The Truth About Tigers

occasional musings and free verse poetry, approximately

Midnight Cremation


To thee, who grasp this starry hold,
Where pines stand guard as fates unfold,
‘Neath winter’s sky, they gather tight,
A veil of cloud obscures the night.

Tales are carved from lessons of old,
Treasure locked tight like dead men’s souls.
Who tread this path of fault and fear,
As shadows stretch and flames draw near.

In moonsets soft, where whispers wend,
From smoke-kissed glades, do dreams ascend,
By flicker’d flame and ancient fire,
Cold winds fan the funeral pyre.

As embers rise chased by burning breath,
A peace falls over this dance with death.
To thee, who grasp as fates unfold,
Tales are carved from dead men’s souls.

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Published by

Nick Allison

Responses

  1. Nick Allison Avatar
    Nick Allison

    A question for my fellow (more experienced!) poets:

    As a relatively new poet, deeply influenced by my love for the evocative works of Billy Collins, William Carlos Williams, Ellen Bass, Carl Sandburg, and others, I’ve naturally gravitated towards non-rhyming free verse, drawn in by its expressive freedom. Recently, I’ve begun experimenting with introducing rhyme, while remaining within the form of free verse.

    This has prompted me to consider the most beneficial approach to developing as a poet. Is it advantageous for someone at the beginning of their poetic journey to immerse themselves in a variety of styles, experimenting with different forms, rhymes, and meters to uncover what truly speaks to them? Or is it preferable to concentrate on cultivating a style that feels instinctive, exploring its nuances thoroughly before branching out?

    I’m keen to gather insights from poets with more experience on this topic. Do you recommend embracing a broad exploration of poetic forms and techniques early on, or is there more to be gained from focusing intently on a single style to find/refine one’s voice?

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    1. dorahak Avatar
      dorahak

      Love this poem, Nick. Especially “In moonsets soft, where whispers wend,
      From smoke-kissed glades, do dreams ascend” —

      As for poetry advice, why not do both at the same time? Experiment always. You have to write reams before you get those stand-out ones, so what do you have to lose and you may gain a lot just playing with different forms. Compare Sylvia Plath’s “The Moon and the Yew Tree” for example with “Daddy.” So very different forms, one with end rhymes, the other not. Both Sylvia Plath, both home runs. My two cents worth. 😉

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      1. Nick Allison Avatar
        Nick Allison

        Thank you, Dora. This is great advice and an excellent example. I really appreciate your comment, which I value at worth much more than two cents! 😉

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  2. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    I don’t know what’s “better” ~ I think it depends upon your personal goals, Nick.

    Most poets that I’ve seen tend to gravitate towards free verse and only rarely experiment with forms… Sometimes they dabble a bit when responding to a poetry prompt, but that’s about it.

    My journey began with an exploration of forms, primarily because I knew/know so little about poetry… And even when I write free verse, those many forms inform (no pun intended) the way I compose my verses.

    ~David

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    1. Nick Allison Avatar
      Nick Allison

      Thank you, David. That makes sense.

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