Strike of match
leaf departing tree
fall of flint and ash
sizzling flags set free.
Skittering bones, we
trudge the season’s catacombs.

Woods exchange blows
their yellowing begins
but before branches thin
winds lift a finger, referee,
points our focus
to the cackling within.

© khartless 2021, All Rights Reserved


Artwork: Melanie DanielStill Falling 4 U (2021)

d’Verse’s Monday Quadrille: Ashes to Ashes asks us to write a 44 word poem using the word ash. Join us.

40 responses to “Ashes are for Remembrance”

  1. Danny Whack! Avatar
    Danny Whack!

    Excuse me while i-
      ☆。*。☆。
     ★。\|/。★
      INTERACT
     ★。/|\。★
      ☆。*。☆。

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sweet, my first blog explosion, and I am so pleased. Thank you very kindly, Danny.

      Like

  2. A great poem. Is the painting your work? The fires that burn seem to be happening year after year! Very sad to see happening

    Like

    1. Thank you kindly, Dwight. Yes, these fires seem to be changing so much, and yet we continue on in the same ways. No, the artwork is by Melanie Daniel, Still Falling 4 U (2021). Just checking now to make sure I left a link to her gallery in the comments. I saw her artwork recently. Breathtaking.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome! Very nice work on both counts.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks, Dwight. Please view her gallery if you have time. Much to enjoy.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I will!

        Like

      4. Very nice!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Gillena Cox Avatar
      Gillena Cox

      “we
      trudge the season’s catacombs.”

      Luv that line.
      Thanks for dropping by to read mine

      Much💜love

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My pleasure. I also love that line. Many thanks.

        Like

  3. WildChild47 Avatar
    WildChild47

    I like the layers here – and the different point of view – both as witness to these events, as well as the shift – the idea of the wind being a referee after the woods exchange blows, and begin yellow bruising – the particular way you’ve phrased it is really exquisite – definitely fresh and imaginative – lovely quadrille!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you kindly, WildChild. Actually composed quite a bit of this walking the woods near our home this evening. Just jotted down all that came to me and let it simmer down a bit. So glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. WildChild47 Avatar
        WildChild47

        it’s very rich and for a “jumble” of thoughts gathered, you’ve carefully crafted, resulting in something very wonderful – cheers!

        Like

  4. It feels like autumn forests and the leaves changing colors and falling but there is a subtext of a struggle as well. It’s a pleasant mix of images, and I also like the image you chose. Will check out the link for more of the artist’s works.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much, Lisa. Each fall has a different flavor for me, and I’m liking this years slow burn very much.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome.

        Like

  5. We care.
    This poem is relatable. So touching. And the video and music. Wonderful collab you leave us with. So lovely. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you kindly, Selma. The video spring to mind yesterday evening, and the artist is seen recently in gallery. Im so glad you liked this trio together.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Totally cool trio. 👏

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you. ☺️

        Like

  6. This is autumn right on the edge of winter – the violence of leaf-loss, the proximity of the crone. it’s getting dark out there, and those leaves are the last flags of the light. Such an atmospheric write. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you kindly for hosting, Sarah. I really enjoyed the prompt and the wide variety of quadrilles created. A few more to read this afternoon.

      Like

  7. Brilliant and unique. Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you kindly, Tom. Took time to listen yesterday. It was lovely here.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Fantastic:


    departing…

    sizzling…
    Skittering…

    yellowing…

    cackling…

    This poem just flowed, KH!


    David

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, David. I realize that just going out and being present is often the best inspiration available.

      Like

  9. Another darkly prophetic poem. I love the scattered rhymes, amost like sparks and flames shooting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you kindly, Jane. Lots of wind here yesterday and I could hear this smoldering above in the canopy.

      Like

      1. It’s that time of year…

        Like

  10. I love the sense of life in change here, of activity and also of letting go as trees do, to meet the latest factor. I especially like the last two lines of the first stanza–sums the season up in a nutshell–or a skittering leaf.

    Like

  11. This is a perfect autumn poem–the blaze of fire-colors, the wind, the catacombs.
    I like the mix of beauty and darkness, which describes this time of year so well.

    Like

  12. You evoke a perfectly spooky atmosphere, perfect for the season!

    Like

  13. Great piece! Loved this line, “Skittering bones, we trudge the season’s catacombs” so descriptive and that bit of rhyme is so natural. 💗

    Like

  14. I love these lines, K.
    “Skittering bones, we
    trudge the season’s catacombs.” So beautifully done and a great complement to the art.
    pax,
    dora

    Like

  15. I love the sense of movement here… sometimes autumn seems so passive, but you have captured the struggle, with your active words. It reminds me of Dylan Tomas, and not go gently…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So kind, and thank you, Björn. I am most in my element in the fall. Always find the smells and sights to be most appealing to my muse. Love Dylan, will be much bolstered by comparison. Cheers!

      Like

  16. sanaarizvi Avatar
    sanaarizvi

    “Woods exchange blows their yellowing begins but before branches thin winds lift a finger,”.. This is absolutely stunning! You have portrayed Autumn and the transition that it brings along with it so well! 💝💝

    Like

  17. Stunning autumn poem filled with movements and striking images. Love this part best:

    winds lift a finger, referee,
    points our focus
    to the cackling within.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Many thanks, Grace. It was so windy the tree’s lifted up a frond like a finger. Seemed to be saying just that.

      Like

  18. You had me at the very first line. Wonderful!

    Like

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