Soft Moonlight...

Soft Moonlight...

Soft moonlight drapes the mighty oaks in silver finery...

Droplets cast from heaven's brow

Christens soft the fruitful bough

And every silken web endows with purest filigree.

~

Unto this twilight fantasy, a knight didst find his way...

Weariness claimed swift his strength,

Bidding him to rest at length

Upon this ever verdant bank where crystal waters play.

~

Delicate as summer wind, voices rise in unison...

Night song drifting sweet and clear

Capturing the mortal ear,

Whispering, "Thou need not fear of evil in this garden".

~

They move in true fluidity, no ripple do they make...

Effortless their movements seem

Languid, soft...as of a dream,

Impossibility agleam, sweet ladies of the lake.

~

Their eyes reflect the deepest blue of this eternal stage...

Flawless skin and darkly tressed,

Water beading on white breasts,

An image evermore impressed upon enchantment's page.

~

They weave a mist of winter breath, concealing his repose...

And from the shadows they shall press,

Darkness seeking to undress

The sanctity of God's success, and his good faith depose.

~

Yet, evil shall not purchase find upon this questing knight...

For his heart is love fine spun,

Serving faithfully but one

Who shall remain his brilliant sun, despite absence of light.

~

Upon this earthen bed he lay, bare skin soft grasses score...

His warmth, like sweetest pleasure blooms

As they breathe deep of his perfume,

Whilst every nuance they consume...and greedily seek more.

~

Casting off the sleepy shroud that Morpheus doth favour...

Dreaminess and truth enmesh

Glistening and dewy fresh,

Angel's given fairest flesh to cause his voice to waver.

~

In wonderment at water's edge, he reaches out to them...

Gazing as they gently glide

Through the lilies, to his side,

Absent of all worldly pride and lovely as a poem.

~

With but a touch, all sweet sensation was made known to him...

Twinkling brightly as it poured,

Plucking soft a vibrant chord,

Flooding swift this mortal's blood for the beauteous seraphim.

~

Their voices drift melodious unto his willing ear...

Forming doubt into belief,

Bending fear into relief,

Unguarded hearts waiting a thief to teach them love sincere.

~

His body slips into cool water, led by questing hands...

But his thoughts are of his love,

As he fights to rise above

The pleasure he is servant of and his weakness demands.

~

Their kisses hold the breath of life and by them he is fed...

As he spirals ever deep,

Bound in arms that wish to keep

The secret of his dreamless sleep, in this their watery bed.

~

The silken silence cradles him, though he fights to be freed...

Letting loose a flood of tears,

Anguish that no mortal hears,

Muted suppression of his fears as they begin to seed.

~

Within a lover's soulful cry, this knight didst fair exclaim...

Issued softly as a plea,

Growing with intensity,

Until the waters fairly bleed his sweet beloved's name.

~

As sudden as he was enticed, so was his prompt release...

Arcing as a bird in flight,

Bursting through the surface light,

His gasping breath begging respite, of this his last caprice.

~

Within these faerie-laden woods, his puzzled mind doth ache...

Everything that went amiss

From the time their eyes met his,

He shall not remember this...the ladies of the lake.

~

From deep within their hidden realm, they watch him then depart...

Confident that there shall be

Other knight's as brave as he,

Swift to enchant and shall not flee, the secrets they impart.

Reviews

[¿]

Soft Moonlight...twas soft and mellow to read!
That 16th stanza here....wonderfully crafted....thanks for sharing this one...twas a lovely read :)

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

You are incredibly kind...thank you, most sincerely. I am happy that you find my poetry pleasing to read. :)
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[¿]

You're warmly welcome, sweet Ahnjolie...I bet you bear a great writer in you! :)

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

I am very ordinary...but, I thank you for the kind confidence. It is much appreciated. :)
Ahnjolie

[¿]

Faith on you... :)

[Wolf Beaumont]

This is all but a ballad and it's stunning. From one lover of words to another, I'm humbled. The waters of Avalon have never tasted so sweet. The elegance of your fluidity of your rhythm and pace are matched only by the lucid imagery brought to mind.

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

You are much too generous with your kind words...but, thank you, most sincerely. :)
Ahnjolie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

not just brave but quite capable of loving softly as well.

I really like this...reminds me of some very old ballad poetry i used to read in poetry classes...

you have a knack for this style...
j.

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

You are incredibly sweet...thank you for the kind words. I realise that my poetry is not 'mainstream', but I am happy that you found it to be pleasing... thank you. :)
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[humbleServant]

absolutely beautiful!!! applause!!!!

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Smiling...thank you for such an enthusiastic response. :) I am most appreciative.
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Kurai]

This was absolutely gorgeous to read. The rhythm of the poem did not falter once throughout the reading, and I was entranced within the story. This was beautiful.

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Thank you, most sincerely, for your kind words I am honoured that you found it worthy enough to share your thoughts with me. :) Thank you.
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Relic]

When I first read this Dracula came to mind. The mythology of castles, maidens, and evil spirits stand out in this piece to me. Your command of rhythm and syntax is amazing. You speak with eloquence and maturity not a lot of poets on this site have. I'm glad you're here. :)

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

You are so very kind to me, thank you. I am happy that I am 'here', as well...and that I have had the good fortune to have made your acquaintance. :)
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[ohiojohn]

Brilliant,Brilliant,Brilliant!

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Smiling...thank you, love... I am honoured by your enthusiasm. You are most kind. Ahnjolie

[KCthelastboyscout]

This is beyond my imagination to write something so beautiful. This is one of the most enchanting poems I've ever read on this site.Almost Shakespearean.
Bravo!!!

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

You are much too kind to me...thank you. Your writings are representative of you...and that is as it should be. That is why you are admired for the beautiful poetry you create...because they are of your heart and your experiences. Thank you, again...I am happy that you found my words to be pleasing. :)
Soft smiles for you...
Ahnjolie

[Judy Emery/ Lilly Emery]

When I read your words, they touched my inner soul of what a poetic spirit is all about, the beauty of each emotional line is music to the heart, the spirit of true imaginations. I would like to say that you for your time and energy for writing this poem.

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Smiling...thank you, Lilly, for such very kind words.
I am truly happy that you were able to feel as I do every time I put pen to paper. It is almost as if I hear a melody with the placement of each word...and the entire time...it feels as if I had not taken a breath. :) Thank you, again...most sincerely. Ahnjolie

[Richard🖌]

Ohhh-MY, Ahnjolie!
How beautifully and vividly you've painted this terrifically wondrous scene into my mind, my heart, soul, desires, and emotions.
Your Redondilla-like abb/b-a Envelope verses, flowing as smoothly as warm, wet silk in a summer's breeze, completely mesmerized my senses, pulling me deeply into your moments -- as though you'd reached inside my skin to touch and caress every place.
There is such a wispy, ethereal feel to the ambience of this piece that all the world around dissipated into the mystical enthrallment of your blissfully dreamlike, sensual words.
I could feel the ladies of the lake's temptations urging, pulling, arousing, dissolving his resolve to remain faithful to his heart's one true love, as though I were this brave knight, himself.
There are just too many captivating lines to single one out, but the rhythm and imagery breathing in this verse particularly struck and embraced my smitten imagination most deeply, as so many more did, too:
"Their eyes reflect the deepest blue of this eternal stage...
Flawless skin and darkly tressed,
Water beading on white breasts,
An image evermore impressed upon enchantment's page."
I added an apostrophe and noted the only less than spot-on rhyme was in the last verse, first and forth lines:
Perhaps,
"From deep within their hidden realm, they watch him then depart...
Confident that there shall be
Other knight's as brave as he,
Swift to enchant and shall not flee, the secrets they impart."

Still floating in a state of enchantment …
Ahnjolie, there is no doubt, whatsoever, every word, line, and verse were derived from the strokes of a master poetess' fertile mind and glowing pen, I humbly, most gratefully, bow … whew! ⁓ Richard

[Ahnjolie McKenna]

Smiling... Dear Richard,
You have left me utterly speechless...and blushing...with such kind words. I have taken your advice and made the correction as you suggested. I am pleased that you enjoyed it so very much...but, again...'thank you' seems so inadequate.
Soft smiles for you... Ahnjolie

[Richard🖌]

My thanks is the joy of reading you, Ahnjolie … ever-so gratefully, yours! : )