When Sea and Sky are One: Chicago Coast Horizon Poem

Hazy Horizon Optical Illusion was influenced by Admin’s recent flight over Chicago, when haze on the horizon meant that it was impossible to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.

The photos below were taken just after the initial approach to the lake, which inspired the top half of the poem and its idea.

Poem Structure

The poem mirrors either side of the folding middle line with words per line:
8-4-5-6-6-5 (7) 5-6-6-5-4-8

The Poem

Hazy Horizon Optical Illusion

memory tells mind water is horizontal not vertical
but vision cannot confirm
I can see the shore
but where does optical ocean end
and endlessly expanding deep space begin
amongst daylight cyan cream dreamscape

haze rays daze, where is the horizon?

aeroplaning above sunglow coast corner
sand stretching north right provides context
sea and sky elementary separate away
air and water clearly apart
normal service is restored
eyes reassure brain it isn’t vertical but horizontal

Italian Holiday Poem by Wendy Webb

I’m pleased to say that we have another Folding Mirror poem by Wendy Webb today, which was inspired by taking time out to watch the world go by on an Italian holiday. Wendy is an integral part of the Norfolk Poets, and editor of the Tips for Writers and Etips magazines. Thanks to Wendy for creating the poem and sharing it here.

The Poem

PUNTA DELLA DOGANA

The Chiesa San Maria della Salute stands

a pompous isthmus on the Grande Canal.

Beyond that lantern, proudly, with raised hand,

a boy smiles on the Punta della Dogana.

He holds a wriggling frog – a match for David –

there where the world salutes his mischief/pose.

Salute and smile, then, balancing in Venice

leap ashore, don’t topple the traghetto.

At San Marco Vallaresso – remember – in Harry’s Bar:

leap ashore, don’t topple the traghetto.

Salute and smile, then, balancing in Venice

there where the world salutes his mischief/pose.

He holds a wriggling frog – a match for David –

a boy smiles on the Punta della Dogana.

Beyond that lantern, proudly, with raised hand,

a pompous isthmus on the Grande Canal.

The Chiesa San Maria della Salute stands.

Iceland Volcano Poem

This FM was inspired by the ongoing news story concerning the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano on Iceland. It is of course a disaster for those on the island, and also those stranded in airports, and best wishes to everybody and everything involved.

Poem Explanation

The poem uses metaphor with the human head and body, and also draws on a little Norse mythology.

Poem Structure

The poem mirrors in words per line: 6-4-4-6 (7) 6-4-4-6.

The Poem

The Skull of Eyjafjallajokull

smoke fills the cold Icelandic air
ash particles create nightmare
hel’s clouds escape Eyjafjallajokull
like steam escaping a human skull

At Earth’s crater meet high and low

from rocky throat phlegms molten lava
crimson and gold saliva
risen up magma chamber
the planet’s cough brings fiery danger

I researched the poem on Wikipedia’s volcano information
A Folding Mirror photo of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano eruption (the volcano appears as a line of black amongst the white and grey mountains and sky, with reddish colours from the volcano lava mirrored with the setting sun).

Sunrise Poem: When a New Day Washes the Old Away

This FM was inspired by some time spent in that dawn void between night and day as you wait for the sun to rise, and then its announcement of a new day upon us when it does rise.

Hopes Rise With the Sun

old day hangs in air
memory ghosts tangled in hair
the world slumbers
before the dawn chorus

sunrise brings bright new clarity

yesterday is washed away
as light awakens
silence is golden when watching
hopes rise on new day

Folding Mirror Recognised as a New Poetry Form

Amazing news for the Folding Mirror poetry form, and all those who have contributed and supported it here and elsewhere.

After Caroline Gill alerted admin to the opportunity, I sent off some details and examples to Lewis Turco, who is considered to be one of the highest authorities on poetry after the publishing of his The Book on Forms, and it subsequently becoming regarded as the book of reference for poetry forms.

I’m very happy to let you know that Lewis Turco has now accepted the Folding Mirror as a new poetry form, and included it’s description and poem examples by Caroline Gill and Claire Knight on his website of new odd and invented forms. The list is in alphabetical order, and the Folding Mirror appears under that name. The website is a gathering place for new forms, and there could be a new book that includes them in the near future.

I hope you enjoy visiting the site, and thanks again to everybody who has made it possible. Have a great weekend!

Easter Rhymes For Less Than Dimes Created In Between Chimes

Thought I’d do a quick FM poem with stream of conscious literary nonsense.

Enjoy, and Happy Easter!

Easter Nonsense

snakes use ladders
barnacle bladders
body of sea
liquid de honey

makes you wanna wee

dram of whisky
makes you frisky
horse foals
jump over holes

Folding Mirror Research Article in April ETips Magazine

Admin’s research into the first seventy-six poems on this site has been published in the April Etips, which is available for free from the Norfolk Poets link to your left if you sign up.

Happy Easter/Holiday!