al fresco

al fresco - open air theatre.

Photo By Robby Batte at ShutterBatte Photography

al fresco

What mode is presented thine muse

upon gathering this backdrop's palette?

For the tone is abstract by pondering,

Its collodian color balance 

could not have been

more perfect.

How now decide this display?

Thou gradients don the heavens; 

thou divine disport candidly captures 

a moment stilled by the imagination.

How palatial placed cedars 

grace their audience aromatic

without facade beyond the bovine grazing.

This scene will certainly not fold.

How did you conspire with moon

to cross above table before the stars arrived?

Its cameo is certain to be obvious.

Were it to be dead center stage,

I suppose mine eyes

would not precipitate the way

they are threatening to now.

Author's Note

This photo was taken by my nearly lifelong friend Robbie Batte. He shares my love for our area with a similar passion. He has the blessed talent of capturing its grace in stills where I attempt its expressions in verse. Please visit the link I included above the photograph. It would definitely be worth reviewing. Cheers!

Reviews

[Bright Ocean Star]

Xavier, your poetry is beautiful and inspiring. It is obvious you have a deep love for this place, and your friend's photos capture the beauty as well. "How did you conspire with the moon to cross above table before the stars arrived." I have a huge weakness for lunar anything. I love pictures of the moon, poetry of the moon and stars get me every time. Thank you for sharing!

[kublakhan27]

Your words are lilting and picturesque...I felt as though I was among the cedars, taking in the forest scent beneath the moon and incoming night stars. I love the Elizabethan language as well...it compliments the nature theme perfectly, which was a much more predominant theme in the literary eras of the past. It's nice to see it revisited by a modern writer...great stuff :)

[m.s.early]

Thank you very much for that gracious review. It touched me deeply.

[Vidya Bacchus]

Ooooh Xavier you are such a wordsmith sigh.Such great lines ,such a lovely picture :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Photo and words are amazing. Always a show for people who open their eyes to see. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[B.J]

Brilliant words I could sense the love and the passion of the land where you live. Like here in the Barossa South Australia. Will check out your friends site

[m.s.early]

Thank you Barb. It seems the older I get, the more tied to this land I become :)

[B.J]

Yes we do great work

[AYVID N]

This is beautiful, this is stunning, this is divine. Applauding you Xavier.

[m.s.early]

Thank you for that lovely review Divya :)

[AYVID N]

You are most welcome. Such pieces are rare works of art. Preserve and cherish them.

[Linda alexander]

Its collodian color balance
could not have been
more perfect.
I want to be there where the picture is taken, one and one equals eleven, synergistic effect of painting, real photography, poetic view, what a treat to readers, thank you so much for sharing

[m.s.early]

Well come on down to the Commonwealth Linda. We'll give you a tour of the place :) Thank you for reading, friend :)

[Linda alexander]

Let me retire first, I will be there if everything goes well, you welcome, take care

[Ahena MK]

Really really really really good !!!!!!!!!!

[m.s.early]

Thank you so much Ahena :)

[Shirlena]

That is a stunningly gorgeous image...of course the picture really grabbed my attention (almost Purple sky). I almost gasped out loud (at work). I don't think I've ever seen anything like it and before the words hit my tongue, I'm remembering yes I have...on my computer as wall paper. Wish I could show it to you anyway, I admire that you are good at the old English Shakespearean slanted language...it more than sufficiently captures the beauty of the scenery. Breath-taking.

[m.s.early]

That's what really caught my attention... that and all the colors are in the same palette. It's a beautiful scene on one of the high points in Lunenburg County.