattered
as broken glass, across the water’s murkiness,
and in the glint of summer moonlight I remember.
Breathless and nervous, we were.
Loving and passionate, we were.
And so in love. We were
where we were meant to be.
The heat of that moment warmed
the sand beneath my feet and
you filled my heart as you did then.
In the glint of summer moonlight I felt
the warmth of your smile
and the sparkle your eyes left behind,
lit this evening sky. And I fell in love again.
In the glint of summer moonlight.
(C) Walter J. Wojtanik – 2016
Wow. This piece moves me almost physically. Masterful stuff.
You flatter me, Bill, Thanks for that!
“In the glint of summer moonlight I felt the warmth of your smile and the sparkle your eyes left behind”
If there were no other words, these would be enough to fill this romantic heart. ❤
I know, I had you at “glint”! Thanks Marie!
a masterwork…of construction, of mood, of heart
That’s me Daniel, always under construction! 😉 And I appreciate your comments so much!
This is so bittersweet, the weight of loss and regret seems to come with each crested wave…
Such is life; it ebbs and flows, Bjorn! Thanks.
So bittersweet and wistful this is. Lovely phrasing here. So purely romantic.
That makes me smile, Toni. Thanks.
For me…your opening line stands out. I really love the intriguing effect of the three short sentences in the opening line. Powerful poem altogether, Walt.
Like three rapid-fire shots across your consciousness to get your attention. And then the poem! Thanks Hannah.
This poem made my heart jump. The tenderness of it makes me weep. Stunning, CH
Didn’t mean to make you cry, CH2. But, I told ch m heart and write how I feel. Thanks for that extreme compliment.
Gosh Walt, this is so delicate and beautiful – breathless and nervous we were, loving and passionate we were – I know this, I know this.
Summer and the Moon
There are no seasons on the moon. No
summers by the Sea of Tranquility–
blue and sunny yellow rectangles,
inflated with human breath, red
sea monsters, boardwalks, smells
of hot dogs and sweat salt. No
evenings. Moths contending for the porch light, or bats
to dip across the face of the blue Earth.
I think this is skillful work; negation makes the images more vivid.
Oh Barbara … oh to get inside your brain and shake hands with your muse …
Or thumb wrestle with it!
LOL! Yep, or that! 😀
Silly Rabbit! You guys are my muses this month.
Are you saying I’m a muse, or that I amuse you? You think I’m a clown? 😉
Clowns have an honorable tradition. Very spiritual beings. In addition to inspiring one to avoid children’s parties.
I so look forward to your work, with its originality and cuiousness
Was there a formatting to this wonderful piece of poetics? I can effect that from this end if you wish!
If you could indent lines 2-6, I’d appreciate it. And there is supposed to be a space between lines 6 and 7.
Thanks for offering. 🙂
Done!
I do like this contrast… the moon is such a barren place compared to watch it here below… wonderful
The thoughts of seeing bats fluttering across the surface of the moon – that is a strong image and adds weight to this poem of negation. Wonderful!
Your poetry ALWAYS speaks to me, B.
Your work is always both potent and brilliant. I love this.
We both went for the Sea of Tranquility 🙂 I love how we used the same reference, but wrote so differently. Lovely work. Spare – like the moon.
Moonlight’s Music in the Mountains
The moon painted the sky a hazy blue
The cardboard cutout mountains
on the horizon lent mystery
Setting a romantic, magical mood
Making its own harmony and melody
Music heard in hearts of lovers
This lovely piece reminds me of an old song, It’s Only a Paper Moon.
Oh yes! “cardboard cutout mountains” love this!
oh yes, hearts can indeed hear…sweet
what a lovely serenade… indeed the mountain can look like artificial silhouettes — great observation.
It reminded me as well of Paper Moon. You had me at the first line. Love this.
For me, this captures the surrealism of the majesty of nature…you really capture the contrast, Connie, beautifully.
This made me think of Paper Moon, also! There is always music in the hearts of lovers.
Magic in your music, Connie. Well done.
SAIL ON SUMMER MOON
Sail on, sail on summer moon
low in the sky,
you ain’t never been so low
as you are now in these here months of June and July.
Slow time brings a golden glow
as on you roll,
so sail on, sail on summer moon
for me and my soul.
Apologies to Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, Shine On Harvest Moon, 1913
Lovely take on a classic. Nice!
nice cover
The sailing moon is a wonderful image.
sail on, shine on – wonderful rework of the original.
For me, this read as a lyrical rap…perfect upbeat summer moon fun….thank you, William!
No apologies needed. This is so well composed, William.
Great parody!
I don’t think they’d think an apology was necessary!
soft summer moon
shines down on two lovers
casting one shadow
OH. MY. WORD. These few words tell a complete romantic story. WOWEE WOW WOW WOW. Brilliant, Candy! Brilliant!
Indeed so.
Thank you so very much!!
eleven words, one gem
Oh the single shadow… wonderful
Sweetly romantic. Love that one shadow.
Yes. Perfection.
A truly perfect haiku, Candy!
Yes, Candy!
HAIKU STRING:
I SEE THE MOON
does the moon up there
see me with its crater eyes
know my push and pull
ubiquitous moon
no matter the neighborhood
you’re shining up there
I can’t imagine
making a wish on a sky
empty of the moon
I send you my thanks
we kissed under your moonbeams
she said she loves me
in the palm of hand
God holds even the gold moon
from crashing to Earth
these eyes see the moon
a pale wafer, a gold ball,
a night-sky sentry
#
I admire these, especially the third.
I like the sense of a moon companion here.
I like all the different views of the moon here. Especially when the moon is so huge and it is seen everywhere.
Oh. Sigh. I love them all. An this:
“ubiquitous moon
no matter the neighborhood
you’re shining up there”
brings to the forefront the connectedness.
So beautiful, Sal.
Wonderful set of haiku, Sal. I particularly love the last one for its sense of whimsey.
Wonderful string of haiku, Salvatore!
A lovely haiku string. I can’t decided which one I like the most!
NIGHT TIME
when angels pull down
the shade of the night sky
and stars yawn awake
from daytime dreaming,
the moon takes again
her celestial throne
and with cratered eyes
surveys God’s Earth,
records in lunar beats
the ticking hearts of those
who surrender to nightfall
#
I have not commented nearly enough about how much I enjoy ALL of your work. It is of a professional quality and pleases me greatly
You can say that again.
We are all just writers of poems we hope are worthy of lifting the spirits of those who read us.
We do, we do… that surrender is what we crave
I so like the image of the angels pulling down their shades.
Love the idea of yawning stars…you personify so well, Sal. 🙂
Add my voice to those above, I love your works!
Summer Solstice
singing
leaping, twirling
laughing, weeping, loving
in euphoric summer welcome
moondance
Ah, this rates five Adelaides. Wonderful.
Thanks, William. I’m not exactly sure what Adelaides are (other than the non-plual version being a city in Australia), but Thanks.
Sorry, I was thinking of Adelaide Crapsey, who created the form you used.
Ah…5 Adelaides does sound much better than 5 Crapseys. 🙂
Oh I do love myself a good moondance… I’m howling now.
🙂
What a wonderful night for a moondance – wish I had originally said that but it is true.
That’s the line that popped into my head when I read the title of the prompt. Had to go with it. Great song, too!
Yes it is a great song. Glad you did go with it – perfect.
Thanks
Yes! Euphoric dance of life living. Beautiful expression.
Thanks, Hannah
And it’s a beautiful night for one! This poem really made me smile.
And it was a marvelous night for one too!
Ahhhh, lovely!
Pingback: Poem: Summer Solstice – Wanna Get Published, Write!
Summer Moon
We sit
in awe.
We watch
that coiled moon of gold.
A mirage that
migrates the tops of trees.
It pleases
those lavishes of summer,
those bees that sting
a summer moon.
Love the sense of that sting… wonderful
Thanks! 🐝
This is so very good and that stinging of the bees the summer moon – what a truly unique thought – like it is a huge golden flower.
Yes, that’s what I was aiming for. 🙂
Reminds me of my youth, walking under an elm tree canopy, spying the moon, occasionally
It’s funny how the moon can dip in and out of sight like that. Our sliver of a moon was bright red last night. Quite stunning.
The “tops of trees” image resonates most with me. Lovely work, this.
Thank you, William. 🙂
The awe…indeed. Misky…you illuminate the beauty of this moon so well…So enjoy the inclusion of bees as well.
I love, ‘coiled moon of gold.’
‘those bees that sting a summer moon’ love this!
SHARING THE MOON
Soft summer breezes wafting,
a gentle sifting through the poplar branches.
It enhances the night as I am serenaded
by cicada bugs and the distant rumble
of locomotive engines. Humbled by the expansive
evening sky, I am mesmerized. The lure of lunar
luminance draws my glances on the odd chance
that someone else eyes this same satellite.
It is a great night and it feels right to share
this scene. Over a distance, the same moon
is simultaneously viewed – together, a bond
brightly borne. Come morning,
before the promise of a new day, the display
of this starlit night brings you both to this moment.
Under this shared summer sky; a his and hers moon;
we take joint custody of a shared passion
© Walter J. Wojtanik – 2016
I think the sense of not being the only one watching the moon is great… yes we are connected watching our dear satellite…
I truly do like the thoughts of sharing the moon with someone else in another place. I like the connectedness of this.
The connection is universal. We all “own” a small piece of the moon and share the rest with everyone else!
Yes we do although some of us have the moon while the rest of us have the sun. But it is all good!
Love the intimacy in this shared moon. so beautiful.
Thanks Hannah!
Last two lines of this poem brought the idea of sharing close to heart.
East coast tied to west through a lunar lifeline, CH2!
I love the feel of that bond, of another watching the same moon.
What the moonlight tells me
Was there a glint of moonlight
in your eyes? a tender silver spilled
as tears from heaven; you that night
of early August, when we left to build
a future life too far apart; we promised
soon to write, but that alas we never did.
You found at university Adonis
and I found Aphrodite in Madrid.
But as I watch the moon’s reflection
I wonder if we made the right selections.
© Björn Rudberg – 2016
Oh those decisions that haunt us, those young loves…haunting touch of regret in this.
How well you weave the sad and the joyful
I hear this as a blues. Wonderful.
I hear you. Sometimes it’s so hard to be in this wondering space. The moon is there to illuminate. Love your poem, Bjorn…brings back memories.
There’s a haunting thought I have had many times.
Haunting indeed! Indecision looms large. Wrong decisions have a bigger footprint.
I do love this, Bjorn.
Pingback: What the moonlight tells me | Björn Rudbergs writings
Early Anniversary Card
We’re growing older,
married nearly 46 years now,
but it doesn’t mean
we’ve lost any of our wow.
We’ve had many tropical moons,
and several sleepy lagoons,
yet there’s no less love,
none that we lack,
and I still love you
to the moon and back.
Oh this is so sweet in the best sense of the word. What a lovely poem for the one you still love.
Yes, indeed.
Absolutely. Perfect love. Thank you, for sharing, Daniel.
Your wife is a lucky woman, Daniel.
I love the sense of growing old in love… it seems so uncommon these days.
Very romantic and heart filled, Daniel. I smile knowingly!
What a beautiful testament to long-lasting love 🙂
Classical haiku string about the summer moon. oborozuki is Japanese for hazy moon.
summer half moon drifts
in a sea of blue – floating
sakura petal
summer night sky – I
descry through blacker branches
oborozuki
luminescent pearl
worn by the night sky – baroque
purity enchants
the full moon flutters
on the surface of the pond
lone cicada sings
the summer moon bursts
from behind the clouds – startled
an owl takes flight
I’m so impressed.
Thank you. The moon does inspire us, doesn’t it?
Thank you so much, William.
The mystery and hidden obscurity of your moon strand is a delight, Toni. Thank you for your thought into this. ♥
Thank you so much!
Toni, these are stunning! luminescent pearl worn by the night sky. Imagery does not get more beautiful than this.
Thank you!
Fantastic series… you really made it visual with that owl in the last haiku.
Thank you. That one is my favorite.
I bow to your aplomb with this form and the gentle expression of each leg of this string, Toni!
Thank you.
I’m becoming a big fan
Thank you for these kind words
The Not So Silent Night
When the curtain of night
falls down around our ears
and the silence
is the only thing one hears,
you may think everyone slumbers
but as Luna rises
you can hear the quiet whispers
of creatures of all sizes.
The magic comes alive
as they appear to make merry,
whispers of songs and swooping
in the forest and on the prairie.
And when the moon herself must slumber
and she slowly slides away,
the silence is the only thing you hear
before the rising of the day.
Indeed those critters do move about at night. Love this and how you tied it all up in the last stanza.
Amen
I love this:
“you may think everyone slumbers
but as Luna rises
you can hear the quiet whispers
of creatures of all sizes”
Yes!
Love the mention of “Luna.”
I really enjoy how this feels like a portion of a children’s book on night-life. ;)!
Magic comes alive in this poem, Michelle.
Nocturnal bliss at best.
Beautiful, Michelle!
A great opening line, you had me hooked all the way through 🙂
Sight-Seeing Moon Seas
As my lunar lander orbits ever so low
Cruising over the barren surface below
Searching for the very best landing site
To land my lunar lander and take a hike
Or perhaps a ride in the lunar rover
On land that’s yet to be driven over
So very many seas for a moon so dry
I guess they look like seas from way up high
But on the surface they’re all just fields of dust
Vast expansions of powder grey rust
No waves or shores or sandcastles to play
Yet someone named them seas anyway
There’s the Serpent Sea with not one snake
The Foaming Sea with no foam that it makes
The Sea of Cleverness isn’t a joke
And the Sea of Vapors has no smoke
The Sea of Clouds with a clear black sky
And the Sea of Showers is eternally dry
The Sea of Cold lives up to its name
The Sea of Crisis is but a barren shame
The Sea of Nectar is void of any sweets
Now the Sea on the Edge sounds kinda’ neat
The Sea of Tranquility appears very serene
But how does that make the Sea of Serenity seem
So many seas and I can only choose one
I’ve found one that seems it just might be fun
One that has a name worth phoning home
It’s called the Sea That Has Become Known
What a very odd name to name a moon sea
I’ll land and explore it and name it for me
© Earl Parsons
Bingo! This is so enjoyable.
What a fun poem and love the cadence of it. I hope one day you will land and name it for yourself.
Love the inclusion of the sea., Earl.
Love the play on those names… indeed more barren than it would seem at first.
Stake your claim, Earl!
Summer moonlight shines
Rays from the full moon bathe me
I feel my hair grow
Love it!
Good one, Earl!
Ouch… and fangs and claws too I guess
Send some of that moon my way! Fun verse, Earl!
Pingback: Summer Moon Poem | Metaphors and Smiles
Summer Moon Poem
Lunar light has stretched her rays
silver stroke paints landscape
color slumbers under dark’s cover
but bright contrast is brought to life.
Moon brings blooms of field alive.
So, I say yes…arrive.
Night come – sun sleep
highlight all these hidden edges.
Help us to remember
why we love
beauty
in changing days.
Copyright © Hannah Gosselin 2016
I love it at night when everything is silver and black. This is such a grouping of wonderful night images, all of which I love.
Oh, thank you!! Glad you enjoyed this. 🙂
It fascinates me that you point out how the “silver stroke” enhances contrast. That’s why moonlight seems so bright, I think. Wonderful work, in my opinion.
I feel honored to receive your compliments, William, thank you. 🙂
I love, ‘highlight all those hidden edges.’
Thank you, Sara…you picked my favorite bit, too! 🙂
Oh I do love the sense of beauty… indeed changes, as moon represent changes in August….
Thank you, Bjorn! 🙂
Reads like a black velvet painting! So expressive and visual!
Oh…I love those…my grandmother had one when I was growing up. Thank you!
I often welcome the night, to see the moon shine in all its glory.
Pingback: Andromeda – Poetic Bloomings | Freya Writes…
What a beautiful prompt, and such lovely work here!
I thought I’d give it a try:
https://freyawrites.com/2016/07/10/andromeda-poetic-bloomings/
Where the sea and night sky are stitched together
all is still as a millpond, all is calm
and the moon is reflected perfectly
an uninterrupted disc.
Suspended above and below,
you can hardly tell which is real
and which is facsimile.
But here, at the shoreline
white horses hiss against the shingle
flotsam and jetsam are flung at my feet
as my toes grip to find purchase in the shifting sand.
In my pensive mood, I think of us, of you, of me
and how to onlookers, we appeared so at one.
If only they had looked closer,
if only we had taken the time,
we would have seen the breakers
and the Sea of Tranquility
might have been saved.
For me, this built up suspense beautifully.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much, William!
I enjoy especially the stitching together of sky and sea. Powerful poem.
Thank you, Hannah.
If only…the Sea of Tranquility might have been saved….powerful last sentence.
I’m glad you enjoyed it – that last line was meant to pack a punch.
Wonderful build up in this poem, Freya. Glad you decided to post here.
Thank you! I’m glad I found you all 🙂
Oh.. I do love the use of facsimile… what a wonderful metaphor for the magic of a moonlit shore.
Thank you, Bjorn. I do like to use unexpected words where I can.
Hey! Welcome Freya! A wonderful contribution to our moo dance! Love it!
Thank you, Walt! 🙂
Hint of Summer Moonlight
‘Twas only the summer moonlight
caused a fire wild and free
she said, and stars of heaven bright.
‘Twas only the summer moonlight
or I should have taken flight
in the carriage they sent for me.
‘Twas only the summer moonlight
caused a fire wild and free
What a wonderful matching of imagery and form.
The moon is SO good like that. Love it Sara!
Love, love, love. My favorite of yours this month. So enjoy a poem that sings
Thank you kindly seedlings!
A lovely triolet… the moon has it’s way to capture us.
Sweet bit here, Sara! Triolet well done!
Gosh, this is beautiful!
Here’s a recycled one for this prompt…dedicated to my friends who live in the far north hemisphere!
https://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2014/09/20/moons-respite/
I’m catching up on the weekend prompts, so I’ll post a new one shortly.
Pingback: Respite | echoes from the silence
To see the poem with accompanying photo, go here:
https://whenwordsescape.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/respite/
RESPITE
Summer heat
is unbearable.
Wilting, I
find relief
hiding in the shadows of
the mid-summer moon.
Sometimes it feels like that here in the UK, when summer has been mostly wet, and then we get a scorching hot day! It made me smile 🙂
Nice shadows to hide within, Paula! I pray for snow in July!
summer moon
haiku
summer moonlight kiss
stars nod in silent accord
lone coyote howls
https://liv2write2day.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/summer-moon-poetic-bloomings-day-11/
Ah, lovely, Victoria.
The coyote adds much to this magnificently rendered poem, Victoria!