Fading of Legends

Cherry

By marandina

Tue, 18 Jan 2022
  • 2735 reads
17 comments
 

An imagist poem

Audio version at https://soundcloud.com/user-62051685/fading-of-legends-mp3

 

Fading of Legends

 

Cassiopeia in robes of silver,

night wears an obsidian cloak

made from cloth of onyx,

reading a journal of gold-leaf.

Shafts of moonlight-dreams,

memories lost, untold millennia,

torrents that turned to trickles,

tales forged under dark skies

to signposts marked “eternity”.

Now graveyard stories.

 

Image free to use via WikiCommons at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassiopeia_(constellation)#/media/File:Cassieopeia.jpg

Certificate PG
Poem
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by HarryC on

Cassiopeia - 'the big double-you!'

One of the few constellations I can remember, because of the shape.

A first reading has resonated with my own thoughts at this time.  I may not be able to decode the images, but there's an immediate emotional response nonetheless.

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading it, HarryC. Cassiopeia a constellation and part of the night sky which, in the context of this poem, marks the passing of time and the fading of myths and legends. It's just me trying imagism which, as you probably already know, is a style devoted to avoiding literal themes and more about imagery. I hope it scans OK. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Turlough on

Excellent words to describe a woman of great beauty from so long, long ago. Even without including her name they would have suggested mythology. 

 

Turlough

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Turlough. Yes, Cassiopeia being the queen of Aethiopia, was beautiful and vain. This poem could be interpreted as about her or the constellation of the same name. Either way, it's about the passing of time and the fading of legends, Cassiopeia being a legend in herself and Greek myth. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by donignacio on

Completely unrelated but I swear I saw Cassiopeia in my dream last night, then to come here and read a poem about it. (I studied astronomy for a science competition in high school.) I love the imagery you have throughout this... makes a really great read!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Cheers donignacio. If your saw imagery in this poem then that makes me happy. Constellations in dreams sounds like a pending story for you. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by celticman on

time doesn't touch the stars. Only us. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

This is true, CM. Thanks for reading it. Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

I think these lines sum up the poem for me:-

Shafts of moonlight-dreams,

memories lost, untold millennia,

torrents that turned to trickles,

tales forged under dark skies

to signposts marked eternity

now graveyard stories.

 

Also:-

night wears an obsidian cloak

made from cloth of onyx,

this is a brilliant metaphor. leaving the reader to think about the mysteries behind Cassiopeia. 

Imaginative and very well put together.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading it, Jenny. It's a journey into imagism so a new horizon. I think. Thanks again. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Really enjoyed this one. Old legends become myths? Is it so Paul? This is a very good poem working on some more stuff myself no mathematics for now.

Cheers, Pal! Tom

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you for reading it, Tom. No mathematics?! Looking forward to your new work. Paul

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Some good figurative language in there. Nice, going for the Greek mythology stuff too. Well-themed. Congrats on the cherries.

GGHades502

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, Hades. Paul

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

 

I enjoyed reading the poem, and marvelled as usual at your choice of words.

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks very much for reading it, Jean. Take care. Paul